Satisfactory Academic Progress

Your academic progress matters, especially when it comes to financial aid. Learn how NAU’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) rules help determine your eligibility for aid, and what to do if your status changes.

What is Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)?

If you’ve applied for or received any financial aid (including FAFSA results) you’ll be evaluated for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). These rules make sure you're on track to graduate while using federal and state aid. Private scholarships and lenders may also review your SAP status.

Federal and state financial aid includes grants, student and parent loans, and work-study eligibility.

Some lenders of private/alternative loans and scholarship donors may also consider a student’s SAP status when evaluating eligibility.

To keep your financial aid, you need to meet all three SAP standards: GPA, pace of progress, and maximum timeframe. Let’s break them down:

1.  Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)
  • Undergraduates: minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.
  • Graduate students: minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA

Only NAU course grades are included in the cumulative GPA. Transfer credits or other non-qualifying credit hours are not included in the calculation.

Note: If taking a pass/fail course, please keep in mind that a passing grade will not count toward a student’s GPA, but a failing grade will.

2.  Pace of progress

Complete at least 67% of the classes you attempt. Incomplete (I), In Progress (IP), or repeated classes that don’t improve your GPA may slow your pace. Pace of progress is calculated by the total sum of successfully completed credit hours divided by the total attempted credit hours (Completed ÷ Attempted = Pace of Progress).

Transfer credits count as both completed and attempted. Incomplete (I) and In Progress (IP) classes are considered attempted, but not completed until the grade(s) are posted.

NOTE: Only career-appropriate courses count toward pace. For example, undergraduate courses taken by graduate students do not count as earned credits, which can have a negative effect on pace.

3.  Maximum timeframe

Students must complete a degree within a certain number of credits. Official credit requirements based on your career major are listed in the academic catalog.

Undergraduate students: Up to 150% of required credits (for example, a 120-credit degree would max out at 180 credits)

Graduate students get a buffer of additional credits depending on their degree program.

  • Masters students: 18 additional graduate credits
    • Example: Most graduate programs require 36 credits, so most students are allowed funding up to 54 credits.
  • Doctoral students: 30 additional graduate credits

Certificate programs

Not all certificate programs are eligible for federal or state aid and there is no extra credit allowance for certificate programs.

Students that are in a certificate program AND a degree program are granted the exact amount of credits required to obtain both programs and are not eligible for buffer credits. This policy aligns with the federal regulations for certificate programs that states students can only be funded for the exact amount of credits required for the certificate.

NOTE: Maximum timeframe is measured by academic career, undergraduate, or graduate. Beginning a new program in the same career does not restart the timeframe calculation. Students are limited to one appeal for maximum timeframe per program per career.

Your SAP status and what it means

It is important that students understand their SAP status and the action(s) needed to remain eligible for federal and state financial aid. The following are SAP statuses assigned to a student after a SAP evaluation:

Meets all SAP standards

You’re good to go and eligible for aid.

SAP suspension

You didn’t meet one or more standards and aren’t eligible for aid until resolved. Check LOUIE to see what’s missing or file an SAP appeal.

SAP probation

You filed an appeal, and it was approved. You must meet specific conditions to keep your aid. We’ll check again at the end of the term.

Failed SAP? You’ve got options to regain eligibility:

  • Raise your GPA or pace without aid.
  • Submit an appeal to explain your situation and request aid reinstatement.

You can appeal any SAP status, just make sure to submit all documents at once. Appeals can take up to 15 business days and approval is not guaranteed.

Submit an SAP appeal

SAP evaluation takes place immediately upon admission to the university and the creation of a financial aid record. A financial aid record is created when a student receives any type of an award or for whom NAU receives the results of a FAFSA.

OSFA then evaluates SAP annually at the end of each spring semester. If a student attends summer classes, then they are also evaluated at the end of the summer term. Both evaluations set the student’s SAP status for the upcoming award year, which begins in the fall. Students who are suspended after the spring evaluation retain eligibility for the summer.

If at the time of evaluation a student has incomplete grades, they can not be re-evaluated until the next evaluation if they are changed to a grade after evaluation. Therefore, we cannot retroactively change the student's SAP status.

Students on SAP probation and/or are in a certificate-only program are evaluated at the end of each semester after grades post, including summer.

Getting your SAP status

SAP statuses are assigned based on the results of the evaluation and may be viewed via a student’s LOUIE account under the Financial Aid link.

A SAP status of “Meets all SAP Standards” or “SAP Probation” is required to be considered for federal or state funding. If students are awarded federal or state funds, and their status changes to “SAP Suspension,” the federal or state funds awarded will not be disbursed.

If a student’s status is SAP suspension, a To Do List item will exist on LOUIE that explains the specific SAP standard that was not met.

FAQs: Satisfactory Academic Progress

Does SAP affect my academic standing at NAU?

No. SAP only affects your financial aid eligibility. Your academic standing with NAU is evaluated separately.

I’m earning a degree and a certificate, how does SAP work for me?

 You’ll be reviewed using degree-based SAP standards, including the 150% time limit. Think something looks off? Reach out. We’re happy to check it with you.

Do transfer credits count toward my SAP status?

Yes. Transfer credits count as both attempted and completed credits, and they factor into your pace and maximum timeframe.

I have a double major. Will that affect my financial aid?

It might. If you hit 150 attempted credit hours, you’ll be flagged for maximum timeframe and need to submit a SAP appeal and plan. Don’t worry though, we’ll walk you through it.

How does SAP work if I'm only in a certificate program?

Your SAP is checked at the end of each semester. The big difference is you don’t get the 150% buffer. Your attempted hours can’t go beyond the credit total listed in your program.

Does taking summer classes affect my SAP?

Yes. SAP is reviewed at the end of summer, just like during fall or spring. Summer can be a great time to bounce back and restore your aid eligibility.

Does academic renewal reset my SAP standing?

Unfortunately, no. Even if your GPA resets on your transcript, SAP evaluations still include all your past coursework and grades.

What counts as “attempted” credits?

Think of any class you signed up for. Even if you withdrew, got an incomplete, or didn’t pass, it counts as attempted. Passed classes, including transfer ones, count as completed.

I’m finishing a thesis or dissertation. How do In Progress (IP) grades impact SAP?

IP grades count as attempted, not completed. Depending on your current pace, they may or may not lead to SAP issues. If you're concerned about a suspension, contact us. We’ll review it together.

I’m working on an NAU bachelor’s degree and have been suspended for the maximum timeframe, but I’ve earned fewer than 180 credit hours. Why?

The 150% rule is the federal limit; however, we are required to evaluate your progress toward program completion prior to reaching this limit. Suspension occurs upon attempting at least 150 credit hours so we can ensure that you’re on track to graduate within the 180 credit hour limit. Follow the SAP appeal process if you wish be reconsidered for financial aid. A completed SAP Academic Plan is required.

How are repeated courses evaluated for SAP?

Each semester the student is enrolled in the same course, it is counted as credit hours attempted. Repeated-course hours are counted as completed the first time a passing grade is earned. Other times the course is taken, the hours are counted as attempted but not completed, which affects your pace of progress evaluation.

I’m starting graduate school after finishing my bachelor's at NAU. Does my SAP reset?

Yes! Switching to a new academic career (like undergrad to grad) means your SAP calculations start fresh. New pace, new GPA, new timeframe. Clean slate!

What if I'm pursuing a post-baccalaureate degree?

Post-bacc programs don’t get a SAP reset. Your past coursework and GPA still count, including hours from your bachelor’s degree.

My SAP status says “unknown.” What now?

This usually means we’re missing data (like your term GPA). It’s rare, but if it happens, it temporarily stops aid until it’s resolved. You can’t appeal this, but we can help you get it sorted. Contact us with questions.

What if my program has more credits than usual?

Don’t stress! Some programs require extra credits, and we account for that in SAP. If you’re flagged for going over, let an advisor know. We’ll double-check your program’s requirements.