Standards of Academic Progress Policy

This Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy explains the procedures when administering the Financial Aid Programs for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The Financial Aid Department must adhere to these policies and procedures, and provide information concerning Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress that financial aid recipients must maintain to continue receiving financial aid.

Standards of Satisfactory Progress for Financial Aid Eligibility

What are the Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)?

The Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) describes the academic standards a student must meet in order to remain eligible for federal aid and ensure they are progressing toward degree completion as required by federal regulations. If a student is not meeting these requirements, they may not eligible for federal aid.

How is SAP measured?

The following measurements will be reviewed to determine good standing for continued financial aid eligibility:

• Qualitative: College level grade point (cumulative GPA)
• Quantitative (Pace): College credits completed and time frame needed to complete the degree

What are the standard requirements?

Qualitative:

• Undergraduate students: Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0
• Graduate students: Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0

Quantitative/Pace:

• College credit hours completed: Required to complete 67% of total credit hours attempted.
• How to calculate Pace: Cumulative number of credit hours that student successfully completed divided by the cumulative number of credits hours that student attempted.

Application of Grades and Credit Hours

Credit hours attempted are all course credit hours for which you are enrolled as of the end of add/drop period per semester/term.

For calculating credit hours, grades of "F" (failure), "I" (incomplete), "IP" (in progress), "W" (withdrawn), "WP" (withdrawn passing), "WF" (withdrawn failing), "U" (unsatisfactory), "AU" (audited), "FX" (ceased attendance) and repeated courses are counted as hours attempted but not as credit hours completed.

For example, a sophomore who has attempted 60 credit hours and has satisfactorily completed 48 of those credit hours would have completed 80% of attempted credit hours.

• Time frame needed to complete the degree: You are not allowed to attempt more than 1.5 times, or 150%, of the number of hours in your degree program of study.

A sample of the maximum allowable attempted hours is noted below:

No. of Credit Hours in Degree Program		150% of Degree Program		Maximum Allowable Attempted Credit Hours
120	x	1.5 (150%)	=	180 hours
129	x	1.5 (150%)	=	194 hours

* These maximum credit hours may vary depending on your specific program.

Repeat Courses

For courses repeated during your program of study, both the original and repeated credit hour will be counted as attempted hours in rate of progress calculations.

Dual Degree Programs/Change of Degree Program

For students seeking two programs of study at the same time (i.e., major and minor, two undergraduate degrees, two master’s degrees) or for those who change their degree program of study, your chosen primary program of study is evaluated based on the number of credit hours that count toward the primary program of study. All courses applicable to chosen program of study are counted in Time Frame, Attempted Hours and Completed Hours.

Transfer Credit Hours/Dual Enrollment Credit Hours

Transfer credit hours/Dual Enrollment credit hours that are accepted toward your chosen program of study are calculated in the Time Frame needed to complete your degree. You are not allowed to attempt more than 1.5 times, or 150%, of the number of hours in your degree program of study. These maximum credit hours may vary depending on your specific program.

Embry-Riddle Dual Enrollment Credit Hours

Dual Enrollment credit hours earned through participation in Embry-Riddle dual enrollment programs that are applicable to your chosen degree program but taken before admitted into your degree program will count towards the Time Frame. If you are or were an Embry-Riddle Dual Enrollment student and have questions about the effect of non-successful dual enrollment credit hours for the Satisfactory of Academic Progress for Financial Aid, please contact the Financial Aid Office at your campus.

Withdrawing From Courses

Withdrawing from courses may impact your financial aid awards. Before withdrawing from class, you should contact the Financial Aid Office to determine the consequences.

Withdrawing From the University or Dropping All Courses in a Term

Students who totally withdraw or drop all courses in a term and receive aid may owe the university money. Before withdrawing from the university, you should contact the Financial Aid Office to determine the consequences.

Auditing Courses

Audited courses are not eligible for financial aid. Students who enrolled in courses applicable to their degree and received federal aid and then change all enrolled courses to audited courses will be considered to have withdrawn on the date the final course was changed to an audited course and may owe the university money.

When are these standards reviewed?

The standards are reviewed once each academic year at the end of the spring semester. Email notifications will be sent to your ERAU email account if you fail to meet the SAP standards.

What happens if I’m not meeting the standards?

Students who fail to meet satisfactory academic progress are placed on Financial Aid Suspension. You will not receive federal or institutional aid during this suspension.

Can I appeal my suspension?

You have the option to appeal the suspension. An appeal must be based on extenuating circumstances that seriously affected academic performance, such as student/parent injury or illness, death of a relative or other special circumstances.

The Appeal Process

The appeal form and instructions may be found on your campus website. You will be required to submit supporting documentation. You will also need to explain what type of circumstances contributed to the academic problem and what plans you have to eliminate those problems in the future. We realize that sharing personal information can be difficult. Be assured that your statement will remain confidential. An academic plan approved by an academic advisor may be required. Contact the Financial Aid Office if you have questions or need assistance to begin processing an appeal.

Appeal Forms can be found on your campus website:

• Daytona Beach Campus
• Prescott Campus
• Worldwide Campus

Financial Aid Probation

For students who are successful in their appeal, aid will be reinstated; however, students will be placed on probation for one payment period/term. At the conclusion of the probation term, you must be meeting the school’s SAP standard in order to qualify for further Federal Title IV Funding. If you are academically suspended, dismissed or not permitted to continue your enrollment, you will not be eligible to receive financial aid.

Reinstatement

You may re-establish your eligibility for financial assistance by achieving the satisfactory academic progress standards. Keep in mind that this will be at your own expense, as you are ineligible for aid. Once you have earned the required grade point average or completed the required credit hours, you must contact your Financial Aid Counselor at your campus to request the reinstatement of your financial aid eligibility.

Do these standards apply to every Financial Aid Program?

These standards are related directly to the federal Financial Aid Programs. However, state, institutional and private sources of aid have other standards that must be considered. Refer to your state websites to review the specific criteria for each program. Contact the Financial Aid staff to determine the specific requirements of each type of aid that you receive.

Please note: For Worldwide programs, the academic year ends with the last term of a track (see Financial Aid Tracks for terms associated with Tracks). The April and May Terms are optional terms and are not calculated until the following academic year. If you are failing the Standards of Academic Progress and have questions, please contact a Worldwide Financial Aid Counselor toll-free at 866-567-7202.

Always contact the Financial Aid Office before dropping, withdrawing, auditing or deciding not to participate/attend a course to confirm how it will affect your financial aid. There are many resources to help you if any difficulties arise, such as tutoring labs, the Counseling Center, your Academic Advisor, as well as Financial Aid Counselors. We are here to help make your educational experience at ERAU successful. Contact us if you need help!