Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

 

 

Q:  I withdrew from a class.  Will it count against me?

 

A:   Yes, it will affect the earned credits calculation and maximum time requirement.

 

 

 

Q:  If I don't meet SAP, can I still get a StaffordLoan?  Can my parents get a PLUS loan?

 

A:   No, but you may qualify for some alternative loans that do not require SAP.  You can explore some of these options at :

 

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

 

 

 

Q:  I appealed my suspension and was granted permission to return to JMU, does this mean I qualify for financial aid?

 

A:   No, admission to the university does not guarantee financial aid eligibility.  The financial aid office will notify you if you fail SAP.  A separate appeal is required.

 

 

 

Q:  If I resolve my academic deficiency, can I receive financial aid?

 

A:   Yes, but you must submit an appeal form requesting a reevaluation of your SAP status.  Remember that your JMU transcript must reflect this change.

 

 

 

Q:  Can I get financial aid for summer if I am not meeting SAP?

 

A:   No, you would need to submit an appeal for consideration.

 

 

 

Q:  If I qualify for the transfer equivalent policy, will I automatically be eligible for financial aid?

 

A:   No, all attempted hours count in the SAP evaluation, including those excluded under the transfer equivalent option. Therefore, you will not automatically meet SAP requirements based on this policy. However, if you believe you meet SAP requirements at any time, you may submit an appeal form to the financial aid office and request a reevaluation of your transcript.

 

 

 

Q:  You say I haven't earned 80 percent of my attempted hours, but according to my transcript, I meet this requirement.  What's going on here?

 

A:   Our SAP policy requires that we include all attempted hours.  In addition to the hours you attempted at JMU, we add:

 

Transferred hours

Withdrawals

Repeat/forgiveness hours

Incompletes

Credit/no credit hours

 

Divide the number of credit hours you earned by your total attempted hours.  If the answer is 80 percent or more, you meet the earned credits requirement.

 

 

 

Q:  If I decide not to appeal my unsatisfactory progress or my SAP appeal is denied, how can I pay my bill?

 

A:   Some lenders offer alternative loans that do not require you to meet SAP requirements.  However, you may need a creditworthy cosigner to qualify.  You can explore some of these options at:

 

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

 

 

 

Q:  During my senior year in high school, I took a couple of classes at a local college.  How do these hours affect my SAP status?

 

A:   Ideally, these dual enrollment hours should count in your favor.  However, our automated SAP process cannot distinguish between dual enrollment and regular transfer hours.  You should inform the financial aid office if you believe your dual enrollment hours counted against you in error.

 

 

 

Q:  I earned some Advanced Placement credits from high school.  How do these hours affect my SAP?

 

A:     Like dual enrollment hours, your Advanced Placement (AP) credits should count in your favor.  However, our automated SAP process cannot distinguish between AP and regular transfer hours.  You should inform the financial aid office if you believe your AP hours counted against you in error.

 

Q:    What is the deadline for submitting a SAP appeal form?

 

A:     While we do not publish a deadline, we encourage you to submit your appeal as early as possible. An early appeal will receive an early response.