Satisfactory Academic Progress for Undergraduate Students (SAP)

UMBC is required to monitor that students maintain a minimum standard GPA and make steady progress toward degree completion.  Students who do not meet the SAP requirements may lose their financial aid eligibility. 

Student Aid Report (SAR)

Requirements
Maximum Time Frame
To remain eligible for financial aid you may not attempt more than 150% of the credits required to receive a first undergraduate degree (i.e., 120 credits required x 1.5 = a maximum of 180 credits may be attempted). Every semester you enroll in school will be counted, even the semesters when you do not receive financial aid. Transfer credits from other institutions accepted by UMBC are included in your total number of credits attempted.

How is Aid Disbursed?

Minimum Credits Earned
Your progress will be reviewed at the end of each academic year. Hours attempted include the following grades: A, B, C, D, F, I, P, W, WX and repeated courses. Your progress will be evaluated using the following standard:

Withdrawing from courses repeatedly can delay degree completion. This could result in SAP probation and subsequent restriction.   In addition, we strongly encourage students to meet with a financial aid counselor prior to withdrawal

Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)
Students remain in good academic standing by earning a minimum GPA of 2.0 (2.0=C) or better on a 4.0 scale. Some financial aid programs may have standards that are more stringent.  In those cases, the program standards will supersede UMBC’s requirements.

Financial Aid Probation

Financial Aid Probation
Most students who do not maintain SAP standards are initially placed on financial aid probation at the end of the spring semester. You will continue to receive financial aid while you are on probation, but you must successfully complete all attempted credits, receive no grades of F, W, or WX and earn a GPA of 2.0 to continue to receive financial aid. If these requirements are not met you will be placed on Financial Aid Restriction during our next review.   A student who has attempted more than 180 credits will not go on financial aid probation.  Students in this category will go immediately to restriction. 

Financial Aid Restriction

Financial Aid Restriction
If you are placed on financial aid restriction you may continue to attend UMBC, but you must do so without the assistance of financial aid.  This includes all federal, state and institutional financial aid programs.  You may submit a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal if there are extenuating circumstances that have caused you to be unable to meet the SAP standards.

Appeals
A Financial Aid Appeal must be submitted to regain eligibility. If the appeal is approved, specific probationary conditions will be outlined in an electronic notification. At a minimum, the probationary conditions will require you to successfully complete all of the attempted credit hours each semester with a GPA of 2.0 or greater without earning any grades of W, WX or F.  You may continue to attend classes while appealing SAP restriction; however, financial aid will not be released unless the appeal is approved.  The student is responsible for payment of the bill by the due date even if the appeal decision is pending.

Graduate/Professional Students and SAP

Graduate Students and SAP
As a graduate student, your financial aid eligibility is contingent upon completion of degree requirements within 150% of the program’s published length in accordance with the standards established by the Graduate School and your department (i.e., 60 credits required x 1.5 = a maximum of 90 credits may be attempted) . Every semester you enroll in school will be counted, even the semesters when you do not receive financial aid. Transfer credits from other institutions accepted by UMBC are included in your total number of credits attempted. Your progress will be reviewed at the end of each academic year. Hours attempted include the following grades: A, B, C, D, F, I, P, W, WX and repeated courses.

You must also maintain the minimum cumulative GPA of a 3.0. In the event that your program of study requires a higher GPA it will supersede the minimum listed in this policy.