Achieving Satisfactory Academic Progress

Presented By University Advising and Financial Aid

ASAP:

Achieving Satisfactory Academic Progress

At the end of this session you should be able to:

Understand how SAP affects financial aid eligibility

Learn how to calculate your GPA

Know the difference between SAP and UMASS Boston academic

standing

Make informed decisions

Determine if you may appeal your ineligibility for financial aid

based on extenuating circumstances

Federal Regulations

▸ Federal regulations requires colleges and universities to

monitor three standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress

(SAP):

▸ Grade Point Average (GPA)

▸ 2.0 or better GPA is required

▸ Pace (completion rate)

▸ Must complete 67% of attempted credits

▸ Time Frame (maximum credits attempted)

▸ 150% of degree credits required for degree; for example,150% of

a 120 credit program is 180 credits.

▸ Affects financial aid eligibility

▸ Students who are not meeting SAP standards are not

eligible for financial aid funds

▸ There is an appeal process for extenuating circumstances

How SAP Affects Financial Aid Eligibility

▸ Students who are not in good SAP standing are not eligible for

Federal, State or Institutional Aid. Examples of each type of aid

include (but are not limited to):

▸ Federal Aid

▸ Pell Grant

▸ SEOG (Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant)

▸ Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans

▸ Parent Plus Loans

▸ Federal Work Study

▸ State Aid

▸ Mass Grant

▸ Mass Cash Grant

▸ Need Based Tuition Credit

▸ Institutional Aid

▸ UMass Boston Grants

Some lenders for private/alternative education loans require

students to be in good SAP standing, check terms and conditions.

How is GPA calculated?UMB Grading System

Grades and TranscriptsRight click to open the hyperlink

Where do I find my GPA?

Degree Progress

Report

Transcript

How is GPA calculated?

Multiply the grade points for each course by the number of

credit hours each course is worth. The resulting value is

referred to as “Quality Points”

Add together earned quality points for all courses completed

in a semester

Divide the sum by the total number of completed semester

credit hours

Credit Hours Grade (Equivalent) Quality pts

3 x C- (1.7) = 5.1

3 x B- (2.7) = 8.1

3 x C- (1.7) = 5.1

3 x C- (1.7) = 5.1

TOTAL: 12 23.4

23.4 (Quality pts) ÷ 12 (credit hrs) = 1.95 semester GPA

UMASS Boston GPA Calculator

GPA Calculator

http://www.pcesp.umb.edu/gpa/gpa.php

Note: This calculator is for estimating purpose only

Academic Standing

Dean’s List/Honors

Good Standing

Alert

Warning

Probation

Extended Probation

Suspension

Dismissal

3.5+

Less than 2.0

2.0

Pace

Successfully completed credits ÷ Attempted credits

You must complete, with passing grades, 67%

(two-thirds) of the total number of credits you attempt.

This includes non-degree coursework, and courses you might

have taken at UMB many years ago

Grades of F, W, INC, or NA must be counted

as ‘attempts’

Transfer credits count as both attempted and earned

How Pace Works

Kim’s first year

FALL 2017 GRADE CREDITS

ENGL 101 B+ 3

MATH 115 W 3

PHIL 108 A 3

EEOS 120 B 3

EEOS 121 W 1

SPRING 2018 GRADE CREDITS

ECON 101 INC 3

ENGL 102 W 3

SPAN 101 NA 4

PHIL 110G W 4

Total Credits

Attempted

Total Credits

Completed

Completion Rate

27 9 9/27 = 33%

Time Frame

▸ Students may not attempt more than 150% of the program

length in order to receive financial aid

▸ For most undergraduate programs, this limit is 180

credits

▸ Double majors – If all requirements are met for one major,

they are ineligible for financial aid

▸ A copy of the Degree Audit is required for all time frame

appeals

▸ Please note that there are limits on federal loans and Pell

grants that may apply even if you are meeting SAP

standards and/or have an appeal approved

Loan and Pell Aggregates

There is a limit to the amount of federal loans and Pell grants

students receive.

▸ Undergraduate Dependent Students

▸ Subsidized – $23,000

▸ Total subsidized and unsubsidized - $31,000

▸ Undergraduate Independent Students

▸ Subsidized - $23,000

▸ Total subsidized and unsubsidized - $57,500

▸ Pell Grant

▸ 600% (6-years of full-time status)

▸ View your Federal loan and Pell Grant history at

www.studentaid.gov , login using your FSA/FAFSA

credentials

Academic Standing vs.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Academic Standing

▸ Institutional Policy

Based only on your GPA

Affects your academic status with the university

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

▸ Federal Policy

Based on GPA, Pace & Time Frame

Affects financial aid eligibility

Informed Decisions

-Grading/course options Grading Options

Pass/Fail

Course Withdrawal

University Withdrawal

Incompletes

Resources

options

-Resources

Pass-Fail Grading Option

Pass = P (not in GPA)

Fail = F (in GPA)

Things to consider:

1. Talk to your instructor

2. Some majors/minors don’t allow Pass-Fail: CHECK!

3. Declare Pass-Fail via WISER by deadline

4. Maximum of eight, one per semester

Pass-Fail Grading OptionRight click to open the hyperlink

“P” with Pass-Fail

With Letter Grade With Pass/Fail

ENGL 101: C

MATH 115: C

PHIL108: C

PSYCH100: D

Semester GPA: 1.75

ENGL101: C

MATH115: C

PHIL108: C

PSYCH100: P

Semester GPA: 2.0

Course Withdrawal Option

Withdrawal = “W” on transcript (not in GPA)

Student pays for the course

Things to consider:

1. Talk to your instructor

2. Talk to your advisor

3. Impacts financial aid – contact the financial aid office

before withdrawing from a course.

4. Declare “W” via WISER by deadline

Course Withdrawal OptionRight click to open the hyperlink

University WithdrawalRight click to open the hyperlink

Must submit undergraduate withdrawal form by last day of classes.

“F” vs. “W”

“F” with Pass/Fail With Withdrawal

ENGL 101: C

MATH115: C

PHIL108: F

PSYCH100: C

Semester GPA: 1.5

ENGL 101: C

MATH115: C

PHIL108: W

PSYCH100: C

Semester GPA: 2.0

Course Withdrawals vs. University Withdrawals

▸ Course Withdrawals

▸ Withdrawing from individual courses, while still

remaining enrolled

▸ Still have to pay for courses

▸ No financial aid adjustments to current semester

▸ Affects SAP – Pace/Time Frame

▸ University Withdrawal

▸ Full withdrawal from all of your classes

▸ Financial aid is prorated based on last date of

attendance

▸ Still charged for courses

▸ Could result in balance owed

▸ Affects SAP – Pace/Time Frame

NA Grades

NA grades indicate that the student never attended the

course.

Financial aid is prorated for every NA grade posted

For Example:

Credits Attempted: 10

Financial Aid Awarded on 10 credits

NA grade posted in a 4cr course

Financial Aid is adjusted to 6 credits

Student is still charged for 10 credits

COURSE CREDITS GRADE

English 101 3 (In Progress)

Spanish 101 3 (In Progress)

BIOL 111 4 NA

No Passing Grades

▸ Students who do not receive any passing grades for a

semester will have their financial aid prorated based on the

last date of an academic related activity.

▸ Treated as a semester withdrawal for financial aid

purposes

▸ May result in a balance owed

Incomplete

▸ Incomplete (“INC”) grades may be granted by the instructor. The

INC is granted only if the student has extenuating circumstances

that prevents them from completing coursework before the end of

the semester.

▸ The student and instructor must fill out an Incomplete Contract

before the INC grade can be granted. A copy of this contract must

be included with the SAP appeal.

▸ INC grades must be completed within one year.

▸ Instructors may impose a stricter deadline

▸ INC grades not changed to a letter grade within one year will be

graded as “IF”. This is considered a failing grade and will be factored

as an “F” in the GPA.

Incomplete Grade Policy

Repeat Policy

Maximum of four repeats allowed

Both the first and the second earned grades appear on transcripts

When student repeats a course, the first grade comes out of the

GPA, and the second grade replaces the first

Credit is only earned once

Each repeat counts as an attempt for SAP

Example: You failed English 101. This counts as 3 credits

attempted, 0 credit completed.You repeat and pass English 101

the next term. SAP calculates this as 6 credits attempted, 3

completed.

Students cannot retake a course out of sequence (cannot repeat

SPAN 101 after passing SPAN 102)

Financial aid restrictions may apply for previously passed courses

Course Repeat Policy

Right click to open the hyperlink

SAP Appeal Process

▸ Check your WISER to-do list to determine what you need

to submit for your appeal

▸ Attend Achieving Satisfactory Academic Progress

Workshop (ASAP)

▸ Write your personal statement that explains why you failed

to meet SAP standards, what has changed and/or the

steps you are taking to meet SAP standards by the end of

the semester.

▸ Submit documentation to support your appeal

▸ If you have an Academic Plan on your to-do list, meet with

your assigned academic advisor to complete an Academic

Plan

▸ Submit completed appeal to Financial Aid

Personal Statement

▸ You must submit a signed typewritten statement describing:

▸ The reasons/circumstances why you are not meeting

SAP standards. Be as specific as possible. Explain all

F’s, Withdrawals and Incompletes (provide a copy of

your incomplete contract).

▸ How your circumstances have changed that will allow

you to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.

Outline the specific steps you are taking to get back on

track.

▸ Attach documentation to support your appeal

Personal Statement

p INDICATE REASON/CIRCUMSTANCES EXAMPLES OF SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

Student’s own mental or physical illness, injury or disability

Letter from health care provider

Dates of hospital stays

Discharge paperwork

Death of a family member or significant person in your life (list your relationship to the deceased)

Death certificate

Obituary

Memorial/funeral service pamphlet

Divorce/Separation of Parents or Student

Divorce Decree

Separation paperwork

Letter from attorney

Any other official court documents

Family financial hardships Letter from employer

Serious illness or injury of a family member

Letter from family member’s health care

provider or social worker stating the need for

student to be a caregiver

Legal obligations/circumstances Copy of police reports

Copy of court documents

Victim of Assault or Domestic Violence

Copy of police reports

Copy of restraining order(s)

Letter from a Social Worker or other

professional familiar with the case

Other Personal Circumstances Provide supporting documentation

Examples of Extenuating Circumstances

Deadlines

SAP Deadlines

▸ Fall SAP Appeals: October 1st

▸ Spring SAP Appeals: April 1st

▸ Summer SAP Appeals July 1st

Important University Deadlines – Spring 2019

▸ Add/Drop: February 4th

▸ Pass/Fail, Withdrawal: April 19th

Academic Plan

▸ Only complete the academic plan if noted on your WISER

to-do list

▸ Download academic plan from financial aid website:

https://finaid.umb.edu/apply/forms.

▸ Schedule a 1 hour appointment with your advisor

▸ See first page of academic plan for advisor/success

center information)

▸ Please do not attempt to complete your plan during a

walk-in session

▸ The academic plan is a contract, you must adhere to the

plan. Please contact your advisor if you need to make any

changes.

▸ You will NOT receive financial aid if your appeal is not

approved. If approved, you must follow your academic plan

to continue receiving financial aid.

Where to complete your academic plan

College Affiliation Location

Students readmitted through the Standards &

Credits process (CLA, CSM, SFE, ECHD, CPCS)

Office of Undergraduate Studies

Campus Center, 1st floor, room 1300. 617-287-6360

Undeclared students, Colleges of Liberal Arts &

Science and Math

University Advising Center, Campus Center, 1st floor, room

1100, 617-287-5500

College of Liberal Arts declared students

CLA Advising Office, Wheatley Building, 2nd floor, Suite 4,

617-287-5721

http://umb.edu/claadvising

College of Science & Mathematics declared

students

CSM Success Center, Science Building, 2nd floor, room 60,

617-287-4846

https://www.umb.edu/academics/csm/student_success_center

College of Management students with fewer than

60 credits

University Advising Center, Campus Center, 1st floor, room

1100, 617-287-5500

College of Management students with more than 60

credits

CM Student Services, McCormack Building, 5th floor, room

610, 617-287-7625

College of Education and Human Development

Wheatley Building, 1st floor, room 51,

617-287-7625

College of Public and Community Services with

less than 60 credits

University Advising Center, Campus Center, 1st floor, room

1100, 617-287-5500

College of Public and Community Services with

more than 60 credits Wheatley Building, 4th floor, room 151, 617-287-7100

College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Science Building, 2nd floor, room 13,

617-287-7500

Student Support Services (SSS)Campus Center, 1st floor, room 1100,

617-287-5820

SAP Appeal Process

Check your Wiser student center for information regarding your

Financial Aid SAP Appeal Status

For follow up questions, contact:

Financial Aid Services

Kim Fragopoulos

Student Retention Specialist

kim.fragopoulos@umb.edu

Phone: 617.287.6341 Fax: 617-287-6323

Lena Quadros

Senior Associate Director

lena.quadros@umb.edu

Phone: 617-287-6383 Fax: 617-287-6323

Next Steps

Financial Aid Appeals committee will notify you of

their decision within 14 business days of receipt of

completed appeal

Appeals which are approved will be on a

probationary basis and will be reviewed after one

semester.

Students who are approved will be awarded based

on available funding.

If your appeal is DENIED, you will not be eligible to

receive Financial Aid until you meet the

requirements of Satisfactory Academic Progress

Have a back up plan for tuition payment in case

your appeal is denied. Consider setting up a

payment plan with the Bursar’s Office

SAP Status Page in WISER

SAP Status Page in WISER – Appeal

Approved

SAP Status Page in WISER – Appeal

Denied

Resources

▸ Academic Support Services - CC-1-1300

▸ Reading, Writing, Study Strategy Center, & Skills Workshops

▸ Healey Library, Quinn Administration Building

▸ Subject and Math tutoring

▸ University Advising Center – CC-1-1100

▸ Career Services - CC- 1- 1300

▸ Disability Services(Ross Center),CC-UL-240

▸ Counseling Center- Quinn- 2- 39

▸ Health Center- Quinn- 2- 40

▸ College Success Centers, check with your college

Questions?