Financial Aid Information Only: Student is close to failing to meet one or more SAP standards. Student may continue to receive aid without taking action.

Financial Aid Warning: Student failed to meet completion rate or GPA requirements in a semester in which he/she started in good standing. Student may continue to receive aid without taking action. If student is not meeting SAP requirements at next evaluation, he/she will be placed on disqualification.

Financial Aid Probation: Student failed SAP standards and successfully appeals for aid reinstatement. Eligibility may be reinstated for one term and will be reevaluated at the end of the term.

Financial Aid Academic Plan: Student has successfully appealed for aid reinstatement. Student must meet financial aid office and academic advisor (if applicable) stipulations each semester to continue to meet SAP standards until the student is in compliance on his/her own.

Financial Aid Disqualification: Student is not meeting SAP standards and has either used or is not eligible for a warning period. The student is not eligible to receive federal Title IV financial aid and some private loans. Most tuition waivers, scholarships, and similar types of funding are not affected. The student must petition successfully to reinstate aid.

The student and his/her academic advisor develop a plan for sucessful program completion.  The academic plan could also be developed to ensure that the student is able to meet the SAP standards by a specific time. An Academic Plan form will be e-mailed to the student if it is required.

Students must submit a petition to change their plan.  This petition must explain what has happened to make the change necessary and how they will be able to make academic progress.

The academic plan may include:

• a listing of courses,
• documentation from the academic department,
• regular scheduled meetings with an academic advisor, and
• additional requirements as determined by the Student Financial Aid Office.

An appeal for reinstatement of financial aid eligibility by a student who does not meet SAP standards and is not in Warning status. The petition must explain why the student failed to make satisfactory progress and what has changed in their situation that will allow them to make satisfactory progress at the next evaluation. 

If a student petitions for federal financial aid reinstatement the student will also be required to sign a Satisfactory Academic Progress acknowledgment form stating that he/she understands all SAP requirements before aid is disbursed. 

Students who fail the satisfactory progress review after the end of the probationary period may only continue to receive aid if they successfully appeal, submit an academic plan, and they are meeting its requirements. 

SAP Petition Form

SAP Documentation Form

What is SAP?

Satisfactory Academic Progress or SAP is a standard set by the Federal Government that all students who receive federal financial aid must meet. The Federal government requires that all institutions that disburse federal aid evaluate students for SAP.

The University of North Dakota evaluates SAP at the end of each semester (fall, spring, and summer). If a student is deemed to not be meeting SAP, they are no longer eligible for federal financial aid for the next semester of enrollment until the student is deemed to be meeting SAP standards.

Institutions must evaluate the student's:

1. Completion rate - students must successfully complete 2/3 or 66.67% of the credits that they attempt.
2. GPA - Students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA (or 3.0 cumulative GPA for graduate students) after their 4th semester of enrollment.
3. Total credits -  Students must not exceed 150% of the amount of credits it takes to complete their degree.
4. Academic standing - Students must maintain good academic standing (not be academically dismissed).

I am now a graduate student, am I still on SAP?

If you were on SAP as an undergraduate and have now become a graduate student, your SAP should “reset” or start over. Please contact our office if you have been accepted into the graduate school and we will reevaluate your SAP status. Documentation from the graduate school may be required.

Will SAP follow me to another school?

All schools must evaluate SAP. Whether or not SAP will follow you to another school depends on how that school accepts transfer credits from UND.

Will SAP hold up my registration?

No. SAP holds only impact your financial aid. You can still register for classes.

I am double majoring...do my maximum credits increase?

Your maximum credits do not increase when you are double majoring. However, if you exceed your maximum credits, our office will take into account both majors. Our office will require documentation from your academic advisor detailing how many credits you have left to take, which classes you will be taking, which semester you will be taking the class, and your anticipated graduation date from every major.

I have transfer credits—do they count toward SAP?

Transfer credits that count toward your current program count both as attempted and completed.  Any letter grades that transfer in (including F's) will be included in your GPA calculationI have completed my previous incompletes... can I get reevaluated for SAP?

Yes, the financial aid office would be happy to reevaluate you!

Do I have to petition?

Students are not required to petition if they are on SAP. However, to reinstate federal financial aid eligibility, the student will need to petition.

What are "extenuating circumstances?"

Extenuating circumstances include but are not limited to: death or illness of a family member or significant person in student's life, illness or injury of the student, familial or personal issues, mental health or emotional problems, and legal issues. Proper documentation must be provided that supports any and all circumstances. Extenuating circumstances do not include: working too much, not understanding the satisfactory academic progress policy, not knowing important academic and financial dates of the university, and being advised by your academic advisor or other university professional.

I worked too much and now am on SAP...is this considered extenuating circumstances?

No. Working too much is not considered an extenuating circumstance.

How long does it take for a petition to be reviewed? How will I know whether it has been approved?

All petitions will be reviewed within 10 business days of receiving them. Please make sure that the petition is legible and signed or the process may be delayed. The petition process is much faster if all documentation is received with the SAP petition. If your petition has been approved, denied, or if our office needs additional information, you will be contacted by your official UND email account. In rare instances, the financial aid office may call you to request additional information.

My petition has been denied, what can I do?

All students who have denied SAP petitions can appeal the initial decision to the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals Board by submitting an appeal in writing to the Vice President for Student Affairs within 15 days of notification of denial. A Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Board consisting of students, faculty, and administrators will review your appeal and render a final decision within 30 days of receipt of written appeal. If you choose, you have the option to be present at the time your appeal is being reviewed. The decision of the Appeal Board will be final. If your appeal is approved, you will be considered to be making a satisfactory rate of progress. You may submit your written appeal to the Vice President for Student Affairs, University of North Dakota, 307 Twamley Hall, 264 Centennial Drive, Stop 7140, Grand Forks, ND 58202-7140.

Who can provide documentation?

Documentation can come from any objective 3rd party that has knowledge about the situation. This includes academic advisors, professors, counselors, physicians, clergy, or any other professional who you may be working with. In most cases, documentation should not come from family members, spouses, friends, co-workers, or supervisors.

In some instances, documentation can be statements, bills, reports, or other legal documents.

Can I still receive alternative (private) loans while on SAP?

Many alternative loans do not require that a student meets SAP, but some do. Please check with your lender of choice to see if they require that you meet SAP.

Will I be able to see my awards if I am on SAP?

If you are currently on SAP and do not have any financial aid awards, you will not be able to see them until a SAP petition has been submitted, reviewed, and approved.

Please contact the Student Financial Aid Office at 701.777.3121, email at sfa@email.und.edu or stop by our office to discuss any other questions about SAP.