UMBC logo

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

What is SAP? (All Students)

UMBC is required to monitor its student’s academic progress to ensure that they 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.

All students that were enrolled during the current school year and those who have submitted a FAFSA for the upcoming year will be evaluated for SAP at the end of the spring semester after spring grades are posted. Credit hours attempted include the following grades: A, B, C, D, F, I, P, W, WX and repeated courses. Grades received for remedial, ESL and institutional credit courses are included in the number of attempted credits, but are not included in your GPA.

Each semester that you enroll in school will be counted, even the semesters when you do not receive financial aid. Test scores and transfer credits from other institutions accepted by UMBC are included in your total number of credits attempted.

Additional Undergraduate Requirements

As an undergraduate student, 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). Your progress will be evaluated using the following standard:

Total Number of Completed Credits Minimum Cumulative GPA Percentage of Attempted Courses Completed
0 - 29 2.0 50%
30 - 59 2.0 60%
60+ 2.0 67%

Undergraduate 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.

Additional Graduate Requirements

Graduate students remain in good academic standing by maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and by completing at least 67% of all enrolled courses each semester. In the event that your program of study requires a higher GPA it will supersede the minimum listed in this policy. Graduate students must also complete their program within the timeframe established in their Degree Requirements as outlined in the Graduate School catalog and may not exceed more than 150% of the credits required to complete their program.

Financial Aid Restriction (Undergraduate and Graduate Students)

If you failed to meet the SAP standards, you will be placed on financial aid restriction you may continue to attend UMBC, but you must do so without the assistance of financial aid. You will be responsible for payment of your bill by the due date for any outstanding charges and any late fees you may incur. You may submit a SAP Appeal and an Academic Plan of Action if there are extenuating circumstances that caused you to be unable to meet SAP standards.

If you do not have extenuating circumstances that warrant a SAP appeal, you may want to consider applying for a private educational loan to assist with payment of your school-related charges. Additional information about private (alternative) loans can be found on our website at Alternative Loans.

Appeals (Undergraduate and Graduate Students)

A SAP appeal must be submitted for review to determine if you can regain eligibility for aid. You must submit the following items to be considered for appeal:
  • A copy of your unofficial UMBC transcript
  • A typed one page explanation of the reasons you failed to meet SAP standards (you must also include what has changed and your plan to ensure future academic success)
  • Documentation supporting the extenuating circumstance(s) listed in your appeal letter (for example: if an immediate family member passed away, include an obituary/death certificate; for medical issues, include a doctor’s statement; for an employment situation, include a statement from that employer; for an auto accident, include a police report and/or medical documentation; etc. - timeframes on your documentation should support your statement)
  • A completed Academic Plan of Action Form (must be signed by a UMBC Academic Advisor)

Your documentation must support the circumstance outlined in your appeal letter.

Submission of a SAP appeal does not guarantee that your appeal will be approved. SAP decisions rendered by the SAP Appeals Committee are final and cannot be appealed.


You may continue to attend classes while appealing SAP restriction; however, financial aid will not be released unless the appeal is approved. If you wish to receive an appeal decision that may impact your decision to enroll, you must adhere to the deadline date specified in your email notification. Please be aware that late appeals will not be considered. You will be responsible for payment of your bill by the due date for any outstanding charges even if your appeal decision is pending.

SAP Appeals for Summer Aid

Students on SAP Restriction, who wish to be considered for summer aid, must submit a Summer SAP Appeal and Academic Plan of Action with supporting documentation no later than:
  • For Summer Session 1 Only: One week before SS1 classes start
  • For Summer Session 2 Only: One week before SS2 classes start
  • For Summer Session 1 & 2: One week before SS1 classes start

The SAP Committee cannot guarantee decisions will be made prior to the start of the session; therefore, you will be responsible for payment of your bill by the due date for any outstanding charges even if your appeal decision is pending.