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Federal regulations require students receiving federal financial aid to make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward completion of their degree or certificate at Texas Wesleyan University (TXWES). SAP also applies to most state, institutional, and endowed scholarship programs.
SAP is evaluated at the end of each semester, including summer terms, and applies to all periods of enrollment, even semesters in which a student did not receive financial aid.
How is SAP measured?
SAP is measured using three standards:
1. Grade Point Average (GPA)
- Undergraduate students: minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA
- Graduate students: minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA
2. Completion Rate (Pace)
Students must successfully complete at least 67% of all attempted credit hours.
Pace is calculated as:
Earned Credit Hours ÷ Attempted Credit Hours = Completion Rate
- Attempted credits include: withdrawals, failures, incompletes, repeated courses, transfer credits accepted toward the degree, and consortium coursework.
- Earned credits include: courses completed with passing grades.
3. Maximum Timeframe
Federal regulations limit financial aid eligibility to 150% of the published length of the student’s academic program, measured in attempted credit hours.
All attempted credits count toward the maximum timeframe, including:
- Transfer credits applied to the degree
- Withdrawals and failed courses
- Repeated coursework
Students may become ineligible for financial aid before reaching 150% if it is mathematically impossible to complete the program within the maximum timeframe.
Maximum Timeframe Examples
Example 1:
Mia is pursuing a 120‑credit undergraduate degree.
120 × 150% = 180 attempted credits
Mia may receive financial aid for up to 180 attempted credits.
Example 2:
Luther transfers 48 credits toward a 125‑credit degree.
125 × 150% = 188 credits
188 − 48 transfer credits = 140 credits of remaining eligibility
Example 3:
Michael completed a bachelor’s degree and begins a 60‑credit graduate program.
60 × 150% = 90 attempted credits
Undergraduate credits do not apply toward the graduate maximum timeframe.
Grades and SAP
Passing Grades (Earned Credits)
- A, B, C, D, P, CR
(P and CR are not included in GPA calculations)
Non‑Passing Grades (Attempted but Not Earned)
Audited courses are not eligible for federal or state financial aid.
Repeated Courses
Federal regulations limit aid eligibility for repeated coursework:
- Students may receive aid for a course previously failed.
- Students may receive aid to repeat a previously passed course one additional time.
- After a course has been passed twice, it is no longer eligible for financial aid.
Credits from ineligible repeats are excluded from enrollment for aid purposes.
Remedial (Ram Success) Coursework
Students may receive federal aid for up to 30 remedial credit hours.
Remedial credits:
- Do not count toward maximum timeframe
- Do count toward GPA
SAP Statuses
- Satisfactory: Meeting all SAP standards; eligible for financial aid
- Warning: Did not meet GPA and/or pace requirements; eligible for aid for one semester
- Unsatisfactory: Did not meet SAP after Warning; financial aid suspended
- Probation: SAP appeal approved; eligible for aid under specified conditions
SAP Appeals
Students in Unsatisfactory or Maximum Timeframe status may submit a SAP appeal.
Appeals must include:
- A written explanation of extenuating circumstances
- Supporting documentation
- A plan demonstrating how SAP standards will be met
Students may be required to work with an academic advisor to develop an Academic Plan. Failure to meet the terms of an approved appeal or Academic Plan will result in loss of financial aid eligibility.
The Office of Financial Aid may approve appeals on a case‑by‑case basis in accordance with federal regulations.
Withdrawing From Classes
Dropping or withdrawing from courses can affect both SAP and federal aid eligibility. Withdrawal from all courses may also trigger a Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) calculation, which can result in repayment of financial aid.
Students considering withdrawal should contact the Office of Financial Aid before making enrollment changes.
How to Stay in Good Standing
- Attend and participate in all registered courses
- Seek help early from instructors or academic advisors
- Monitor your academic progress each semester
- Contact the Office of Financial Aid with questions about your aid
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