SAP
Satisfactory Academic Progress
- SAP Standards: Norfolk State University is required by federal regulations to adhere to minimum standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) that relate to a student’s eligibility for federally funded financial aid programs, state and institutional grants, scholarships, employment and loan programs.
- SAP Eligibility: Students must meet minimum satisfactory academic progress standards in order to initially receive and to maintain eligibility for Title IV funds. The satisfactory academic progress standards apply to all students in degree-seeking programs of study who wish to be considered for financial assistance.
- SAP Measurements Quantitative: Students must complete at least 67% of all courses attempted (i.e., 11 credit hours out of 15 credit hours attempted must be passed). Courses that are not considered as "completed" but still count in this measurement are failed (F) courses, incomplete courses (I), dropped courses, and withdrawn courses (W). Students who exceeds 150% of attempted credit hours required to complete the program of study are ineligible for financial aid.
- SAP Measurements Qualitative: Students must attain at least the minimum cumulative grade point average required for the number of credits earned for the academic classification level and must make satisfactory progress towards degree completion by advancing to the next academic classification level. Failure to maintain or meet the minimum cumulative grade point average will result in the cancellation or denial of financial assistance.
It is the student's responsibility to notify the Financial Aid Office of grade changes that will affect the cumulative grade point average. The SAP process is ran by the Financial Aid staff at the end of each semester.
The minimum grade point average for each classification is indicated below:
| Class |
Credits |
GPA |
| Freshman |
Less than 30 credit hours |
1.7or higher |
| Sophomore |
30 - 59 credits |
1.8 or higher |
| Junior |
60-89 credits |
2.0 or higher |
| Senior |
90 or more credits |
2.0 or higher |
| Graduate |
N/A |
3.0 or higher |
New Entering Freshmen and transfer students
A student enrolling for the first time is considered to be making satisfactory academic progress regardless of prior post-secondary credit hours.
Regaining Eligibility
Students not making satisfactory academic progress are notified via mail and/or their NSU email address. Students may submit a SAP Appeal Application documenting any extenuating circumstance(s) that occurred during the timeframe in which he/she were enrolled. Extenuating circumstances may include, but is not limited to, the following: Death in immediate family, illness/hospitalization for an extended period of time, deployment, disabilities and other medical issues, etc. Students are required to submit the following information:
- SAP Appeal Application (signed) and supporting documentation
- SAP Academic Plan signed by the student and academic advisor
- Undergraduate Advisor’s Transcript
All SAP appeals and required documentation must be sent to the SAP Appeal Committee Chair – NSU Financial Aid Office.
It is the student’s responsibility to notify the Financial Aid Office of grade changes.