UNT Dallas monitors Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) at the end of each term. You must be meeting at least the minimum standards for SAP by the end of any given enrollment period at UNT Dallas to maintain financial aid eligibility.
Various federal and state regulations governing student financial assistance require that an institution develop standards to measure academic progress toward a degree, certificate, or certification. When you apply for financial aid you will be monitored for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for all academic periods you were previously enrolled in. You will not be eligible for financial assistance if you do not meet the SAP requirements. Minimum standards, including qualitative and pace of progression must be met by the end of any given term at UNT Dallas.
Helpful Terms to Understand Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress
- Pace of Progression: the rate at which you are progressing toward the completion of a degree, certificate, or certification.
- Meets SAP: a status assigned to you if you are in good standing and meeting all SAP requirements.
- Warning: a status assigned to you if you failed to meet SAP requirements (qualitative and/or pace of progression). You will still be allowed to receive financial aid during a warning status.
- Not Meets SAP: a status assigned to you if you are not meeting SAP requirements (qualitative, pace of progression and/or maximum hours). You will not be eligible for financial aid with this status.
- Appeal: the process for a student who failed to meet SAP requirements to petition the school for a reconsideration of financial aid (see appeal process for more information).
- Financial Aid Probation: a status assigned to you if you failed to maintain SAP but successfully appeal, permitting you to receive financial aid for a specified amount of time.
- Academic Plan Status: a status assigned to students who will be monitored in accordance with an approved academic plan, permitting you to receive financial aid while on an academic plan.
Qualitative Requirements of Satisfactory Academic Progress
The minimum cumulative UNT Dallas grade point average for undergraduate students is 2.0 for the first term of enrollment and a 2.0 for all subsequent semesters. The minimum cumulative UNT Dallas grade point average for graduate students is 3.0 for the first term of enrollment and a 3.0 for all subsequent semesters. The minimum cumulative grade point average for Law students is a 2.0.
Please Note: When you apply and are accepted to graduate school, your SAP will be measured according to graduate student classification, whether or not a bachelor's degree has been earned. (i.e., 5-year Accounting Program)
Pace of Progression Requirements of Satisfactory Academic Progress
You must successfully complete at least 67% of your cumulative attempted credit hours. Attempted hours include repeated, failed, incomplete, withdrawn from, and transfer credit hours. Pace is measured by dividing the cumulative number of hours successfully completed by the cumulative number of hours attempted as shown below:
Pace = Cumulative # of hours successfully completed
Cumulative # of hours attempted
Example 1: After two terms Tim has attempted a total of 24 hours, but has only completed (earned with a passing grade) 16 hours. Tim’s pace of progression is equal to 66.6% (16/24=66.6%), which is unacceptable because it is below 67%.
Example 2: After four terms Elsa has attempted a total of 60 hours, but has only completed (earned with a passing grade) 45 hours. This student’s pace of progression is equal to 75% (45/60 = 75%), which is acceptable because it is above 67%.
Please Note: You are required to notify Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships BEFORE dropping classes or withdrawing from UNT Dallas. By doing so, you will be advised about current and/or future financial aid eligibility.
Maximum Hour Limit
In addition to meeting qualitative and pace of progression standards, you must not have registered for, earned, or attempted more than a specific cumulative maximum of semester hours as an undergraduate student. This limit is effective whether or not financial aid has ever been applied for or received. The current maximum is 150% of the student’s required degree plan. The maximum includes all hours registered for, earned, or attempted at UNT Dallas and includes transfer credit hours accepted by the University towards a student’s major. This includes hours you have dropped, withdrawn from, failed, duplicated, or never completed. College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and some military hours are subject to further evaluation. If you exceed the maximum number of hours allowed by your degree plan your financial aid will be canceled.
To calculate the number of hours for your financial aid eligibility, use this formula:
________________ X 150% = ________________________
Hours required for degree plan x 150% = Maximum hours allowed for financial aid
Example 1: Sarah is a continuing student with 145 earned/attempted hours with a degree plan that requires 124 hours to complete. Using the formula above, her eligibility would be calculated as follows: 124 hours for her degree plan X 150% = 186 hours of financial aid eligibility. Sarah is under her maximum hours allowed for financial aid and remains eligible for aid as long as all other requirements are met.
Example 2: Gavin is a new transfer student with 191 earned/attempted hours with a degree plan that requires 120 hours to complete. Using the formula above, his eligibility would be calculated as follows: 120 hours for his degree plan X 150% = 180 hours of financial aid eligibility. Gavin is over his maximum hours allowed for financial aid and is not eligible for financial aid. He does have the option to pursue an appeal to be considered for a Financial Aid Probation (see Appeal Process for more information).
For Graduate and Law programs, the maximum timeframe cannot exceed 150% of the published length of the program measured by the number of terms at UNT Dallas. Please note, this includes Fall, Spring and Summer terms of enrollment.
In addition, each post-baccalaureate program has specific aid eligibility guidelines for maximum timeframe and are monitored accordingly. A brochure is available in the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships that contains specifics for these academic programs.
Appeal Process
If you fail to meet SAP standards and consequently lose financial aid eligibility, you may submit a written appeal with supporting documentation for reinstatement of financial aid eligibility if you had mitigating circumstances. Mitigating circumstances include but are not limited to:
- Serious injury of the student and/or the student's immediate family
- Serious extended illness of the student and/or the student's immediate family
- Death of the student's relative
If you have had mitigating circumstances, please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships to pick up an appeal form. The appeal forms are also available in the forms section.
Only one appeal per semester is allowed!
Repeated Coursework
Per federal regulations, a student is not eligible for Title IV financial aid for any course they repeat more than once if they have previously passed the course.
Example: Student took BIOL 101 in Fall 2010 and earned a D. The student can retake the course once and receive financial aid for that course. If the student attempts to take the course a third time, no federal financial aid can be used to pay for that class.
Tips to help you be successful:
- Visit your academic advisor once per term
- Utilize the Learning Center if you need academic assistance
- Monitor your To Do List on your myUNTD student portal
- Check our website regularly for updates and new information
If you have questions regarding Satisfactory Academic Progress, you may visit our office or call us at 972.780.3662