Skip to Content

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy

Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy

 

Jump to a Section

TXWES appeal process TXWES maximum time frame appeal process
How many appeals can I have? What if I want to withdraw from all of my classes during the semester?
How do I avoid unsatisfactory progress? What is SAP?
How is SAP measured? How long can I receive financial aid?
How do I calculate my maximum hour limit? What are passing grades for TXWES SAP Policy?
TXWES and remedial classes (Courses that are below 1000 level) TXWES SAP Policy for repeating courses
TXWES SAP Policy for Pass (P) or Fail (F) Courses How do I know what my SAP status is at TXWES?
 

TXWES appeal process

Federal regulations state that students must have an option to appeal to have their financial aid reinstated. If you find yourself in the 'Unsatisfactory Academic Progress' status in the Financial Aid office you may file an appeal.

The financial aid appeal form asks that you submit a written appeal with supporting documentation for reinstatement of financial aid eligibility. Mitigating circumstances may include:

  • Serious injury of the student and/or the student's immediate family
  • Serious extended illness of the student and/or the student's immediate family
  • Death of the student's relative or immediate family members
  • COVID-19 complications for student or immediate family members

You will be required to meet with your academic advisor to map out your next semester. Use this opportunity to get your academic career back on track.

If you have any questions about filing an appeal, visit the Financial Aid Office on the third floor of the Oneal-Sells Building. Staff are available to meet with students Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. (closed on holidays and Fridays during June-July)

 

TXWES maximum time frame appeal process

Federal regulations stipulate that a student may be allocated 'additional credits to complete their degree. Our goal is to make sure you leave with a Texas Wesleyan (or TXWES) degree. Therefore, if you are an undergraduate or graduate student and have reached your maximum time frame, you may petition for additional credits to complete your degree. This is done for undergraduate and graduate students.

You will need to complete the 'Petition to Extend form', appear, and explain why you were not able to complete your degree within the 150% maximum time frame.

You will be required to meet with your academic advisor to map ALL of the classes that you are required to take for your degree. If your appeal is approved, we will pay for the courses that are required for completion of your degree.

If you have any questions about filing a Petition to Extend, visit the Financial Aid Office on the third floor of the Oneal-Sells Building. Staff are available to meet with students Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. (closed on holidays and Fridays during June-July)

 

How many appeals can I have?

Each student can have two (2) SAP Appeals and one (1) Petition to Extend during their academic career at TXWES. The Financial Aid Office may make exceptions to this policy due to extenuating circumstances.

 

What if I want to withdraw from all of my classes during the semester?

Check in with the Financial Aid Office if you are considering dropping any or all of your classes. This may result in you owing funds back to the Department of Education. You are required to attend and participate in all of your classes for up to 60% of the semester. Failure to comply may result in a repayment and suspension of your financial aid at TXWES.

Each student's situation is different, so check in with the Financial Aid  Office so that we can assist you with making the best decision.

 

How do I avoid unsatisfactory progress?

  • Attend and participate in all of the classes that you register for
  • If you are struggling in your class, talk with your instructor or academic advisor
  • If you have questions about your financial aid, drop in to see a financial aid advisor
 

What is SAP?

The Federal Government requires that all students who receive Federal Aid (grants, loans, work-study) must be working toward completion of their degree at TXWES. Also, if you are a recipient of a state grant, institutional scholarship or an endowed scholarship, you must be working toward the completion of your declared major to maintain funding.

 

How is SAP Measured?

Undergraduate Students

The academic calendar at TXWES begins in the summer and runs through the fall and spring. Your SAP will be calculated at the end of each semester. To remain in "GOOD" standing, you must be earning a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 and have an overall completion rate of 67%. This means that you are required to pass 67% of the courses that you attempt at TXWES.

Graduate Students

The minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) for graduate students is 3.0 for the first term of enrollment, and you are required to maintain a 3.0 for all subsequent semesters. As a graduate student, the expectation is that you pass all of your courses each semester. Be aware that when you apply and are accepted to graduate school, your SAP will be measured according to graduate student classification, whether or not a bachelor's degree has been earned.

Upon being admitted to TXWES, we will calculate your SAP status. Federal regulations mandate that we include ALL semesters that the student has attended at TXWES. We will not exclude any semesters that you were not receiving any federal or state aid.

 

How long can I receive financial aid?

Federal regulations stipulate that a student may receive federal aid for up to 150% of their declared program. This limit is effective whether or not financial aid was being received when you were pursuing your degree. This calculation includes all credit hours registered for, earned or attempted at any institution of higher education. This includes hours you have dropped, withdrawn from, failed or never completed. College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) and some military hours are subject to further evaluation. If you exceed the maximum number of hours allowed for your degree plan, your financial aid will be suspended.

 

How do I calculate my maximum hour limit?

Example

Mia is a freshman at TXWES, the first college she has attended in her academic career. Her degree requires 120 credits.120x150%=180 credits. Mia will be offered financial aid for up to 180 credits. She may complete her degree early or it may take her up to 180 credits to complete her degree. However, once she reaches 180 credits, her financial aid will be suspended.

Example

Luther transferred into TXWES with 48 credits that apply towards his declared degree. His degree requires 125 credits. 120x150%=188 credits. Because Luther has earned 48 credits from another institution that will apply towards his degree, Luther will be offered financial aid for up to 140 (188-48) credits.

Example

Michael earned his bachelor's degree at TXWES. He returned to complete a graduate degree. The graduate degree requires 60 credits. Michael received financial aid for his entire undergraduate degree. He is now a graduate student and none of the undergraduate classes apply towards his graduate studies. 60x150%=90 credits. Michael may receive Direct Unsubsidized Loans for up to 90 credits.

 

What are passing grades for TXWES SAP Policy?

A grade is assigned for each course in which a student is regularly enrolled. A passing grade may be earned only if the student is enrolled for the duration of the course. The following grades are used by TXWES:

  • Passing Grades
    • A, B, C, D, P*, and CR*
  • Non-Passing Grades
    • F, WF*, DP*, I*, NR*, T*, W* — These grades may appear on the transcript in place of a grade but are not included in the GPA calculation. Also, they are not passing grades for Financial Aid purposes.

*Not counted in calculating grade point average (GPA)

Auditing Classes

Federal and state aid pay for credit classes only. Auditing classes are not eligible for federal or state aid.

 

TXWES and remedial classes (Courses that are below 1000 level)

Federal regulations allow you to take 30 remedial credits at TXWES. These 30 remedial credits will NOT be counted against your maximum timeframe. However, they will be counted toward your cumulative GPA at TXWES.

 

TXWES SAP Policy for repeating courses

Federal regulations limit the number of times a student may repeat a course and receive federal financial aid for that course.

  • A student may receive federal financial aid when repeating a course that was previously failed.
  • A student may receive federal financial aid to repeat a previously passed course (with a D or better, including a pass grade) one additional time, whether or not a student received federal financial aid for an earlier enrollment of the course.
  • Once a student has completed any course twice and earned a passing grade (D or better, including a pass grade) they are no longer eligible to receive federal financial aid for that course.
  • If a student retakes a course that is no longer eligible for financial aid, the credits are excluded from the total enrollment and the student's financial aid will be adjusted to exclude these credits.
 

TXWES SAP Policy for Pass (P) or Fail (F) Courses

An undergraduate may take a maximum of five (5) elective courses (15 hours) towards a degree in which she/he may choose to be graded on a "pass/fail" basis. Courses in which the grades or pass or fail are regularly awarded to all students enrolled do not count among these five courses.

Keep in mind that financial aid will pay for pass and fail courses. However, you will need to be mindful of your maximum timeframe and the completion of your degree at TXWES.

 

How do I know what my SAP status is at TXWES?

  • S = Satisfactory
    • You are in good standing and meet GPA and pace requirements
  • W = Warning
    • Cumulative GPA is below 2.0 or your pace is below 67%. You may still receive financial aid for one semester. If at the end of the semester you have not pulled up your GPA or pace, your SAP status may go to "Unsatisfactory"
  • U = Unsatisfactory
    • Cumulative GPA is below 2.0 and pace is belive 67%. (Remember you were granted one term of warning but were not able to bring your grades up to meet SAP). Your state and federal aid are suspended. Your institutional aid and scholarships are suspended as well.
  • P = Probation
    • You filed a financial aid appeal because you were in unsatisfactory progress. The Financial Aid Office approved your appeal, and you are now placed on probation. You will have a full academic year to bring your SAP status into compliance. (You will need to maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA and pass 67% of all the courses that you attempt at TXWES in order to earn your degree)
  • MW = Max Time Frame
    • You have reached your maximum time frame for receiving financial aid.