Satisfactory academic progress (SAP) policy for graduate and degree completion students
In order to receive federal financial aid (TEACH GRant for eligible graduate students, Federal Pell Grant for Degree Completion students, and the Federal Direct Stafford Loans), students must be making "satisfactory academic progress" toward a degree. (Federal Regulation: 668.7 Higher Education Act of 1965, Higher Education Amendments, 1986 and 1992 – with federal revisions of the regulations governing Satisfactory Academic Progress, October 29, 2010 to be effective July 1, 2011.)
Evaluation Period: At the end of each payment period/term after all grades are posted.
Evaluating: CGPA and Pace Requirements
CGPA: Cumulative grade point average (minimum of 3.0 CGPA for grad students and 2.0 for DCP students)
Pace: Successfully completing a minimum of 67% of attempting hours, and advancing toward graduation within the maximum time frame.
This evaluation includes all terms in a student's enrollment, regardless if financial aid has been awarded in those terms or not. Transfer hours are also included.
Maximum time frame: Students must complete their academic program within seven years.
I. CGPA & PACE standards
Graduate and degree completion seeking students are eligible for federal student aid subject to completing all applicable regulatory and institutional requirements for a maximum of eight (8) academic terms based on full-time or a maximum of fourteen (14) academic terms based on half-time enrollment, dependent on program identification and total number of program academic credit hours. Both half-time and full-time students must complete their programs within a maximum of seven calendar years.
Satisfactory completion of 67% of attempted credit hours and a 3.0 cumulative GPA for grad students and a 2.0 for DCP students is required to remain in good academic standing for full-time and half-time students.
| Satisfactory completion table for graduate students | |||||||
| Academic years: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Full Time (minimum hours must be successfully completed): | 12 | 24 | 36 | 48 | -- | -- | -- |
| Half Time (minimum hours must be successfully completed): | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 | 36 | 42 |
II. Remedial courses, course repetitions & changes or additions to degree plan
Remedial courses are not eligible for financial aid.
Course repetitions are calculated into SAP and eligible for federal financial aid if repeated course(s) are due to student receiving a failing grade on the original course and original course grade is calculated into student's SAP. After completion of the repeated course, the course with the highest grade is only included into the CGPA calculation. Course repetitions due to a student wishing to achieve higher grade, other than for retaking a course due to a failing grade, is not included in student's SAP and not eligible for federal financial aid.
Financial aid eligibility for students changing majors and/or seeking additional degrees will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
III. Failure to maintain minimum standards
Students who fail to maintain satisfactory academic progress, that is, do not successfully complete the minimum number of credit hours based on enrollment status and/or maintain the minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or 2.0 for DCP), will be placed on "financial aid warning" for one term. The student will be eligible to receive financial aid for this term.
If, at the end of this warning term, a student is not meeting SAP, the student will no longer be eligible for Federal financial aid.
All courses taken at Concordia University while a student is ineligible for financial aid shall be at the student's own expense.
IV. Financial Aid Reinstatement
Students will remain ineligible for aid until s/he:
- meets SAP. Students may pay out of pocket for classes until they meet SAP standards. Once SAP is successfully reached, students will be eligible for financial aid. Or
- files a written appeal, which if approved may result in: (1)"financial aid probation" or (2) Setting up an "academic plan" with their advisor.
V. Appeal
Any student wishing to appeal the suspension of his/her financial aid eligibility, based on provisions in this "Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy," may appeal in writing to the Director of Financial Aid of Concordia University, Nebraska. The deadline for an appeal is 2 weeks after the date on the student notification letter.
The appeal must include: (1) a letter from the student stating reasons why he/she did not achieve minimum academic requirements and why his/her aid should not be terminated; (2) what has changed in order for the student to make SAP now; (3) supporting documentation of why the student did not meet SAP, if applicable (i.e. letter from doctor); (4) a supporting letter from an advisor or professor; (5) an established academic plan for meeting SAP, if it will take more than one term.
If the appeal is approved, the student may receive aid for a maximum of one additional semester to correct the specific deficiency.
If the student is not able to attain SAP requirements within one term, the student must meet with his/her academic advisor or Program Director to set up an “academic plan” that will get the student back on track. If the student successfully follows the academic plan, s/he will be eligible for financial aid during those terms.
If the appeal is not approved, the student will remain ineligible for financial aid until they are meeting SAP. Students will be allowed one appeal opportunity while at Concordia.
The student will be notified in writing of the final determination of the appeal.
