SAP – Frequently Asked Questions

No, the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy is separate and distinct from the University’s Academic Policy. The Financial Aid SAP policy includes 3 criteria; Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.0 or better, Credit Completion Ratio of 67% or better, and Maximum Time Frame of 150% of the program. The University’s Academic Policy only measures the Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.0 or better.

Yes, both must be completed. Completing an appeal for one does not satisfy the requirement for the other.

Yes, the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy applies to all students seeking financial aid no matter when they last attended the University.

Yes, graduate students must earn 70 percent of their attempted credits and maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA after attempting 12 or more credits.

All financial aid applicants are subject to the standards of the SAP Policy regardless of whether or not aid was received in the past.

View the financial aid SAP policy here

Yes, students can view the financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal pointers here under Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Tips.

An appeal is a process by which a student who is not meeting SAP standards petitions the school for reconsideration of his/her eligibility for financial aid funds. The appeal must include a narrative of the extenuating circumstances (e.g., the student or an immediate family member suffered a serious illness or injury, death of a close relative, separation or divorce) that prevented the student from meeting the minimum requirements, and reasonable explanation of the expectation that the event/ circumstances will not re-occur. Students are required to upload pertinent documentation supporting their appeal. Furthermore, students are expected to describe their academic plan to succeed in their program of study as well as carefully review their academic history before submitting the appeal.

Appeals will be accepted only online. Students identified as not making SAP will receive correspondence at their campus e-mail address in the month of June. A link will be provided to submit your appeal.

These involve circumstances beyond the student’s control that have had an impact upon the student’s academic performance. (e.g., the student or an immediate family member suffered a serious illness or injury, death of a close relative, separation or divorce).

Yes, documentation is required. Appeals will not be reviewed without documentation.

You may upload doctor’s notes, academic counselor or advisor’s tips and suggestions, divorce decree or separation, medical notes from your doctor, or change of employment, medical bills, police reports, accident reports, or other information that explains and supports the appeal.

This is a plan set up by the student and an advisor to ensure that the student will meet the standards of SAP. Examples of an Academic Plan include earning certain grades to raise a cumulative GPA, not withdrawing or earning F or D grades in any coursework in order to raise the completion rate to 67%, or a combination of the two.

Probation is a status that a school assigns to a student who is failing to make SAP and who successfully appeals. Eligibility for aid may be reinstated for one payment period or semester. Students’ SAP will be evaluated at the end of the probationary semester to determine if they are making progress.

Yes, in some cases a student might not yet be meeting the standards for SAP but may be making progress. As long as students do not earn F or D grades and do not withdraw from any classes, they can remain on probation. Students will be removed from probation once they raise their cumulative GPA to a 2.0 or better and achieve a completion rate of 67 percent or better.

Yes, all grades — even those no longer counted by the University — are included in the SAP evaluation. Academic Amnesty does not pertain to Financial Aid SAP. This is why the completion rate and cumulative GPA on a student’s transcript may not match the cumulative GPA and completion rate derived from the financial aid calculation.

The GPA is derived by dividing the total QUALITY POINTS by the total QUALITY HOURS. Students are evaluated after attempting 24 credits, including transfer credits.

Each year, a student’s progress will be measured by comparing the number of attempted credit hours with the credit hours earned. This includes any course for which the student has remained enrolled past the drop/add period. After a student has attempted 24 credits, he or she must earn 67 percent of the cumulative attempted credits to maintain satisfactory academic progress.

The minimum number of credit hours needed to complete an undergraduate program is 120. A student is eligible to receive funding up to 180 attempted credit hours, which is the maximum time frame measure (150 percent). Some programs limit funding on a semester basis. Students who attempt and earn only the minimum amount of credit hours required will run out of eligibility for certain state financial aid programs prior to completing their degree.

Dropping a course or withdrawing from all of your courses after the end of the 100 percent refund period will result in a W grade on the student's transcript for that term. This will negatively affect the student's credit completion rate (67% rule).

A student who has lost financial aid eligibility may regain eligibility after taking college credit coursework at his/her own expense (self-pay) and meeting minimum requirements of 2.0 Cumulative GPA and a 67 percent completion rate within the 150 percent timeframe.

The University offers a Tuition Installment Plan (TIP) with affordable payment options. Questions regarding the payment plans should be directed to Student Enrollment Services at studentservices@wpunj.edu or by calling 973-720-3945. To apply for alternative/private loans (do not apply for an NJCLASS loan and be mindful of other lenders that may require satisfactory academic progress). You should conduct your own alternative loan research and seek the best available rates. Alternative/private loans may take the lender approximately fifteen (15) business days for processing. A student who has lost financial aid eligibility may regain eligibility after taking college credit coursework at his/her own expense (self-pay) and meeting minimum requirements of 2.0 Cumulative GPA and a 67 percent completion rate within the 150 percent timeframe.

Depending on volume, students can expect the results of their appeals within 10 to 15 days. Notification will be sent via your university email.

SAP evaluation occurs annually, once a year, at the end of the spring semester payment period. Students on probation will have their SAP evaluated at the end of the probationary semester to determine if they are making progress.

Students not meeting SAP standards are not eligible for federal or state aid and in some cases institutional aid. A PLUS loan is a federal loan, therefore, a student would not be eligible for a federal PLUS loan or the Federal Direct Student Loan. Students are not eligible for the Federal Work Study program, the Federal Perkins Loan, and the Federal SEOG grant. Students are not eligible for the NJ TAG award, EOF, NJSTARS, NJCLASS or any other state program. To apply for alternative/private loans (do not apply for an NJCLASS loan and be mindful of other lenders that may require satisfactory academic progress). You should conduct your own alternative loan research and seek the best available rates. Alternative/private loans may take the lender approximately fifteen (15) business days for processing.

Yes, the deadlines are:
Fall Semester: August 8
Spring Semester: December 15

Yes, a student who misses the fall deadline may submit an appeal for the spring semester prior to December 15.

It is recommended that all documents be uploaded in PDF format. Appeal letters, documents and academic plans are stored in a secure website that is only viewable by the SAP Appeals Committee members.

Normally a student who does not meet their academic plan is not eligible for financial aid. In some cases a student might not be meeting the standards for SAP but may be making progress. As long as a student does not earn F or D grades and does not withdraw from any classes, he or she can remain on probation. Students will be removed from probation once they raise their cumulative GPA to a 2.0 or better and achieve a completion rate of 67 percent or better.

FA-APPEALS@wpunj.edu

A student who has lost financial aid eligibility may regain eligibility after taking college credit coursework at his/her own expense (self-pay) and meeting minimum requirements of 2.0 Cumulative GPA and a 67 percent completion rate within the 150 percent timeframe. The University offers a Tuition Installment Plan (TIP) with affordable payment options. Questions regarding the payment plans should be directed to Student Enrollment Services at studentservices@wpunj.edu or by calling 973-720-3945. To apply for alternative/private loans (do not apply for an NJCLASS loan and be mindful of other lenders that may require satisfactory academic progress) access the Financial Aid homepage for further details. You should conduct your own alternative loan research and seek the best available rates. Alternative/private loans may take the lender approximately fifteen (15) business days for processing.

No, a student must meet both standards: cumulative GPA of 2.0 and a completion rate of 67 percent to be eligible for financial aid.