Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Maricopa Community Colleges follows Federal regulations (CFR 668(f) and 668,34) which require you to move towards the completion of a degree, or certificate of completion, within an eligible program when receiving financial aid. There are specific requirements, known as Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), for academic success for financial aid recipients and they are applied differently than Scholastic Standards.
It is very important that you meet all of these minimum standards while pursuing your educational goals with the support of financial aid. In the event you do not meet the minimum standards, it may result in loss of Title IV, HEA program (federal financial aid) eligibility. This policy affects all students that have or will apply for financial aid. Federal regulations state that Academic Progress Standards must include a review of all periods of enrollment, regardless of whether or not aid was received.
SAP Evaluation Measurements
To evaluate your academic progress, we compare your performance against three measurements. Failure to meet any of these standards will result in suspension of eligibility for financial aid.
Progress (Course Completion)
You must successfully complete two-thirds (66.7%) of all attempted courses.
Maximum Time Frame (MTF)
You must complete your program without attempting more than 150% of the credits required to complete it.
Note: Grades of F,I,N,W,X,Y,Z, and courses not yet graded are considered attempted but not meeting progress standards for the purposes of financial aid.
What Coursework is Included in the SAP Calculation?
Included in the SAP Evaluation
- Courses funded through a consortium agreement
- All attempted remedial credits
- Repeated coursework
Not Included in SAP Evaluation
- Audited courses
- Non-credit courses
- Credit by examination
- Credit for prior learning option (see the college general catalog)
- Academic Renewal Process
Included in the Maximum Time Frame Evaluation
- All of those included in the semester evaluation
- All evaluated transfer credits
- Any Bachelor's or advanced degree will be considered to have exhausted maximum timeframe eligibility
- Academic Renewal Process
Financial Aid SAP Warning
Students are allowed a warning period upon failing Qualitative and/or Quantitative SAP standards. The warning period allows one semester of Federal Student Aid eligibility upon failing SAP. The warning period will follow the semester for which SAP was not met, meaning the next semester for which the student registers for classes. If students fail to meet SAP after the warning period, they will be placed on Suspension. Note: In order to receive the Warning period, students must be meeting Maximum Timeframe requirements.
Warning Period Frequently Asked Questions
During the Financial Aid Warning Period, you still qualify for financial aid for the semester following the one you failed to maintain satisfactory progress.
When your status changes to “Not Meets SAP,” as long as you haven’t reached your Maximum Time Frame (MTF), you are eligible for a one semester Warning Period
You can register for an additional semester while remaining eligible to receive federal aid. It is a grace period for you to attempt to meet SAP requirements.
You will be notified of your status before the next semester begins and the Warning Period will start with the new semester.
You may still be eligible for Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), Federal Work Study (FWS), Direct Loans, and institutional funds. You may also be eligible for scholarships depending on their criteria.
Yes. Your Warning Period will begin at the start of the next semester you register for, which does not have to be the next consecutive semester.
We will suspend your financial aid eligibility until you meet SAP requirements.
Yes, if you feel you have extenuating circumstances, you can submit an appeal.
You may be eligible for non-consecutive Warning Periods — as long as you are still able to complete your program of study within 150% of the Maximum Time Frame.
SAP Appeal Process
If you’ve lost financial aid eligibility due to an extenuating circumstance, you may appeal to have your financial aid reinstated by completing a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form and submitting any supporting documentation.
- Submitted documentation is confidential
- SAP appeal results notification occurs within 5-7 business days (*up to 14 business days during peak times—January, July–September
- Notification will include any restrictions or conditions
- Outcome may include probationary period or a denial
- All decisions are final and cannot be appealed
Extenuating Circumstances for an Appeal
An extenuating circumstance is a situation beyond your control that may involve a significant amount of your time, preventing you from successfully attending class or completing your courses.
Here are some examples of extenuating circumstances:
- Documented medical condition or serious illness
- Documented illness of a family member
- Death of an immediate family member
- Involuntary call to active military duty
- Documented involuntary change in employment conditions
- Any other extraordinary circumstances, such as a natural disaster
What is not an extenuating circumstance?
- Errors in judgment involving transportation, finances, academic ability, time management, computer access, etc.
- Lack of knowledge or misinterpretation of college policies and procedures
- Financial Aid not processed, not prepared for class, unable to afford books
- Dissatisfaction with course content or instruction
- Acceptance of employment
- Incarceration
- Immaturity and bad judgment
- Failure to meet the terms of your currently approved appeal
Need Help With an Appeal or Have SAP Questions?
Book a virtual 30-minute one-on-one session with a staff member that includes in-depth guidance and assistance with SAP, or contact your college’s Financial Aid Office for help and examples of supporting documentation for an appeal.
Appeals Requiring an Academic Plan
Appeals granted for longer than one payment period must include an academic plan. Failure to follow an approved academic plan will result in immediate suspension of Federal Student Aid. You are responsible for all debt incurred as a result of this adjustment to your financial aid. Failure to successfully complete all conditions in the academic plan during the probationary period will result in the loss of future financial aid eligibility.
Academic Probation Versus Financial Aid Probation
Financial aid probation (or suspension) for failing to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress is not the same thing as academic probation for failing to meet Scholastic Standards. If you need to appeal an academic probation, you must do so through the Admissions and Standards Committee.