College of Adult & Professional Studies

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy

Federal regulations require that all financial aid recipients progress at a reasonable rate ("make satisfactory progress") toward achieving a certificate or degree. This requirement applies to all semesters regardless of whether or not the student received financial aid. Progress is measured by the student's cumulative grade point average, credits earned in relation to those attempted, and the maximum time frame allowed to complete the academic program.

Cumulative Grade Point Average: Grade point average is monitored by the College of Adult & Professional Studies director of academic services. For information regarding the GPA requirement for continued enrollment, see the Academic Progress, Probation, and Dismissal section of the College of Adult & Professional Studies Catalog.

Cumulative Credits Earned: Each student must complete the minimum percentage of cumulative attempted credits as defined below:

	Cumulative Completion Percentage	Required Attempted Credits
	Fewer than 60	60%
	60-89	65%
	90 and above	67%

Maximum Time Frame: A student must complete his/her degree in a maximum of 183 attempted hours in a bachelor's degree program. Students are no longer eligible to receive financial aid after they have reached this maximum. For example: If a student has already attempted 175 credits, the student will only be aided for up to eight credits in the next term.

Earned credits, for purposes of this policy, are those in which the student earns a grade of A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, or S. (See: Grades of S and U section of the College of Adult & Professional Studies Catalog for maximum allowable credits graded under the S option.)

Notes:

State of Minnesota Financial Aid Programs: Satisfactory academic progress standards for state financial aid programs may be different from the above standards, depending on current state legislation.
Incomplete Classes: Courses assigned an incomplete grade are included in the cumulative credits attempted. These cannot be used as credits earned until a satisfactory grade is assigned.
Withdrawals: Courses from which the student withdraws after the 100 percent refund period are included in the cumulative credits attempted.
Repeated Classes: Repeated courses enable the student to achieve a higher cumulative grade point average. Credits attempted in repeated classes are included in the cumulative credits attempted. Credits earned in repeated classes are not included in the cumulative credits earned.
Transfer Students: All transfer credits accepted by Bethel, including credits earned through elective credit options, will be used in determining when the maximum time frame requirement has been reached. A student, however, may appeal to have only the credits accepted toward his/her Bethel degree included in the maximum time frame calculation. Transfer credits are also used when calculating the required completion percentage.
Second Undergraduate Degree Students: Students who already have a first baccalaureate degree are eligible for loans (not grants) if they are pursuing teacher licensure or a second degree. These students have an additional 183 attempted hours before exceeding the maximum time frame.

Financial Aid Probation and Termination

Students who do not meet the standards of the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy at the end of their second semester will automatically be placed on financial aid probation for the following semester. Financial aid may still be received during the probationary period. At the end of the probation period the student must again be making satisfactory academic progress as outlined above or financial aid will be terminated. Students will be removed from financial aid probation if they are again making satisfactory academic progress.

Students who are academically dismissed by the director of academic services (and not reinstated on appeal) are immediately terminated from financial aid, without a probation period.

Financial Aid Appeals

Students who fail to meet satisfactory academic progress standards and lose financial aid eligibility can appeal this decision. The appeal must be made in writing and should be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. Appeals should be submitted to the Office of University Financial Aid. Acceptable reasons for appeal might include injury or illness of the student, illness or death of an immediate relative of the student, or other extenuating circumstances beyond the student's control.

Re-establishing Financial Aid Eligibility

Students whose financial aid is terminated due to lack of satisfactory academic progress may choose to enroll without benefit of financial aid. Such students may request a review of their academic record after any semester in which they are enrolled without the receipt of financial aid to determine whether they have met the satisfactory academic progress standards. If the standards are met, financial aid eligibility is restored for subsequent terms of enrollment.

This is only a summary of the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy; therefore, students should consult with a financial aid counselor in the Office of University Financial Aid if they have any questions about this policy, the appeal process, or reinstatement of financial aid eligibility.