Financial Aid Probation
If you do not maintain SAP standards at the end of each spring semester, you will be placed on financial aid probation. Once you are placed on probation, you remain on probation until you graduate. You will continue to receive financial aid for the first year that you are on probation, but you must successfully complete at least 75% of the attempted hours with a GPA of 2.0 or greater for your review period to continue to receive financial aid after the first year. If those requirements are not met, a Financial Aid Appeal must be submitted to regain eligibility. If the appeal is approved, specific probationary conditions will be outlined in a progress letter. At a minimum, the probationary conditions will require you to successfully complete at least 75% of the attempted credit hours each semester with a GPA of 2.0 or greater.
Appeals
You may appeal SAP probation for the following reasons:
- Requirements are not met while on financial aid probation, resulting in the loss of financial aid eligibility.
- You believe that the determination of financial aid ineligibility is in error.
- You believe that there was a special situation which caused you to exceed the established number of credit hours (over 150% of academic program length) in order to graduate.
You will have the option of attending/enrolling in classes while appealing SAP probation. However, financial aid will not be released unless the appeal is approved.
To file an appeal, review the following steps.
- Complete the SAP Appeal Form
- Required Documentation
You must clearly explain why SAP standards were not met and provide documentation. Students with a deferred grade (DFR) or excused course work (EX) must provide proof from the instructor of the grade on work submitted, and a projected date for the final grade. - Submit the Appeal
The appeal must be submitted to OSFA by at least the third week of the semester. You may obtain procedural information concerning appeals from OSFA. - Appeal Denied
If the appeal is denied, you are responsible for any balance owed to the University.
Withdrawal While on Probation
If you are on SAP probation and have to withdraw from school, you will be denied financial aid for the upcoming term until an appeal has been submitted and evaluated. If you submitted a previous SAP appeal, your financial aid eligibility may be suspended until the progress toward your degree meets the established criteria. If you have additional concerns, you may call OSFA at 217-333-0100 or visit our office to speak with a financial aid administrator.
