![]() If so, a loss of aid eligibility might exacerbate the problem, forcing the student to drop out and move off-campus. Schools should consider whether there was a financial component to the student’s failure to make satisfactory academic progress. Such mitigating circumstances should be specified in the school’s written SAP policy. ![]() Likewise, if the student is one semester away from graduation, many schools will waive SAP requirements if they believe the student will make satisfactory progress and actually graduate at the end of the next semester. Even a learning disability, such as ADD/ADHD, can be the basis for a successful appeal, if it is severe enough to have caused the academic problems and is being treated medically. For example, a decline in performance can be caused by psychiatric, psychological and social problems and not just physical injury. But if there is a special circumstance that may reasonably be linked to the deterioration in the student’s academic performance, schools generally have wide latitude to waive the SAP requirements. ![]() Generally speaking, there should be a causal link between the special circumstances and the poor academic performance. When a student fails to satisfy the SAP requirements, they may regain eligibility for federal student aid by either achieving academic standing in any grading period consistent with the requirements for graduation or by filing for and being granted a SAP appeal by the school.Ī SAP appeal may be based on undue hardship when the failure to make satisfactory academic program is caused by the death of a relative of the student, severe personal injury or illness of the student, or other special circumstances determined by the school. SAP is defined as having a cumulative C average or the equivalent, or academic standing consistent with the school’s requirements for graduation. Schools are required to review the academic progress at least once a year at the end of the year. Section 484(a)(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 requires a student to be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in order to be eligible for any Title IV federal student aid.
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