Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy
To be eligible to receive federal and state financial aid, you must be maintaining progress toward a specific degree or credential. Maintaining academic progress at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) means you must: 1) satisfactorily complete at least 75% of the units you attempt each academic year, and 2) complete your educational program within a reasonable timeframe.
How many units must I enroll in and complete to maintain eligibility for aid?
The Office of Financial Aid does not impose a minimum number of units each semester, although most financial aid programs require at least 6 units per semester (half-time status) to receive funds. Therefore, you may decide each semester how many units you will attempt. In deciding, consider such factors as employment, course difficulty, family responsibilities, academic probation, etc.
What is CSUF’s definition of "completed units"?
You complete a course when you earn credit by receiving a passing grade. The following grades do not count toward your completed units (however, they do count toward attempted units): F, NC, W, WU, I.
Do remedial and repeated courses count for financial aid?
Up to 30 units of remedial coursework are allowed under financial aid regulations as long as you earn a grade of "CR" for the course. A grade of "SP" or "NC" does not count as credit earned. If you repeat a course for which you previously received unit credit (e.g., a grade of D or higher), you may not receive financial aid for the repeated course. Note that this financial aid policy differs from the academic policy governing repeated courses.
How are graduate level units handled?
Courses numbered 500 or higher are considerd "graduate level" and are weighted at 1.5 times their unit value. For example, if you are enrolled in 9 graduate units and 3 undergraduate units, your total attempted units for Financial Aid SAP will be 16.5 ( 9 X 1.5 = 13.5 + 3 = 16.5).
When we apply the qualitative measure (the 75% rule), we calculate your SAP status based on your weighted attempted and weighted earned units.
When we apply the quantitative measure (150% of the standard number of units required for your academic program), we calculate your cumulative attempted units with graduate units weighted at 1.5 times their unit value. Therefore, the 150% standard unit cap is computed by applying the 1.5 weighting factor to all graduate level courses required for your program plus any required undergraduate courses (those numbered below 500).
How do I maintain eligibility? 75% Rule
At the end of each spring semester, we add together your attempted units for the preceding summer, fall and spring semesters. We review your grades and calculate the percentage of earned units out of those that you attempted. YOU MUST EARN AT LEAST 75% OF ATTEMPTED UNITS TO MAINTAIN ELIGIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL AID FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
What happens if I earn less than 75% of my attempted units?
If you earn less than 75% of your attempted units, your eligibility is terminated for the following year.
How do I requalify if my eligibility is terminated?
At the end of the following year, if you have earned at least 75% of your attempted units, you will automatically re-qualify for financial aid.
How can I monitor my own SAP status?
It’s easy! Calculate your percentage of completed units using this formula:
Summer Earned Units + Fall Earned Units + Spring Earned Units = % Earned Units
Summer Attempted Units + Fall Attempted Units + Spring Attempted Units
Example:
6 Earned Summer + 9 Earned Fall + 8 Earned Spring (23 Total)
6 Attempted Summer + 12 Attempted Fall + 11 Attempted Sprin (29 Total)
23 ÷ 29 = 79.3% Earned
If you were enrolled in graduate level courses, remember to use the 1.5 weighting factor in calculating your attempted and earned units.
How does CSUF calculate the reasonable timeframe or "unit cap"?
Federal regulations require that you complete your academic programs within 150% of the standard timeframe for your program. At CSUF, we use 120 units as the standard undergraduate program, with 180 attempted units* as the "unit cap". Courses numbered 500 or higher are considered graduate courses and are weighted at 1.5 times their unit value. Most master's degree study plans require 30 graduate units; therefore, the standard unit cap for master's degree candidates is 67.5 units (30 weighted graduate units = 45 X 150%).
For programs requiring more than the standard number of units, we allow 150% of the units required for that program. All units are counted even if you did not receive financial aid and even if the units do not count for unit credit toward graduation. Once you reach the unit cap for your program, you are no longer eligible to receive financial aid.
*The calculation of attempted units includes all coursework completed at CSUF as well as all other transferable coursework completed at other institutions.
May I appeal if I lose my eligibility because I earned less than 75% of my attempted units or exceeded the unit cap?
You have the right to appeal a financial aid SAP or unit cap termination by presenting a written appeal with a personal statement and documentation of mitigating circumstances. Appeal forms are available for download in the “Forms Bank” on right-hand side of the Financial Aid homepage or may be obtained in person from the Office of Financial Aid. Follow the instructions on the appeal form to document your special circumstances. The SAP Appeals Committee evaluates all SAP appeals and considers such factors as your personal statement, your academic history, your documented extenuating circumstances and your ability to achieve academic progress in the future. Allow 3-4 weeks for the committee to evaluate and respond to your appeal.
- If you file an appeal and it is approved before the end of the summer term, you will be eligible to receive aid for summer, fall and spring terms.
- If you file an appeal and it is approved before the end of fall term, you will be eligible to receive aid for the fall and spring terms.
- If you file an appeal and it is approved before the end of spring term, you will be eligible to receive aid for spring term.
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