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Ohio State University logo Office of Student Financial Aid File the FAFSA first!
How to Keep Your Financial Aid Award

Frequently Asked Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Questions

  1. Why am I considered not making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) when I have no failing grades? I was advised to drop the class rather than receive a low grade.
  2. My percentage is so low, I will never bring it back up to the minimum percentage required under the policy. What can I do?
  3. I have reached my maximum time frame. What options do I have?
  4. I have transferred from another university. My transfer credits have caused me to reach my maximum time frame. Can I appeal this decision?
  5. How is my "percentage of hours successfully completed" determined?
  6. What if I have appealed my SAP status?

1) Why am I considered not making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) when I have no failing grades? I was advised to drop the class rather than receive a low grade.

Even though dropping a class may help your GPA, according to the SAP policy, hours dropped after the end of the university refund period count as hours attempted and not completed. If you withdraw from all classes at any point after the first day of classes, those hours will count as hours attempted and not completed.

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2) My percentage is so low, I will never bring it back up to the minimum percentage required under the policy. What can I do?

You may appeal your eligibility.  Meet with your academic advisor to create a plan to develop your academic success. In your appeal, provide specifics of your plan and include a letter from your advisor endorsing your plan. The SAP committee will then review your appeal and notify you of the decision.

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3) I have reached my maximum time frame. What options do I have?

You may appeal your eligibility. In your appeal, specify why you have exceeded your maximum time frame, and include a letter from your advisor stating the number of hours you still need to complete to graduate and your plan for completing those hours. The SAP committee will then review your appeal and notify you of the decision.

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4) I have transferred from another university. My transfer credits have caused me to reach my maximum time frame. Can I appeal this decision?

You may appeal your eligibility.  Meet with your academic advisor to create a plan to complete your degree, then include a letter from your advisor stating the number of hours your still need to complete to graduate. The SAP committee will then review your appeal and notify you of the decision.

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5) How is my percentage of hours successfully completed determined?

Your total number of hours completed is divided by your total number of hours attempted.  The percentage required varies depending on your class rank.

Example:

  Course
Credit
Final
Grade
Hours
Attempted
Hours
Completed
Cumulative
Percentage
Quarter 1 5 C 15 15 15/15 = 100%
4 C  
5 D  
1 S  
 
Quarter 2 3 E 12 05 20/27 = 74%
5 B  
4 W  
 
Quarter 3 2 B 12 12 32/39 = 82%
5 B  
5 C  
 
Quarter 4 5 B 13 08 40/52 = 77%
3 C  
5 E  
 
Quarter 5 5 E 14 00 40/66 = 61%
5 W  
4 E  
 
Quarter 6 5 B 15 10 50/81=62%
5 C  
5 W  

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6) What if I have appealed my SAP status?

Refer to the conditions of your appeal.

 

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