Satisfactory Academic Progress

All students receiving financial aid must make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward their degree or certificate. SAP is measured in two ways: by achievement of a satisfactory grade point average and by progressing in credit hours toward the degree or diploma.

Under the federal SAP policy:

A student must attain a grade point average of at least a 2.0 or higher by the end of the second year of studies.

• A student must complete his or her degree or diploma within 150% of the time normally allocated to complete the program.
• A student must make incremental progress toward the degree, completing at least two-thirds of the credits for which they enroll in at least one of the two regular academic year semesters, with at least a 2.0 average.
• A student's SAP will be reviewed once each year.

Students who do not meet the SAP policy will be notified by letter, and will be put on probation for the next academic term.

Probation and Appeals

If placed on probation, students will be required to meet with their academic advisors for guidance in selecting a program of study that will assist them in meeting the SAP requirements. Financial aid will continue during the probationary semester, providing all requirements for receiving aid are met.

When students successfully complete the probationary semester, they will be removed from SAP probation. If requirements of the probationary semester are not completed, financial aid will be discontinued until such time as the student meets the SAP policy requirements. These requirements can be met at SHMS or at another college or university.

Students who do not successfully complete their probationary semester and are notified of discontinuance of their financial aid may appeal the decision in writing. This correspondence should note any special circumstances that may have prevented them from making SAP and how these circumstances have been resolved in order to permit the student to be successful in future semesters.

Appeals will be reviewed by at least three professionals, and the decision of these individuals will be final. Appeals for Term II of each year must be received in the Registrar's Office no later than the end of the second week of classes. The SAP policy shows minimum achievement standards required for continuation of federal financial aid. Requirements of individual degrees/diploma programs may be higher.