Additional Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements
Transfer Credits – Transfer credits (including those from foreign institutions) that apply toward the student’s degree may be placed within the SAP policy quantitative and maximum time frame requirements.
Change of Major – A student that changes their major must submit a degree checklist signed by their Department Dean or Academic Advisor outlining the number of credits needed to obtain the changed degree. The maximum time frame will be calculated based upon the submission of the new requirement for graduation. Students changing their major must be mindful of the max Pell Grant Requirement.
Second-Degree – Students pursuing a second degree must submit a degree plan listing what additional credits are required to obtain the second degree and may only receive funding up to the additional hours required. A written statement on why you are pursuing a second degree may be required as part of your SAP Appeal.
Dual Degree Program – Students may request in writing an extension of the maximum time frame policy if they are pursuing a dual degree and their reasons for pursuing one. An academic plan must be provided stating what coursework is required and the total number of credits needed to complete the dual degree program. Students in a dual degree program must be mindful of the max Pell Grant Requirement.
Repeating a Course – Allowable repeats include a failed course and a course the student has previously withdrawn from. Please note that the repeat course will count toward quantitative and maximum time frame requirements. Students may not receive financial aid funding to repeat a course that has been successfully completed.
Developmental coursework – Students may receive financial aid for up to 30 credit hours of developmental/remedial coursework. Developmental courses will count toward quantitative and maximum time frame requirements of this SAP policy.
Graduate students enrolled for undergraduate coursework – Graduate students may notreceive financial aid to take undergraduate coursework as these credits and hours will not apply toward their graduate degree program.
Professional Licensure – Students pursuing professional licensure are not eligible for financial aid unless they are admitted in a degree program.
Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Status Categories
GOOD Status
The aid recipient has maintained a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA for undergraduates and 3.0 GPA for graduates, has completed at least 67% of all attempted coursework and has not exceeded the150% maximum time-frame required to obtain their degree or certificate.
WARNING Status
At the end of the first semester of study, the aid recipient has not maintained a cumulative 2.0 GPA for undergraduates and 3.0 GPA for graduates, or has not completed at least 67% of all attempted coursework or is near the150% maximum time-frame required to obtain their degree or certificate.
Students who meet the GPA and quantitative credit completion rate requirements at the end of the warning semester may return to an academic status of “Good” Satisfactory Academic Progress.
SUSPENSION Status
Financial aid recipients placed on suspension are not eligible for financial aid. Students in any of the following three categories are considered to have an academic status of financial aid suspension:
- Students who are on financial aid warning and do not maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA (3.0 for graduates) at the end of the second semester will be placed on suspension.
- Students who are on financial aid warning and who do not complete at least 67% of their coursework at the end of the second semester will be placed on suspension.
- Students who reach or exceed the Maximum 150% Time-frame of their program will be placed on suspension.
PROBATION Status
Students that submit an Appeal Application that have their appeal approved are placed on One-Term Probation. Students must meet all SAP requirements while on probation to return to good standing. Should they fail to do so after the end of the probation period and/or violate the terms of their probation, they will be placed back on suspension and no longer eligible for financial aid or eligible to re-appeal.
Financial Aid Notification and Suspension Appeal Process
Students who are placed on financial aid warning and suspension will be notified via email and their myUDC student portal. Any student on suspension may appeal their status by completing a Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal. The Appeal MUST include the following:
- SAP Appeal Form, udc.edu/admissions/financial-aid/important-forms-and-information/– The student must understand the terms and requirements of the Appeal.
- Personal Statement Explaining Circumstance – The TYPED statement must explain why you failed to make satisfactory academic progress and what has changed that will allow you to make academic progress for the next period of study.
- Supporting Documentation – The student must submit documentation to support the personal statement
- Academic and Success Strategies Plan – The student must complete an Academic Plan and Success Strategies Plan. The plan must outline coursework and academic services the student will utilize to ensure academic success.
Appeal Review and Decision
The Financial Aid Appeal will be reviewed and the student will be notified in writing via their My.UDC student portal (my.udc.edu) of their appeal decision. APPEAL REVIEWS MAY TAKE UP TO TWO WEEKS BEFORE A DECISION IS RENDERED. Hence, students are encouraged to submit their appeal as early as possible should they wish to be reconsidered for aid prior to the start of their next semester of enrollment.
Appeals that are Approved
SUBMISSION OF AN APPEAL DOES NOT GUARANTEE APPROVAL!
If your appeal is approved, you will be placed on a ONE-TERM FINANCIAL AID PROBATION and will be allowed one enrollment period/semester of funding to bring your status up to the required minimum standards. Students may not withdraw, fail, or receive incompletes while on a one term probation. Students who make progress after their probationary semester may return to “good satisfactory academic progress” status or request a continued probation status if the student met the terms of their one term probation, but did not reach the cumulative GPA or completion rate requirements.
Students that fail to meet satisfactory academic progress requirements after their probation period will be placed back on suspension and will no longer be eligible for financial aid. Students may not re-appeal should they fail to meet SAP requirements during their probation period.
Appeals That Are Denied and Regaining Eligibility
Students whose appeals are denied will no longer be eligible for financial aid at UDC. Once a student becomes ineligible for financial aid, the student can regain eligibility* by completing the following:
- Achieve the required 67% quantitative cumulative course completion rate as described in this policy
- Achieve the minimum 2.0 GPA (3.0 for graduates) required to reestablish satisfactory academic progress
*Students who were denied an appeal for a maximum timeframe extension will not regain eligibility.
Students denied their appeal must meet these requirements at their own expense and complete a new Appeal Application should they wish to be reconsidered for financial aid. Eligibility cannot be re-established simply by being out of school for a set period of time or by paying for a certain number of courses with one’s own funds.
For additional information or questions about the UDC Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy please visit the Office of Financial Aid, 4200 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Building 39, Suite A-133, Washington, DC 20008.
