Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

The following describes Stanbridge University’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy.  The university’s SAP policy for Title IV, HEA students is the same as the university’s standards for students enrolled in the same educational programs who are not receiving Title IV aid.

Quantitative Requirement: Program Completion Time Limit and GPA

Students have a maximum of 1.5 times beyond the normal length of the program to complete their chosen course of study (or program).  Students not completing by the extended timeframe will be dismissed.  Students must meet the attendance requirements established for their program.

Attainment of satisfactory progress (attendance, credit earned and GPA) is monitored at the completion of each term for MSOT, MSN, BSN (Degree Completion), OTA, and PTA students.  At 50% of program completion, a minimum GPA and a minimum of 34% of total program credits must be earned.  Students failing to meet these benchmarks will be placed on probation.  At the 100% mark of the original program the student must have accumulated 67% of the required program quarter hours of credit, the student’s GPA must meet the required minimum, and the student must be able to attain the required graduation GPA by 150% of original program length.  Any student not able to meet the 150% benchmark will be dismissed.

*The MSN and MSOT programs require a minimum GPA of 3.0 to graduate.

Appeal of Determination of Unsatisfactory Progress (All Students)

A student may appeal for a reversal of a determination of unsatisfactory academic progress on the following grounds:

• incorrect recording of attendance or examination grades;
• incorrect assignment of grades for projects, assignments, or remediation work;
• failure to meet satisfactory progress requirements based upon
  • the death of a relative of the student;
  • an injury or illness of the student; or
  • other special circumstances.

Removal of probationary status is based on remediation of absences, reestablishment of satisfactory academic progress by passing or remediating a failed course, or adhering to the Code of Conduct or professional clinical objectives.

The appeal must be filed in writing by the student through the appeal process documented below.

Additional Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements: Veterans Administration

Veterans or eligible persons will be evaluated each term to determine satisfactory progress.  Students not meeting the 2.0 GPA passing requirement will be placed on probation.  Those not meeting the 2.0 GPA passing requirement in the next term will have their benefits terminated.

Financial Aid Warning

Stanbridge University evaluates SAP at the end of each payment period. Students who do not meet SAP measures described above will be put on Financial Aid Warning for one payment period.  Students who are put on a Financial Aid Warning continue to receive Title IV aid for the next payment periods after they receive the warning status. The status will be conferred automatically without the student appealing the SAP status.

If a student falls below a 2.0 GPA, or if the student is not completing the required amount of clock hours to keep Pace with the requirements for graduation within the 150% time frame, will result in the student being placed on Financial Aid Warning for one payment period.  A student who is put on a Financial Aid Warning can continue to receive Title IV, HEA funding for the next payment period after they receive the warning status.

If the student is not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress at the end of the Financial Aid Warning Period, the student will be placed on Academic Development Status, with a loss of Title IV, HEA funding and will be required to meet specific criteria of an improvement plan to assist them in regaining SAP and Title IV, HEA eligibility. During this period, students will not be eligible to receive Title IV, HEA funds but he/she may continue on a cash pay basis with an approved payment plan. Arrangements for payment must be approved within 10 school days of notification of development status.

If a student is making SAP at the end of the Financial Aid Warning, they shall be returned to normal SAP status with no loss of Title IV eligibility.

Appeal Process

Students who do not make SAP at the end of the Financial Aid Warning period lose their Title IV financial aid eligibility and will be placed on Academic Development Status, with a loss of Title IV, HEA funding. The student may have the opportunity to have their Title IV, HEA financial aid eligibility reinstated by appealing the Academic Development Status, with a loss of Title IV, HEA funding decision and will be placed on Financial Aid Probation if the appeal is granted.

To submit an appeal, students are required to email the Office of Instruction at appeal.instruction@stanbridge.edu. Any official documentation that supports the appeal should be included.

Appeal requests must be received by the end of the fifth (5) business day following the rendering of the decision and/or charges against the student. Appeals submitted after the fifth business day will not be accepted.

An Appeal Committee will evaluate the appeal petition and provide an appeal decision to the student, in accordance with the university’s appeals process, within fifteen (15) business days of receipt of the petition. Appeal decisions may take the following actions:

• Deny the appeal
• Grant the appeal
• Grant with appeal with new and/or modification to any sanctions

If a student is dissatisfied with the appeal decision, they may request the Office of the President review the full record and appeal documents by emailing appeal.president@stanbridge.edu within five (5) business days following the rendering of the decision by the Appeal Committee.

Financial Aid Probation

If Probation Status is granted, students regain Title IV, HEA eligibility for the next eligible payment period only. Students must be making SAP at the end of the payment period to regain Title IV, HEA funding for the next payment period.

Students who regain SAP at the next reporting period regain full eligibility for Title IV, HEA funding. Students not making SAP continue to be ineligible to receive Title IV funds without the option to appeal.

Reinstatement of TITLE IV and HEA Aid

Reinstatement of aid is limited to the period under evaluation. Students making SAP by the conclusion of the Warning or Probation period will be removed from the warning/probation status and will regain eligibility for Title IV, HEA funding.

A former student requesting to be reinstated as an active student should do so in writing. Supportive documentation and/or information concerning any mitigating circumstances should be noted in the request. The requesting prior student shall be notified of the Reinstatement Review within five (5) business days following the decision of the Financial Aid Academic Appeals Committee.