Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy for Federal Student Aid
Policy Number: To be assigned by the Policy Liaisons after approval by the Executive Policy Officers
I. Purpose of Policy
This policy was last revised prior to the current AVP in 2023. This revision includes the following changes:
- Additional compliance items that must be addressed include study abroad, academic amnesty, late grades, grade changes, the impact of double majors, minors, and concentrations.
- Moving to a warning system where we review grades each semester and provide students a warning semester, where they are asked to connect with an advisor before losing eligibility
- Standardized academic plan to expedite the process with continued communication with advising
- Max time frame measured in terms of 150% of the published program length measures in credits for undergraduate and calendar time for graduate; allowing an appeal
- Utilized online editor to lower readability score, making the policy more accessible, eliminating jargon where possible and more student-friendly
- Added language surrounding institutional aid and the financial aid guarantee
II. Scope
Students, staff, faculty
III. Definitions and Responsibilities
Defined below
IV. Policy
To be eligible for Federal Student Aid funds, the Federal Department of Education requires students make satisfactory academic progress while taking courses toward a degree or certificate program. The University must also have a reasonable policy for monitoring progress, which applies to all semesters a student is enrolled. Academic progress is measured by cumulative grade point average, percentage of credits successfully completed, and the time it takes to complete your program. Academic progress is checked at the end of each semester (fall, spring, and summer).
- NOTE: This policy does not include institutional or state financial aid funds. Institutional grants and scholarships are renewable and covered under the financial aid guarantee.
1.) Cumulative GPA Minimum Requirements
- Graduate students - 3.0
- Undergraduate - 2.0
The following grades are not calculated into GPA: AP, GM, I, NA, NG, P, U, W, Z (discontinued in Fall 2022), Audit
2.) Completion Rate/Pace
Students must have earned credit for at least 66.67% of the courses they attempt. This is measured by dividing the cumulative number of successfully completed credit hours by the cumulative number of credit hours attempted. Any accepted transfer credits also count towards accepted and completed credits.
(The following grades are not calculated in attempted credits – AP, NA, NG, Audit)
3.) Maximum Timeframe
Undergraduate Students: The maximum timeframe will be measured as 150% of the published program length measured in credits. For example, if the student is enrolled in a 120-credit program, the student may only receive financial aid for up to 180 credits in that program. All cumulative credits attempted and all transfer credits applicable to the student’s program of study are considered.
Graduate Students - The maximum timeframe will be measured in calendar time as listed below.
Master’s degree - Students must complete degree requirements within five (5) years, unless otherwise specified below.
Master’s program in NSSR economics - NSSR master's program graduate students who have completed 30 credits are no longer permitted to register for courses unless they have been formally accepted into a PhD program.
PhD - Students must complete degree requirements within ten (10) years, with the following exceptions and qualifications:
- PhD students pursuing a degree in Public and Urban Policy are expected to complete the degree within 8 years.
- PhD students who require more than the time limit above must apply for an extension with their department, subject to Dean’s Office approval.
- While the ten-year limit applies to the PhD in Clinical Psychology, based on departmental internal deadlines, and in order for the program to meet American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines, students in that program may be subject to warnings and probation prior to approaching the ten-year limit.
Academic Progress: Unique Scenarios
Academic Amnesty
All attempted credits will be included in the SAP evaluation. Grades that are forgiven through academic amnesty or grade forgiveness will be included. Academic amnesty does not entail 'financial aid amnesty' or the forgiveness of any debts incurred to date.
Change of Degree/Program, Double Majors, and Second Degrees (Undergraduate Students Only)
Students who change their degree are expected to complete all degree requirements before reaching 150% of the normal program completion. Double majors, minors, and concentrations may change a student's degree requirements and also the 150% threshold.
Incomplete, Audited, Non-credit, and Repeat Courses
Incomplete and repeated courses are counted in attempted credits. The final repeat counts in the GPA calculation. Audited courses, Non-credit courses, ESL, do not earn academic credit, are not eligible for financial aid, and are not evaluated in the review of the student's satisfactory academic progress.
Late Grades or Grade Changes
Upon notification or request by a student of a grade change or late grades posting in lieu of missing or Incomplete grades, the financial aid office will recalculate SAP status and award any federal aid for the current payment period.
Study Abroad
Credits earned through study abroad programs will be evaluated at the time TNS receives the transcript. All transfer credits are included in SAP evaluations.
Falling Below Financial Aid Academic Progress Standards
If you fall below any of the three academic progress standards, you will be notified by email to your TNS student email account and my.newschool.edu. You will be placed into either a warning or a suspension status for financial aid
- Warning Status
If you do not meet satisfactory academic progress standards, you will receive a financial aid warning. Once you are in financial aid warning status, you may continue to receive financial aid in the next semester, but will be expected to meet the minimum standards by the end of the next semester. Failure to meet the minimum standards after the warning term will result in financial aid suspension. - Financial Aid Suspension for Continued Unsatisfactory Progress
Your financial aid is suspended when you fail to meet the minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements for one or both of the following reasons: - You have been assigned a warning status, a probation status, or you are in a monitoring term after your probation, and you fail to meet the requirements of your warning status or academic plan.
- You have exceeded the maximum time frame limits for your degree.
Appealing Financial Aid for Unsatisfactory Academic Progress
If you experienced unique circumstances that affected your academic progress, you may submit a Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal. Extenuating circumstances include: personal serious illness or injury; the death, accident, or serious illness of an immediate family member or significant person in your life; other unique circumstance(s) beyond your control.
To appeal, you must complete the Financial Aid Academic Progress Appeal Form assigned to your account in my.newschool.edu, provide acceptable supporting documentation, and complete all required steps outlined on the form.
Things to consider when doing a SAP Appeal:
- Submission of an appeal does not guarantee approval or eligibility for financial aid.
- Subsequent appeals for the same reason are not permitted.
- One appeal for failing to meet the maximum time frame is permitted, subsequent appeals for the maximum time frame will not be considered
- Appeals submitted for consecutive semesters of poor academic progress will be considered very carefully.
- Lack of awareness of withdrawal policies or requirements for satisfactory academic progress, as well as unpreparedness for college courses, will not be accepted as reasons for the purpose of an appeal.
- Monitor your email: we may require additional information after the initial review.
The Financial Aid Academic Progress Appeal Form will require you to explain the following:
- The circumstance(s) that kept you from meeting the satisfactory academic progress standards for the term.
- Your plan for corrective action: explain what changes you have made that will allow you to be academically successful moving forward.
- Describe your current educational objectives and your plan for successfully achieving these goals at TNS.
Your appeal will not be reviewed unless all required items, including the SAP Appeal form AND the corresponding documentation, have been completed and submitted.
Academic Plan Status
If your appeal is approved you will be placed on an academic plan, your financial aid will be restored, and your progress will be monitored to ensure you are meeting the conditions of the plan. During academic plan status, you:
- Must follow the academic plan from your Academic Progress Appeal Form
- Successfully complete 75% of credits attempted
- Undergraduate students must maintain a minimum term GPA of 2.17 and graduate students 3.17
Failure to follow your academic plan and meet the above requirements will result in loss of federal financial funding for the following semesters.
Regaining Financial Aid Eligibility without an Appeal Approval
If you do not meet satisfactory academic progress requirements and choose to enroll at the College without financial aid assistance, we will check your progress at the end of that term of enrollment. At that time, if you meet the academic progress requirements, your eligibility for financial aid will be reinstated.
V. Policy Administration
Responsible University Official: Vice Provost for Enrollment Management
Responsible Office: Financial Aid Office
Contact Information: fevigs@newschool.edu
VI. Policy History
Effective Date: Date approved by the Executive Policy Officers
Last Reviewed Date: Date approved by the Executive Policy Officers
Next Review Date: Maximum of 5 years from the Effective Date
Revision History: Listing of all Material Changes and when they were made; non-material changes do not need to be tracked in the Revision History