Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Process for Undergraduate Students

 

All undergraduate students who file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are subject to the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy.  Upon receipt of the results of your FAFSA, the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will evaluate your SAP status before awarding you financial assistance.  We evaluate your progress every year you apply for financial aid.  If you were unable to meet the grade point average, earned credit, or maximum time requirements during your previous enrollment, we will send you a letter describing your area(s) of deficiency.   Students who do not meet SAP standards cannot receive financial aid.  However, if extenuating circumstances contributed to your inability to meet SAP requirements, you may request reconsideration by submitting the Appeal Form, with appropriate supporting documentation.

Without mitigating circumstances, students may regain eligibility for financial aid by resolving their academic deficiency. If you believe this describes your situation, use the Appeal Form to notify us of the possible change in your status. We will reevaluate your transcript to confirm your compliance with SAP requirements. Remember that your JMU transcript must reflect this change.

 

Extenuating or Mitigating Circumstances

If extenuating circumstances contributed to your inability to meet SAP requirements and you need financial assistance to attend school, you should submit an appeal.  Mitigating or extenuating circumstances may include:

• Illness
• Death in the family
• Family problems (e.g., parents' separation or divorce)

 

This is not a comprehensive list.  Any documentable event(s), outside your control, that prevented you from meeting SAP standards may qualify.

 

Appeal Form

The Appeal Form gives you the opportunity to tell us about the event(s) that contributed to your unsatisfactory progress.

 

In your appeal form, you should:

• Describe the extenuating circumstance(s) that led to your noncompliance.
• Explain your plan of action to ensure your future academic success.
• Describe the timeframe of your extenuating circumstance(s) for the period that you failed SAP.

 

We realize that sharing personal information can be difficult.  Be assured that your statement will remain confidential.  Only financial aid personnel will review your appeal.

 

Supporting Documentation

To confirm your extenuating circumstance(s), you must attach documentation from an objective third party (e.g., physician, counselor, lawyer, social worker, teacher, religious leader, academic adviser, JMU Office of Disability Services, and JMU Health Center).

 

Your third party documentation must:

• Be submitted on official stationary or by e-mail from a valid JMU e-mail account.
• Verify that the extenuating circumstance(s) will no longer influence your future academic performance.
• Confirm the timeframe referenced in your appeal.

 

If you have exceeded 150 attempted hours, you must attach a statement from your academic adviser that outlines all remaining courses required for your program and your expected graduation date.

 

After reviewing your appeal form and supporting information, we may request additional documentation for clarification purposes.

 

Appeal Decision

We will review your appeal within 30 days of receipt and notify you in writing of its status.  You will receive either our decision to grant your appeal, deny your appeal, or a request for additional documentation.  If we grant your appeal and you have submitted all required financial aid materials, you will receive an award notice.  If we deny your appeal, you may choose to apply for an alternative loan.    However, you may need a creditworthy cosigner to qualify. Review loan options at: 

 

http://www.jmu.edu/finaid/altloans.shtml