Post on 14-Feb-2020
Achieving Satisfactory Academic Progress
Presented By University Advising and Financial Aid
ASAP:
Achieving Satisfactory Academic Progress
At the end of this session you should be able to:
Understand how SAP affects financial aid eligibility
Learn how to calculate your GPA
Know the difference between SAP and UMASS Boston academic
standing
Make informed decisions
Determine if you may appeal your ineligibility for financial aid
based on extenuating circumstances
Federal Regulations
▸ Federal regulations requires colleges and universities to
monitor three standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress
(SAP):
▸ Grade Point Average (GPA)
▸ 2.0 or better GPA is required
▸ Pace (completion rate)
▸ Must complete 67% of attempted credits
▸ Time Frame (maximum credits attempted)
▸ 150% of degree credits required for degree; for example,150% of
a 120 credit program is 180 credits.
▸ Affects financial aid eligibility
▸ Students who are not meeting SAP standards are not
eligible for financial aid funds
▸ There is an appeal process for extenuating circumstances
How SAP Affects Financial Aid Eligibility
▸ Students who are not in good SAP standing are not eligible for
Federal, State or Institutional Aid. Examples of each type of aid
include (but are not limited to):
▸ Federal Aid
▸ Pell Grant
▸ SEOG (Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant)
▸ Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans
▸ Parent Plus Loans
▸ Federal Work Study
▸ State Aid
▸ Mass Grant
▸ Mass Cash Grant
▸ Need Based Tuition Credit
▸ Institutional Aid
▸ UMass Boston Grants
Some lenders for private/alternative education loans require
students to be in good SAP standing, check terms and conditions.
How is GPA calculated?UMB Grading System
Grades and TranscriptsRight click to open the hyperlink
Where do I find my GPA?
Degree Progress
Report
Transcript
How is GPA calculated?
Multiply the grade points for each course by the number of
credit hours each course is worth. The resulting value is
referred to as “Quality Points”
Add together earned quality points for all courses completed
in a semester
Divide the sum by the total number of completed semester
credit hours
Credit Hours Grade (Equivalent) Quality pts
3 x C- (1.7) = 5.1
3 x B- (2.7) = 8.1
3 x C- (1.7) = 5.1
3 x C- (1.7) = 5.1
TOTAL: 12 23.4
23.4 (Quality pts) ÷ 12 (credit hrs) = 1.95 semester GPA
UMASS Boston GPA Calculator
GPA Calculator
http://www.pcesp.umb.edu/gpa/gpa.php
Note: This calculator is for estimating purpose only
Academic Standing
Dean’s List/Honors
Good Standing
Alert
Warning
Probation
Extended Probation
Suspension
Dismissal
3.5+
Less than 2.0
2.0
Pace
Successfully completed credits ÷ Attempted credits
You must complete, with passing grades, 67%
(two-thirds) of the total number of credits you attempt.
This includes non-degree coursework, and courses you might
have taken at UMB many years ago
Grades of F, W, INC, or NA must be counted
as ‘attempts’
Transfer credits count as both attempted and earned
How Pace Works
Kim’s first year
FALL 2017 GRADE CREDITS
ENGL 101 B+ 3
MATH 115 W 3
PHIL 108 A 3
EEOS 120 B 3
EEOS 121 W 1
SPRING 2018 GRADE CREDITS
ECON 101 INC 3
ENGL 102 W 3
SPAN 101 NA 4
PHIL 110G W 4
Total Credits
Attempted
Total Credits
Completed
Completion Rate
27 9 9/27 = 33%
Time Frame
▸ Students may not attempt more than 150% of the program
length in order to receive financial aid
▸ For most undergraduate programs, this limit is 180
credits
▸ Double majors – If all requirements are met for one major,
they are ineligible for financial aid
▸ A copy of the Degree Audit is required for all time frame
appeals
▸ Please note that there are limits on federal loans and Pell
grants that may apply even if you are meeting SAP
standards and/or have an appeal approved
Loan and Pell Aggregates
There is a limit to the amount of federal loans and Pell grants
students receive.
▸ Undergraduate Dependent Students
▸ Subsidized – $23,000
▸ Total subsidized and unsubsidized - $31,000
▸ Undergraduate Independent Students
▸ Subsidized - $23,000
▸ Total subsidized and unsubsidized - $57,500
▸ Pell Grant
▸ 600% (6-years of full-time status)
▸ View your Federal loan and Pell Grant history at
www.studentaid.gov , login using your FSA/FAFSA
credentials
Academic Standing vs.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Academic Standing
▸ Institutional Policy
Based only on your GPA
Affects your academic status with the university
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
▸ Federal Policy
Based on GPA, Pace & Time Frame
Affects financial aid eligibility
Informed Decisions
-Grading/course options Grading Options
Pass/Fail
Course Withdrawal
University Withdrawal
Incompletes
Resources
options
-Resources
Pass-Fail Grading Option
Pass = P (not in GPA)
Fail = F (in GPA)
Things to consider:
1. Talk to your instructor
2. Some majors/minors don’t allow Pass-Fail: CHECK!
3. Declare Pass-Fail via WISER by deadline
4. Maximum of eight, one per semester
Pass-Fail Grading OptionRight click to open the hyperlink
“P” with Pass-Fail
With Letter Grade With Pass/Fail
ENGL 101: C
MATH 115: C
PHIL108: C
PSYCH100: D
Semester GPA: 1.75
ENGL101: C
MATH115: C
PHIL108: C
PSYCH100: P
Semester GPA: 2.0
Course Withdrawal Option
Withdrawal = “W” on transcript (not in GPA)
Student pays for the course
Things to consider:
1. Talk to your instructor
2. Talk to your advisor
3. Impacts financial aid – contact the financial aid office
before withdrawing from a course.
4. Declare “W” via WISER by deadline
Course Withdrawal OptionRight click to open the hyperlink
University WithdrawalRight click to open the hyperlink
Must submit undergraduate withdrawal form by last day of classes.
“F” vs. “W”
“F” with Pass/Fail With Withdrawal
ENGL 101: C
MATH115: C
PHIL108: F
PSYCH100: C
Semester GPA: 1.5
ENGL 101: C
MATH115: C
PHIL108: W
PSYCH100: C
Semester GPA: 2.0
Course Withdrawals vs. University Withdrawals
▸ Course Withdrawals
▸ Withdrawing from individual courses, while still
remaining enrolled
▸ Still have to pay for courses
▸ No financial aid adjustments to current semester
▸ Affects SAP – Pace/Time Frame
▸ University Withdrawal
▸ Full withdrawal from all of your classes
▸ Financial aid is prorated based on last date of
attendance
▸ Still charged for courses
▸ Could result in balance owed
▸ Affects SAP – Pace/Time Frame
NA Grades
NA grades indicate that the student never attended the
course.
Financial aid is prorated for every NA grade posted
For Example:
Credits Attempted: 10
Financial Aid Awarded on 10 credits
NA grade posted in a 4cr course
Financial Aid is adjusted to 6 credits
Student is still charged for 10 credits
COURSE CREDITS GRADE
English 101 3 (In Progress)
Spanish 101 3 (In Progress)
BIOL 111 4 NA
No Passing Grades
▸ Students who do not receive any passing grades for a
semester will have their financial aid prorated based on the
last date of an academic related activity.
▸ Treated as a semester withdrawal for financial aid
purposes
▸ May result in a balance owed
Incomplete
▸ Incomplete (“INC”) grades may be granted by the instructor. The
INC is granted only if the student has extenuating circumstances
that prevents them from completing coursework before the end of
the semester.
▸ The student and instructor must fill out an Incomplete Contract
before the INC grade can be granted. A copy of this contract must
be included with the SAP appeal.
▸ INC grades must be completed within one year.
▸ Instructors may impose a stricter deadline
▸ INC grades not changed to a letter grade within one year will be
graded as “IF”. This is considered a failing grade and will be factored
as an “F” in the GPA.
Incomplete Grade Policy
Repeat Policy
Maximum of four repeats allowed
Both the first and the second earned grades appear on transcripts
When student repeats a course, the first grade comes out of the
GPA, and the second grade replaces the first
Credit is only earned once
Each repeat counts as an attempt for SAP
Example: You failed English 101. This counts as 3 credits
attempted, 0 credit completed.You repeat and pass English 101
the next term. SAP calculates this as 6 credits attempted, 3
completed.
Students cannot retake a course out of sequence (cannot repeat
SPAN 101 after passing SPAN 102)
Financial aid restrictions may apply for previously passed courses
Course Repeat Policy
Right click to open the hyperlink
SAP Appeal Process
▸ Check your WISER to-do list to determine what you need
to submit for your appeal
▸ Attend Achieving Satisfactory Academic Progress
Workshop (ASAP)
▸ Write your personal statement that explains why you failed
to meet SAP standards, what has changed and/or the
steps you are taking to meet SAP standards by the end of
the semester.
▸ Submit documentation to support your appeal
▸ If you have an Academic Plan on your to-do list, meet with
your assigned academic advisor to complete an Academic
Plan
▸ Submit completed appeal to Financial Aid
Personal Statement
▸ You must submit a signed typewritten statement describing:
▸ The reasons/circumstances why you are not meeting
SAP standards. Be as specific as possible. Explain all
F’s, Withdrawals and Incompletes (provide a copy of
your incomplete contract).
▸ How your circumstances have changed that will allow
you to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.
Outline the specific steps you are taking to get back on
track.
▸ Attach documentation to support your appeal
Personal Statement
p INDICATE REASON/CIRCUMSTANCES EXAMPLES OF SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Student’s own mental or physical illness, injury or disability
Letter from health care provider
Dates of hospital stays
Discharge paperwork
Death of a family member or significant person in your life (list your relationship to the deceased)
Death certificate
Obituary
Memorial/funeral service pamphlet
Divorce/Separation of Parents or Student
Divorce Decree
Separation paperwork
Letter from attorney
Any other official court documents
Family financial hardships Letter from employer
Serious illness or injury of a family member
Letter from family member’s health care
provider or social worker stating the need for
student to be a caregiver
Legal obligations/circumstances Copy of police reports
Copy of court documents
Victim of Assault or Domestic Violence
Copy of police reports
Copy of restraining order(s)
Letter from a Social Worker or other
professional familiar with the case
Other Personal Circumstances Provide supporting documentation
Examples of Extenuating Circumstances
Deadlines
SAP Deadlines
▸ Fall SAP Appeals: October 1st
▸ Spring SAP Appeals: April 1st
▸ Summer SAP Appeals July 1st
Important University Deadlines – Spring 2019
▸ Add/Drop: February 4th
▸ Pass/Fail, Withdrawal: April 19th
Academic Plan
▸ Only complete the academic plan if noted on your WISER
to-do list
▸ Download academic plan from financial aid website:
https://finaid.umb.edu/apply/forms.
▸ Schedule a 1 hour appointment with your advisor
▸ See first page of academic plan for advisor/success
center information)
▸ Please do not attempt to complete your plan during a
walk-in session
▸ The academic plan is a contract, you must adhere to the
plan. Please contact your advisor if you need to make any
changes.
▸ You will NOT receive financial aid if your appeal is not
approved. If approved, you must follow your academic plan
to continue receiving financial aid.
Where to complete your academic plan
College Affiliation Location
Students readmitted through the Standards &
Credits process (CLA, CSM, SFE, ECHD, CPCS)
Office of Undergraduate Studies
Campus Center, 1st floor, room 1300. 617-287-6360
Undeclared students, Colleges of Liberal Arts &
Science and Math
University Advising Center, Campus Center, 1st floor, room
1100, 617-287-5500
College of Liberal Arts declared students
CLA Advising Office, Wheatley Building, 2nd floor, Suite 4,
617-287-5721
http://umb.edu/claadvising
College of Science & Mathematics declared
students
CSM Success Center, Science Building, 2nd floor, room 60,
617-287-4846
https://www.umb.edu/academics/csm/student_success_center
College of Management students with fewer than
60 credits
University Advising Center, Campus Center, 1st floor, room
1100, 617-287-5500
College of Management students with more than 60
credits
CM Student Services, McCormack Building, 5th floor, room
610, 617-287-7625
College of Education and Human Development
Wheatley Building, 1st floor, room 51,
617-287-7625
College of Public and Community Services with
less than 60 credits
University Advising Center, Campus Center, 1st floor, room
1100, 617-287-5500
College of Public and Community Services with
more than 60 credits Wheatley Building, 4th floor, room 151, 617-287-7100
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Science Building, 2nd floor, room 13,
617-287-7500
Student Support Services (SSS)Campus Center, 1st floor, room 1100,
617-287-5820
SAP Appeal Process
Check your Wiser student center for information regarding your
Financial Aid SAP Appeal Status
For follow up questions, contact:
Financial Aid Services
Kim Fragopoulos
Student Retention Specialist
kim.fragopoulos@umb.edu
Phone: 617.287.6341 Fax: 617-287-6323
Lena Quadros
Senior Associate Director
lena.quadros@umb.edu
Phone: 617-287-6383 Fax: 617-287-6323
Next Steps
Financial Aid Appeals committee will notify you of
their decision within 14 business days of receipt of
completed appeal
Appeals which are approved will be on a
probationary basis and will be reviewed after one
semester.
Students who are approved will be awarded based
on available funding.
If your appeal is DENIED, you will not be eligible to
receive Financial Aid until you meet the
requirements of Satisfactory Academic Progress
Have a back up plan for tuition payment in case
your appeal is denied. Consider setting up a
payment plan with the Bursar’s Office
SAP Status Page in WISER
SAP Status Page in WISER – Appeal
Approved
SAP Status Page in WISER – Appeal
Denied
Resources
▸ Academic Support Services - CC-1-1300
▸ Reading, Writing, Study Strategy Center, & Skills Workshops
▸ Healey Library, Quinn Administration Building
▸ Subject and Math tutoring
▸ University Advising Center – CC-1-1100
▸ Career Services - CC- 1- 1300
▸ Disability Services(Ross Center),CC-UL-240
▸ Counseling Center- Quinn- 2- 39
▸ Health Center- Quinn- 2- 40
▸ College Success Centers, check with your college
Questions?