Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

To remain eligible to receive financial aid, students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). SAP standards are based on Academic policy and SAP assessment consists of both qualitative and quantitative measures.  

The qualitative measure stipulates that students must maintain the minimum cumulative GPA required to graduate from their program. 

The quantitative measure considers the pace of completion that will ensure students graduate within the maximum timeframe. In order to complete their program within the maximum timeframe (defined as 150% of the published length of the program, as measured in credit hours), students must satisfactorily complete 67% of credits that count toward the student's current program. All credits transferred into Western that count toward the student's current program will be included in the calculation as well. The calculation is as follows: Earned Credits divided by Attempted Credits (including courses with a grade of F, W (withdrawal), or I (incomplete). Credits attempted or earned for a course that is later repeated will not be included in the calculation.

SAP is reviewed for all students at the end of each semester, after grades are posted. Once a grade of I (Incomplete) is changed to a final grade, SAP will be re-assessed, which may result in a change of status for the semester. Students that did not make SAP will be notified. After the first time not making SAP, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Warning for the next semester, during which they remain eligible for financial aid. In the second consecutive semester not making SAP, the student is no longer eligible for financial aid. If there are extenuating circumstances, the student may submit a SAP Appeal, and if approved will be placed on Financial Aid Probation for the next semester, during which the student will be eligible for financial aid. 

SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC APPEAL FORM

Appeals will be reviewed by the Financial Aid Appeals Committee, and if approved, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Probation. Decisions by this committee are final. Probation can be  with a SAP Academic Plan (if the student will require more than one semester to meet SAP standards) or without a SAP Academic Plan (if the student should be able to meet SAP standards by the end of the next semester). In the former case, the student remains eligible for financial aid as long as they are meeting the requirements of the SAP Academic Plan when SAP is checked at the end of each semester. 

To regain eligibility for financial aid, a student must make the necessary improvements in GPA and/or pace of completion to meet SAP requirements.