Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

SAP Standards

Satisfactory Academic Progress is evaluated at the end of each semester for all financial aid recipients. Students must meet the following three components:

1. Qualitative Measure (GPA)

Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) based on their classification:

• Freshman (0-29 credit hours): 1.50 cumulative GPA
• Sophomore (30-59 credit hours): 1.75 cumulative GPA
• Junior (60-89 credit hours): 2.00 cumulative GPA
• Senior (90+ credit hours): 2.00 cumulative GPA

2. Quantitative Measure (Pace of Completion)

Students must successfully complete at least 67% of all cumulative credit hours attempted. Withdrawn, incomplete, failed, and repeated courses count as attempted but not completed.

3. Maximum Time Frame

Students must complete their degree within 150% of the published length of the program. For a 120-credit-hour program, the maximum time frame is 180 attempted credit hours.

SAP Status Levels

• Good Standing: Student meets all SAP requirements.
• Financial Aid Warning: Student failed to meet SAP for the first time. Aid continues for one semester.
• Financial Aid Suspension: Student failed to meet SAP after the warning period. Aid is suspended until standards are met or an appeal is approved.
• Financial Aid Probation: Student on suspension whose appeal has been approved. Aid continues for one semester under an academic plan.

Appeal Process

Students who have lost financial aid eligibility may submit a SAP Appeal to the Office of Financial Aid. Appeals must include:

• A written statement explaining the extenuating circumstances that affected academic performance
• Documentation supporting the circumstances (e.g., medical records, death certificate)
• An academic plan developed with your academic advisor outlining how you will meet SAP requirements

Appeal forms are available on the Financial Aid Forms page. Completed appeals should be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid for review.

Contact

Office of Student Financial Aid
Phone: (501) 420-1226
Email: financialaid@arkansasbaptist.edu
SAP Appeals: sapappeals@arkansasbaptist.edu