Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Federal regulations require that Youngstown State University review the academic progress of students annually, whether they are a previous aid recipient or not.  The purpose of this review process is to measure whether a student is making satisfactory progress towards his or her educational goals.  All federal programs are affected when a student is not in compliance with the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.  (State grant programs such as the Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG) and the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Grant (PHEAA) are not governed by the federal Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy but rather by the respective state.)

SAP Requirements

Youngstown State University's satisfactory academic progress requirements consist of three components:   Minimum grade point average Maximum time frame to earn the degree sought Percentage completion rates GPA Requirement - All students at Youngstown State University are required to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average.  Undergraduates who have earned less than 32 credit hours must maintain a minimum 1.75 GPA.  Undergraduates who have earned 32 or more credit hours must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA.  Graduate students are required to maintain a 3.00 GPA.  The following grades are included in the GPA calculation: A, B, C, D, and F.  The GPA calculation excludes the following grades: CR-credit; NC-no credit; AU-audit; I-incomplete; W-withdrawal.  For incompletes, the credit hours apply to the term the student was enrolled, not the term the student was making up the incomplete. Max Time Frame Requirement - When a student's attempted hours, as defined above, reach 150% of the maximum hours needed to complete an associate (109 hours) or bachelor's degree (217 hours), federal financial aid eligibility will be suspended unless the time frame is extended with an appeal accompanied by an Academic Advisor Evaluation.  Graduate degrees must be completed by the length of time standards established and monitored by the School of Graduate Studies. Percentage Completion Requirement - At the time of the annual assessment, completed hours as a percentage of attempted hours, must meet the following minimum requirements:   Freshmen (0-31 hours earned) must complete a minimum of 55% of the total hours attempted each year Sophomores (32-62 hours earned) must complete a minimum of 60% of the total hours attempted each year Juniors (63-93 hours earned) must complete a minimum of 65% of the total hours attempted each year Seniors (94+ hours earned) must complete a minimum of 70% of the total hours attempted each year Graduates (13+ grad hours attempted) must complete a minimum of 50% of the total hours attempted each year Percentage completion will be calculated by dividing completed hours by attempted hours.  For federal financial aid satisfactory academic progress purposes, attempted hours exclude audited hours and withdrawals made by the last date to add a class.  The following grades negatively impact the percentage completion calculation: F-failed; NC-no credit; AU-audit; I-incomplete; W-withdrawal.  For Incompletes, note that the credit hours apply to the term in which the student was enrolled in the course, not the term the student was making up the Incomplete.

Transfer and Transient Students

Transfer students will be eligible for federal aid through the spring semester of the academic year they begin at Youngstown State University.  During the spring semester, transfer students will be evaluated under the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.  Transfer hours will be included in the number of hours earned and attempted but only YSU grades enter into the GPA calculation.

Non-Degree Students (undergraduate, post-undergraduate, and graduate)

A student must be enrolled in a degree program to receive federal financial aid.

Appeal Process (New - Effective 2011-2012 aid year)

If a student is non-compliant, he/she must appeal the denial of financial aid by submitting an appeal form that explains the circumstances.  Supporting documentation may be required.  Appeals will be evaluated by the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Committee, which will respond in writing with the decision within 30 days.

Satisfactory Academic Appeal Form - pdf*

Academic Advisor Letter- pdf*

*Requires Adobe Acrobat The decision made by the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Committee is final.  The Satisfactory Academic Progress committee may also cite and deny students who exhibit a pattern of federal student aid abuse.  Federal regulations require students who successfully appeal to be placed on a semester based Financial Aid Probation and Academic Progress Plan.  The terms and conditions of the Academic Progress Plans must be met in full to continue to receive Federal aid for future semesters by the conclusion of the probationary semester. Students who do not appeal, or who are denied by the Committee, will not be eligible for federal financial aid programs.  Students will remain denied until their academic record is once again in compliance with the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.  To attain compliance, students must attend school without federal financial assistance while clearing their satisfactory academic progress.  When reinstatement is granted, a student may be considered for those financial aid funds available at that time.

Contact Information

Contact Susan Sahli at (330) 941-2374 or sesahli@ysu.edu for additional information and deadlines.