ECSU SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS POLICY
The Satisfactory Academic Progress policy at Eastern Connecticut State University applies to student aid applicants only. The policy is based on federal guidelines that require each college and university to ensure that student aid applicants are progressing through their academic programs at an acceptable pace while maintaining an acceptable cumulative grade point average. This policy is separate and apart from other academic policies at the university.
The SAP policy includes the four standards. Students failing one or more of the standards are determined to be academically ineligible to receive financial aid from the programs managed by the Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs Office for the entire academic year (e.g. Fall, Spring and/or Summer semesters).
Financial Aid Programs Impacted by SAP Standards
Federal Pell Grant
Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant
Federal SMART Grant
Federal TEACH Grant
Federal SEOG
Federal Perkins Loan
Federal Stafford Loan (subsidized and unsubsidized)
Federal PLUS Loan
Federal Grad PLUS Loan
Federal Work Study
Federal Veterans Educational Benefits
CT Aid to Public College Students Grant
CT Capitol Scholarship
CT GEAR UP Scholarship
CT GEAR UP II Scholarship
Designated State Scholarship and Grant Programs Designated Alternative/Private Loans
SAP Standards
• Grade Point Average: Undergraduate and graduate students are expected to maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least a 2.0 at Eastern Connecticut State University.
• Credit Completion Rate: Undergraduate and graduate students are expected to successfully complete at least 67% of the credits attempted at Eastern Connecticut State University.
• Years of Enrollment at Eastern: Undergraduate students are required to complete a Bachelors Degree within 6 six years (or the full-time equivalent - 144 credits attempted), although a 4 year timeframe is preferred. Graduate students are expected to complete a Masters Degree within 3 years (or the full-time equivalent - 54 credits attempted).
• Credits Earned without Degree Completion: Undergraduate students are required to have earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Eastern Connecticut State University once they have earned 180 credits (includes transfer credits). Graduate students are required to have earned a Masters Degree from Eastern Connecticut State University once they have completed 45 credits (includes transfer credits).
SAP Review Process
Each year after Spring semester grades are posted, the Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs Office reviews the academic records of financial aid applicants for the upcoming academic year. Students who meet the academic standards required by the policy will not be notified. However, academic progress for this group will be reviewed at the end of the Fall semester to determine continued compliance. Students who are out of compliance at that time will be placed on SAP probation. SAP probation serves as advance notice that a student’s financial aid eligibility for the next academic year is in jeopardy.
Students failing one of more of the SAP policy standards are notified by letter and by email (Eastern email address). The communication advises the students that they are not eligible to receive financial aid for the school year due to unsatisfactory academic progress. Therefore, funds previously awarded for the upcoming school year must be canceled.
If a student has not yet been awarded financial aid once the SAP review process begins (June or July) and the student is determined to be in violation of one or more of the SAP standards, that student will not be awarded funds unless the student submits an appeal and receives a favorable response. Otherwise the student is considered to be academically ineligible for funds.
Appeal Process
If an undergraduate or graduate student fails one or more of the SAP standards due to special or unusual circumstances, the student may submit an Application for a Waiver of the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy requirements. Requests are approved or denied for the entire academic year (e.g. Fall, Spring, and/or Summer semesters).
Questions
Questions regarding the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy requirements and/or process should be directed the Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs Office via email at financialaid@easternct.edu and/or by calling (860) 465-5205. Members of the Client Services staff are available to assist Monday - Friday from 8:00am - 5:00pm.
Revised 9/3/2009
