Satisfactory Academic Progress

NAU evaluates all students with a financial aid record for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) which affects eligibility for federal and state financial aid and may be considered by some private lenders and scholarship donors.

What you need to know

All students for whom a financial aid record exists are evaluated annually for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). A financial aid record is created when a student receives any type of financial aid award or for whom NAU receives the results of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Federal and state financial aid includes:

  • federal grants such as Pell and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG)
  • federal student and parent loans such as Direct Loans
  • federal Work-Study Program
  • state grants such as University and Financial Aid Trust Grants

Some lenders of private/alternative loans and scholarship donors may also consider a student’s SAP status when evaluating eligibility.

SAP standards apply to all students evaluated; however, only eligibility for federal and state financial aid is affected. NAU Students must meet all three of the following standards:

1.  Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)
  • Undergraduate students must maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.
  • Graduate students must maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.

Only NAU course grades are included in the cumulative GPA. Transfer credits or other non-qualifying credit hours are not included in the calculation.

NOTE: If taking a pass/fail course, please keep in mind that a passing grade will not count toward a student’s GPA, but a failing grade will.

2.  Pace of progress

Students must maintain a minimum 67% pace of progress, which is calculated by the total sum of successfully completed credit hours divided by the total attempted credit hours, i.e., Completed ÷ Attempted = Pace of Progress.

Transfer hours count as both completed and attempted. Incompletes (I) and In Progress (IP) are considered attempted, but not completed until the grade(s) are posted.

NOTE: Only career-appropriate courses count toward pace. For example, undergraduate courses taken by graduate students do not count as earned credits, which can have a negative effect on pace.

3.  Maximum timeframe

Students must complete a degree within a certain number of credits. Official credit requirements based on your career major are listed in the academic catalog.

Undergraduate students must complete a degree within 150% of the number of credit hours required for the degree program, as published in the academic catalog. Example: Most undergraduate degrees require 120 credits, so students are allowed funding up to 180 credits.

Graduate students must complete a degree within the number of credit hours as outlined below for the degree program, as published in the academic catalog.

  • Masters students: NAU grants an additional 18 graduate credits over and above those required for the degree program for completion of the degree.
    • Example: Most graduate programs require 36 credits, so students are allowed funding up to 54 credits.
  • Doctoral students: NAU grants an additional 30 graduate credits over and above those required for the degree program for completion of the degree.

Certificate programs

Students must complete a certificate program within the number of credit hours required for the certificate, as published in the academic catalog. Not all certificate programs are eligible for federal or state aid.

Students that are in a certificate program AND a degree program are granted the exact amount of credits required to obtain both programs and are not eligible for buffer credits. This policy aligns with the federal regulations for certificate programs that states students can only be funded for the exact amount of credits required for the certificate.

NOTE: Maximum timeframe is measured by academic career, undergraduate, or graduate. Beginning a new program in the same career does not restart the timeframe calculation. Students are limited to one appeal for maximum timeframe per program per career.

SAP statuses

It is important that students understand their SAP status and the action(s) needed to remain eligible for federal and state financial aid. The following are SAP statuses assigned to a student after a SAP evaluation:

Meets all SAP standards

Student is in good standing. Student meets all three SAP standards and is eligible to receive financial aid for the current and upcoming academic year.

SAP suspension

Student does not meet one or more of the three SAP standards and is no longer eligible for financial aid for the current or upcoming academic year. Student may log in to LOUIE to view the standard(s) that is/are not met and make a SAP appeal.

SAP probation

Student had a SAP appeal approved, and must meet one or more conditions to maintain aid eligibility. Student’s SAP status will be evaluated at the end of each term to review progress on the conditions.

Students who failed to meet one or more of the SAP standards and are on SAP suspension may do one of two things for reconsideration of federal or state financial aid:

  • If the SAP suspension is a result of cumulative GPA or pace of progress, students can successfully complete courses without financial aid to improve the cumulative GPA and the pace percentage.
  • For any of the three failed SAP standards, students can submit an appeal.

Students may submit an appeal for any of the three Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) statuses. The appeal form and all required documentation should be submitted to NAU Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid (OSFA) at the same time to avoid delays in processing. Allow up to 15 business days to receive a decision via NAU email. Submission of an appeal is not a guarantee of approval and/or reinstatement of financial aid eligibility.

Submit a SAP appeal
  • For new or returning NAU students, SAP evaluation takes place immediately upon admission to the university and the creation of a financial aid record. A financial aid record is created when a student receives any type of an award or for whom NAU receives the results of a FAFSA.
  • OSFA evaluates SAP annually at the end of each spring semester. If a student attends summer classes, then they are also evaluated at the end of the summer term. Both evaluations set the student’s SAP status for the upcoming award year, which begins in the fall. Students who are suspended after the spring evaluation retain eligibility for the summer.
  • Students on SAP probation and/or are in a certificate-only program are evaluated at the end of each semester after grades post, including summer.
  • If at the time of evaluation a student has incomplete grades, they can not be re-evaluated until the next evaluation if they are changed to a grade after evaluation. Therefore, we cannot retroactively change the student’s SAP status.
  • SAP statuses are assigned based on the results of the evaluation and may be viewed via a student’s LOUIE account under the Financial Aid link.
  • A SAP status of “Meets all SAP Standards” or “SAP Probation” is required to be considered for federal or state funding. If students are awarded federal or state funds, and their status changes to “SAP Suspension,” the federal or state funds awarded will not be disbursed.
  • If a student’s status is SAP suspension, a To Do List item will exist on LOUIE that explains the specific SAP standard that was not met.
  • All students will be contacted via their NAU email explaining their SAP status.

Satisfactory Academic Progress FAQs

Does SAP federal policy apply to my NAU academic standing?

No. SAP rules and standards determine financial aid eligibility and do not govern academic standing.

What if I’m seeking both an NAU certificate and a degree?

You’ll be evaluated based on SAP rules for a degree. Evaluation will be done annually and the 150% maximum timeframe allowance applies. Contact us if you believe your SAP evaluation is incorrect.

How do my transfer credits affect my SAP standing?

Transfer credits posted on your unofficial transcript are counted toward both total completed and total attempted credit hours. Your pace of progress and maximum timeframe evaluations are both affected by these credits.

I’m seeking a dual-major. How will my NAU financial aid eligibility be affected?

You’ll be suspended for the maximum timeframe once you have attempted 150 credit hours. You will be required to complete the SAP appeal process, including an SAP Academic Plan if you wish to be reconsidered for financial aid.

I am in an NAU certificate program. How is my SAP calculated?

Evaluation for students in certificate programs takes place at the end of every semester. The calculations are the same as for students in degree programs; however maximum timeframe suspension is based on total attempted credit hours reaching the actual number of published credit hours required to complete the program. The 150% allowance does not apply. All other SAP requirements apply.

Is my SAP evaluated in summer?

Yes. If you enroll in summer courses, SAP is evaluated after final summer grades post in August. If you’re suspended for pace of progress and/or GPA, you may regain your financial aid eligibility for fall by successfully earning summer credits.

How does NAU academic renewal affect SAP?

SAP calculations are not reset because of academic renewal. Per federal regulations, all enrollment history is taken into account and all previously attempted credits and grades are included when SAP is evaluated, regardless of your approved academic recalculation.

What are “attempted” credit hours?

Credits attempted but not completed include grades of W, I, IP, AU (audited), blank grades, and grades that indicate unsatisfactory performance. Credits attempted and completed are all credits with passing grades, including transfer credits.

I’m working on my NAU thesis/dissertation. How do my IP grades affect my SAP standing?

IP grades are considered attempted, not completed; however, they might not cause SAP suspension for pace of progress. It depends on your pace percentage prior to accumulating them. Contact us if you’re placed on SAP suspension and believe your IP grades are inaccurately affecting your pace of progress. IP grades affect the maximum timeframe by counting toward total attempted credit hours. You will be required to appeal to regain financial aid eligibility if you are suspended for the maximum timeframe.

I’m working on an NAU bachelor’s degree and have been suspended for the maximum timeframe, but I’ve earned fewer than 180 credit hours. Why?

The 150% rule is the federal limit; however, we are required to evaluate your progress toward program completion prior to reaching this limit. Suspension occurs upon attempting at least 150 credit hours so we can ensure that you’re on track to graduate within the 180 credit hour limit. Follow the SAP appeal process if you wish be reconsidered for financial aid. A completed SAP Academic Plan is required.

How are repeated courses evaluated for SAP?

Each semester the student is enrolled in the same course, it is counted as credit hours attempted. Repeated-course hours are counted as completed the first time a passing grade is earned. Other times the course is taken, the hours are counted as attempted but not completed, which affects your pace of progress evaluation.

I’ve earned my bachelor’s at NAU and now wish to go to graduate school. How does this affect my financial aid SAP evaluation?

This is known as a “career change”—you’re transitioning from an undergraduate to a graduate career—and your SAP calculations will be reset. Your attempted and completed credit hours that are used to calculate pace of progress and maximum timeframe standards start over at zero, as well as your cumulative GPA.

I’ve earned my bachelor’s at NAU and now wish to pursue a post-baccalaureate degree. How does this affect my financial aid?

Unless you change academic careers (see Q/A above), all attempted and completed hours are considered in the SAP calculation for your post-baccalaureate program. Credit hours transferred in from a bachelor’s degree are counted as well. Your current NAU cumulative GPA is also considered.

My SAP status says “unknown.” What does that mean?

We are unable to calculate your SAP status due to missing information, such as a term GPA. If no term GPA exists, then we are unable to calculate your cumulative GPA. Missing information causes financial aid SAP suspension and you are ineligible to receive federal, state, or institutional funding until this is resolved. You cannot appeal this status. This does not happen very often. Contact us with questions.

My NAU program requires more than the usual number of credit hours. Will I be suspended when I attempt more than the allowed amount?

All degrees requiring more credit hours than the standard amount are noted in the SAP evaluation process for maximum timeframe. Contact us if you believe you shouldn’t be on SAP suspension because of the length of your program.

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