Graduate School

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 Graduate School director of academic services. For information regarding the GPA requirement for continued enrollment, see the Academic Progress, Probation, and Dismissal section of the Graduate School Catalog.

Cumulative Credits Earned: Each student must satisfactorily complete at least 67 percent of cumulative attempted credits.

Maximum Time Frame: A student must complete his/her degree in a maximum of 68 attempted hours in a master's degree program, or a maximum of 100 attempted hours in a doctoral program. A student is no longer eligible to receive financial aid after this maximum is reached.

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 (maximum allowable credits graded under the S option are defined by the director of academic services).

Notes:

Incomplete Classes: Courses that are assigned an incomplete grade are included in the cumulative credits attempted. These course credits cannot be used as earned credits 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 will be used in determining when the maximum time frame requirement has been reached. Students may, however, appeal to have only the credits accepted toward their Bethel degree included in the maximum time frame calculation. Transfer credits are also used when calculating the required completion percentage.
Second Graduate Degree Students: Students who already have a first graduate degree are eligible for loans if they are pursuing teacher licensure or a second degree. Degree-seeking students have an additional 68 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. Students are eligible to receive financial aid during the probationary period. At the end of the probation period, students 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 (and not reinstated on appeal) by the director of academic services 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.

Reestablishing 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 student 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.