Evaluation

Probation

A student (Undergraduate and Graduate) who fails to meet either the GPA or  Completion Rate, or both, measurements for any semester will be allowed probation for one semester, [beginning with the 2008-2009 academic year] assuming he/she was in good standing prior to the semester being measured.  If at the end of the probationary period the student does not meet the SAP standards, their aid will be suspended.

Any student who has not met Cumulative Completion Rate SAP standards in the past resulting in hold(s) on his or her account that is 5 years old or more, will be placed on Probation. Students who have exceeded the 150% Time Limitation SAP Standard are no longer eligible for Financial Aid.

Suspension

Students who are not in compliance with the SAP standards (and do not qualify for Probation), or those previously placed on probation whose completion rate does not meet the published standards by the next review, will be suspended from eligibility for Federal Title IV Aid (grants, loans, work-study), state funded programs, and any other aid programs requiring students meet SAP standards.  Students may appeal their suspension (see section under Appeal Process).

If a student makes up his/her deficiencies during any semester(s) following suspension, it is their responsibility to contact the Financial Aid Office after grades are posted.  A review will be made to determine the students eligibility for aid.

Review and Notification Process

SAP reviews will be made at the end of Fall and Spring semesters after grades are posted. Information regarding eligibility will be posted on the "myTSU" site, Banner Services tab,
Financial Aid Section.

Transfer students will be evaluated prior to the first term attended at TSU to determine whether or not they are in compliance with the SAP Completion Rate and GPA requirement measurements.  Additionally, before receiving aid their attempted hours will be reviewed (as recorded by the Records Office).  Students who have over 150% of the maximum allowed hours (Time Limitation SAP Standards) are no longer eligible for Financial Aid.  Students who fail to meet measurements for Completion Rate and/or GPA SAP Requirements will be placed on probation.

Academic Fresh Start students will have their academic progress evaluated on work attempted after returning to the university as well as any previous credits that are applicable to their current program (as determined by the Records Office).

Students may not receive federal aid for more than 30 attempted hours of remedial/developmental coursework (this does not include ESL courses).

All distance education, telecommunication, television, web-based, and summer courses are calculated in total attempted hours.

Courses attempted during periods of time in which a student did not receive aid are still calculated in the SAP standards.

The following students will be notified in writing or via email*:

1. Students placed on probation will be sent a warning letter notifying them that they must be in compliance by the next SAP review or lose eligibility for financial aid.
2. Undergraduate students who have attempted 150 to 179 credit hours will be sent a warning notification reminding them of the 180 attempted hour limitation.
3. Graduate students who have attempted 45 to 59 credit hours will be sent a warning notification reminding them of the 60 hour limitation.
4. All graduate students who have attempted 60 or more credit hours will be sent a letter indicating suspension of financial aid.  It will be the students responsibility to notify the FAO if they meet the published standards (i.e. in a Specialist, Doctoral, second Masters program or taking Teacher Certification courses).
5. Students who do not meet the SAP standards will be notified of their aid eligibility being suspended and any federal or state aid awarded for periods of enrollment following the suspension notification will be canceled immediately.  Procedures for appealing the suspension will be included with the suspension notification, if applicable.

*All mail will be sent to the local or mailing address on file with the Records Office or via the email accounts. If a current local or mailing address is not on file, mail will be sent to the permanent address (as indicated by the Records Office) if notices are sent via standard postal mail. It is the student's responsibility to maintain accurate and up-to-date addresses with the Records Office. Failure to receive notification does not negate probation or suspension of aid or consequences for failure to meet deadlines for filing an appeal.

Appeal Process

 General Information

Students who fail to meet SAP standards for Cumulative Grade Point Average and/or Completion Rate, and are not on probation, will be allowed to appeal their suspensions. Students must have extenuating or mitigating circumstances (see Examples section) that have resulted in undue hardship on the student.  All appeals must have a legibly handwritten or typed letter explaining (in detail) what the circumstances were, how they affected the student in regard to not passing the required amount of classes and/or maintaining an appropriate GPA, and supporting documentation must be included with the request for appeal.  All information must be submitted to the FAO to be reviewed by the Satisfactory Academic Progress Committee.  The appeal will NOT be reviewed without supporting documentation. Decisions will be made within 2-3 weeks and a written notification will be sent to the student.  The decision by the SAP Committee is final.

Paying for courses out of pocket (including use of a private/alternative loan) or sitting out a semester does not qualify a student for reinstatement of aid eligibility. The student must come into compliance or have an appeal approved in order to receive aid if placed on suspension.

All Requests for Appeal must be submitted with this form:  Appeal Request Form

Deadlines

To be eligible to receive aid based on an approved appeal, requests (including letter and all necessary documentation) must be received by the Financial Aid Office based on the following schedule:

                                    Fall                  July 15

                                    Spring             December 15

                                    Summer          May 15

 Appeals received after the published deadline dates will be reviewed beginning 15 days after the start of the semester for which the student is appealing their suspension of aid.

Examples of Required Documentation for Appeals Based on Unforeseeable Circumstances:

Other extenuating circumstances and documentation may be considered by the SAP committee.