Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Graduate Students Receiving Financial Aid
All graduate students must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements to receive financial aid at James Madison University. Federal regulations require each institution to have a SAP policy, which establishes the minimum standards that must be applied consistently to all students. You will be denied financial aid if you fail to meet SAP requirements. If extenuating circumstances led to your noncompliance, you may submit an appeal to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships for consideration.
Explanation of Qualitative and Quantitative Components
SAP includes both qualitative and quantitative components. Qualitative refers to grade point average. Quantitative includes both earned credits and maximum time. See below for a detailed description.
Grade Point Average: A student cannot graduate with a GPA below 3.0. You will be dismissed from the degree program or provisional status will be revoked if you receive an "F" or "U" in any graduate course or a total of three "C" grades in your graduate program. In addition, you will receive a notice of academic warning upon receiving a grade of "C" in any two graduate courses or if your GPA falls below 3.0. (Monitored by: The Graduate School)
Earned Credits: You must earn at least 80% of your attempted hours. This calculation is performed by dividing the number of credit hours earned by the number of credit hours attempted. (Monitored by: Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships)
Maximum Time: You must complete all requirements of the graduate program and The Graduate School within six calendar years (masters and education specialist degrees) or eight years (doctoral degrees). All students enrolled in graduate degree programs must enroll each regular semester for a minimum of one graduate credit hour. (Monitored by: The Graduate School)
Explanation of Attempted Hours for Earned Credits Calculation
In compliance with federal regulations, financial aid developed procedures for evaluating earned credits. In addition to the hours you completed for a letter grade, we will count the following types of credit.
- Credit by examination (CR)
- Transfer credit
- In Progress (IP)
- Incomplete (I))
- Withdrawal (W)
- Withdrawal while passing (WP)
- Withdrawal while failing (WF)
- Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U)
- Not Processed (NP)
- Repeat