Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy
This is the Cal State San Bernardino Satisfactory Academic Policy. It details the academic progress you must maintain to continue to be eligible for financial aid.
Eligibility
To be elibible for financial aid at Cal State University, San Bernardino, the applicant must meet the academic progress of the institution which support the university's mission and strategic plan.
To remain eligible for financial aid, a renewal student must:
A. Meet the GPA requirements based on class level, and
B. Successfully complete the requisite number of units for his/her status, and
C. Successfully complete degree within the allowable unit/term cap.
Undergraduate, Credential and Other PostBaccalaureate Students
A fulltime undergraduate student is defined as a student enrolled in 12 units per academic quarter, 36 units for the normal academic year. The unit requirement for half time is defined as 6 units per quarter, 18 units per year.
Remedial courses ( < 100 level) are counted in determining enrollment status. Up to 45 quarter units of remedial coursework are allowed under financial aid regulations as long as you earn a grade of "CR" for the course. If you repeat a course for which you previously received unit credit (e.g., a grade of D or higher), you may not receive satisfactory academic progress credit for the repeated course. Note that this financial aid policy differs from the academic policy governing repeated courses.
Graduate/Doctoral Students
Graduate students must complete 100% of their attempted coursework to maintain eligibility for financial aid.
NOTE:
At the end of each academic year your earned units will be added and your grades will be reviewed. A percentage will be calculated of all earned units.This calculation is done for "attempted units" (that is enrollment at census each term) compared to "earned units" (courses completed with an acceptable grade at the end of each term). Percentages for this year have been adjusted so that students who complete units within a designated range will be placed on "probation" while those completing a smaller percentage of units will be disqualified for financial aid.
Unit Requirement Chart
This chart provides the unit requirement class level
Completed Unit Requirement
| Undergraduate | Credential/Second B.A | Graduate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meets SAP | 85% | 95% | 100% |
| Probation | 70-84.9% | 85-94.9% | No Probation |
| Failed SAP | 69.9% or Fewer | 84.9% or Fewer | 99.9% or Fewer |
Undergraduate example: A student has 34 units earned / 36 units attempted = 94% this student met SAP.
Graduate example: A student has 24 units earned / 28 units attempted = 85%, this student failed SAP.
Credential example: A student has 38 units earned / 42 units attempted =90%, this student is on probation.
Calculate your SAPOverall Career Requirements
| Undergraduate | Credential / 2 nd BA / Graduates | |
|---|---|---|
| Failed SAP | 270 + Attempted Units Overall ** Includes all transferred units** | 9 + Quarters Pursuing The Same Degree Objective |
Post baccalaureate example: A student has been pursuing a credential for 5 quarters, changes degree objectives and attends 7 more quarters as a MA student for a total of 12 quarters. He or she has failed SAP.
Undergraduate Example:A student pursuing his or her 1 st BA/BS degree transferred in 190 attempted units and has attempted 100 additional units at CSUSB for a total of 290 attempted units. He or she has failed SAP.
G.P.A Requirements
GPA Charts
Undergraduate
| Class Level | Failed SAP GPA | Probation GPA | Meets SAP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freshman (044.9 units) | 1.49 or below | 1.5-1.99 | 2.0 or Above |
| Sophomore (4589.9 units) | 1.69 or below | 1.7-1.99 | 2.0 or Above |
| Junior (90134.9 units) | 1.84 or below | 1.8-1.99 | 2.0 or Above |
| Senior(135 units or more) | 1.94 or below | 1.95-1.99 | 2.0 or Above |
PostBaccalaureate
| Program | Failed SAP GPA | Probation GPA | Meets SAP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credential | 2.29 or below | 2.3-2.6 | 2.7 |
| 2nd BA | 1.94 or below | 1.95-1.99 | 2.0 |
| Graduate | 2.49 or below | (no probation) | 2.5 |
DURATION OF ELIGIBILITY
Undergraduate
The duration of financial aid eligibility for undergraduate students is 270 cumulative attempted units with or without financial aid or the baccalaureate degree, whichever occurs first.
Transfer units are included in the SAP calculation
PostBaccalaureate/Graduate/Doctoral Students
A postbaccalaureate student is defined as one who has received a bachelor's degree. Students pursuing a degree or credential at the postbaccalaureatelevel are limited up to a maximum of 9 quarters with or without financial aid for completion of initial degree objective.
Clearly classified graduate students are limited up to a maximum of nine quarters with or without financial aid at the postbaccalaureate level for completion of the initial degree objective. In special programs, financial aid eligibility may be extended.
Students who have been counseled regarding acceptance into a graduate program and are enrolled in required prerequisites courses but who are not yet classified are not eligible to receive financial aid.
Postbaccalaureate students who have no degree objective at CSUSB are ineligible for financial aid.
Grading and Acceptable Coursework ? Undergraduate and PostBaccalaureate
Grades of F, I, NC and WU will count as units attempted with zero units earned. Withdrawals will count as units attempted with zero units earned.
The letter grades F, WU, W, NC, AU, RD and I are not considered as completed course work; therefore, are not applicable toward the unit requirements for satisfactory academic progress. The letter grade RP will be acceptable as completed course work for the calendar year or until the grade is changed, whichever occurs first.
Course repetitions are usually not counted towards a student's enrollment status, except if the student previously received the letter grades F, WU, W, NC, or AU in the course. Repetitions of academic skill courses related to the major may be counted.
A student is allowed up to 45 units of remedial coursework. Successful completion of remedial courses will result in those units being applied to the unit requirement for satisfactory academic progress during an academic year.
The SAP Committees have the discretion to deny continued assistance to students who appear to be delaying progress toward a degree by repeating courses, taking irrelevant classes or changing degree objectives.
Students who fail to meet SAP eligibility requirements will have their financial aid cancelled or may not be awarded financial aid.
PROBATION AND ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
Any undergraduate or postbaccalaureate student (except graduate students) who fails to successfully complete the requisite number of units but has completed units within a designated range will be placed on financial aid probation for one academic year. Students must also maintain the GPA requirements based on their class level.
A student on financial aid probation, who does not meet the provisions of such probation by the end of the probationary period, will be considered as failing to make satisfactory progress and will be ineligible for financial aid. A student?s probationary period is limited to one academic year.
DISQUALIFICATIONS AND DISMISSALS
Any student who has been placed on academic disqualification or dismissal will be considered as failing to make satisfactory academic progress. Students who meet these criteria are ineligible for financial aid.
EOP STUDENTS
A student participating in the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) who fails to meet satisfactory academic progress will be required to consult with the EOP Office. The EOP Office handles all Satisfactory Academic Progress appeals for EOP students. See Satisfactory Academic Progress Procedures.
REINSTATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AID
Financial aid may be reinstated for students who reestablish good academic standing, complete the requisite units for satisfactory progress, and/or complete their degree objective.
Any aid recipient whose aid eligibility has been denied due to lack of academic progress may appeal this action by petitioning to the Financial Aid Office within 30 days from the date of notification. Students must provide a written explanation of any mitigating circumstances include a corrective action plan. Students may be required to submit an academic plan relevant to their degree objective and approved by their Academic Advisor. Submission of an appeal does not guarantee approval.
For further information regarding how to appeal to the Financial Aid Office, please read the Satisfactory Academic Progress Procedures by clicking on the link provided.
A student whose aid eligibility is conditionally reinstated by Committee action will be eligible for aid consideration as long as he/she meets the conditions of his/her financial aid reinstatement.
Reinstatement of financial aid is based on availability of funds and aid is not awarded retroactively.
