(714) 484-7000

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy

Home » Financial Aid » Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy
What does SAP stand for?

To remain eligible for federal financial aid, students must meet SAP standards, which are reviewed after each term. 

Academic Standards

  • Grade Point Average (GPA): Maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
  • Completion Rate: Successfully complete at least 67% of all attempted units, including evaluated transfer credits.

Students whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 or whose completion rate drops below 67% will be placed on Financial Aid Warning for one semester. Students who do not meet SAP standards by the end of the warning term are disqualified from financial aid and may either submit a SAP Appeal or regain eligibility by meeting SAP standards in a future term. 

Students who continue to not meet SAP standards after disqualification will remain disqualified and must submit a SAP Appeal to be reconsidered for aid, unless they are placed on Financial Aid Probation following an approved appeal. 

Completed Units: A, B, C, D, P, CR
Attempted But Not Completed Units: I, IP, W, EW, F, FW, NC, NP

Earned and unearned F and NP grades are treated the same for SAP purposes. Unearned F grades may be appealed if the faculty-reported Last Date of Attendance (LDA) is incorrect. 

Maximum Timeframe

Students are not eligible for federal aid after attempting more than 150% of their program length: 

  • Associate degrees (AA/AS): 60 x 150%= 90 attempted units 
  • Certificate programs: Program length × 150% 

All evaluated units from all institutions count toward the maximum timeframe. Students must be able to complete their program within this limit. Students with 60 or more attempted units will be notified that they are nearing the maximum timeframe. 

Eligible Programs

Federal financial aid is available for students enrolled in: 

  • Certificate programs of more than 16 units
  • Associate degrees (AA or AS)
  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Two-year academic transfer programs applicable toward a baccalaureate degree.

Most financial aid (except the California College Promise Grant) is based on units that count toward your Course Program of Study (CPOS). 

Additional Policy Components 

  • Academic renewal is not recognized for financial aid 
  • Repeated coursework counts toward the maximum timeframe and is funded only if required for the program and within the repeat limit. 
  • ESL and remedial coursework (up to 30 units, C or better) are excluded from completion rate and Maximum Timeframe calculations. 
  • Financial aid does not cover courses outside the student’s declared program of study. 
  • Evaluated transfer credits not applied to the current program may be excluded from Maximum Timeframe during the appeal process. 
  • Students may submit unlimited appeals during enrollment, including after losing eligibility or re-entering after disenrollment for SAP. 
  • Students on financial aid probation may continue receiving aid if they meet appeal conditions; grades and education plans are reviewed each semester.
  • If a student’s appeal is denied, they may request a second review by the Financial Aid Director.

SAP Statuses

Students receive a SAP letter at the end of each term notifying them of their financial aid status: 

  • Good Standing: All SAP standards are met 
  • Warning: One-term grace period after not meeting SAP standards for the first time. 
  • Disqualification: Financial aid is suspended; a SAP appeal may be submitted to request reinstatement of eligibility. 
  • Probation: Appeal approved; students must: 
  • Earn C or better in all courses 
  • Enroll only in courses listed on their Comprehensive Student Education Plan (CSEP) 
  • Ineligible Major: Student’s declared major is not eligible for federal or state financial aid; student must update their Major and Degree Program to regain eligibility. 

SAP Appeals

Students may submit a SAP Appeal if extenuating circumstances prevented them from meeting SAP. Appeals must be submitted by the deadline through the Student Verification Website. Hard copies can be accepted, but staff can scan and submit documents electronically. 

Extenuating Circumstances May Include: 

  • Serious illness, injury, or medical condition (including mental/behavioral health) 
  • Death of a relative or significant person 
  • Personal circumstances (financial hardship, loss of housing, childcare, transportation, pregnancy/birth) 
  • Lack of required support services or accommodations 
  • Victim of crime or natural disaster 
  • Other circumstances beyond your control 

How to Submit a SAP Appeal

Step 1: Access the Appeal Form

Log in to the Student Verification Website using your myGateway credentials. 

Step 2: Complete the SAP Appeal Form

In your appeal, explain:

  • The circumstances that prevented you from meeting SAP 
  • What has changed  
  • The steps you will take to meet SAP moving forward 

Step 3: Upload Required Documentation

For GPA or Completion Rate Disqualification: 

  • Supporting documentation verifying extenuating circumstances 
  • Your Comprehensive Student Education Plan (CSEP) 

For Maximum Timeframe Disqualification:

  • Supporting documentation verifying extenuating circumstances 
  • Excessive Unit Petition Form (obtained from a Financial Aid Academic Counselor) 
  • Program acceptance letter (required for Health Science majors, if applicable) 
  • Your CSEP 

Step 4: Obtain Your CSEP

  • Meet with a Financial Aid Academic Counselor at (714) 484-7114 
  • EOPS+, DSPS, and Veteran students may use their program counselor 

Step 5: Change of Major (If Applicable)

If a major change is required, log in to myGateway and submit the Personal Information/Major Change Request Form through Admissions and Records. 

Step 6: Submit Your Appeal

Submit all required forms and documentation for review. Appeals are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and are not automatically approved.