Financial Aid

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Keep Your Grades, Keep Your Classes, Keep Your Money

Drop Your Grades, Drop Your Classes, Lose Your Money

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. 

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 (for example, 11 credit hours out of 15 credit hours attempted must be passed); and 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"completed", but still count in this measurement are failed (F) courses, incomplete courses (I), dropped courses, and withdrawn courses (W).

Also, students must not exceed 150% of attempted credit hours required to complete the program of study.

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 an advanced cumulative grade point average that meets the minimum satisfactory academic progress requirement within the allotted time frame for awarding aid for the upcoming term. SAP is reviewed on an annual basis. A student may regain eligibility by attending summer school; however, payment would be the student's responsibility. The minimum grade point average for each classification is indicated below:

The minimum grade point average for each classification is indicated below:

Academic Classification Level	Total Credit Hours Earned	Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)
Freshman	Less than 30 credit hours	1.7 or higher
Sophomore	30-59 credit hours	1.8 or higher
Junior	60-89 credit hours	2.0 or higher
Senior	90 or more credit hours	2.0 or higher
Graduate	xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx	3.0 or higher

 

---

Termination of Aid

Aid will be terminated for any student who does not maintain the minimum quantitative or qualitative measurements. Students not meeting the qualitative and quantitative measurements are encouraged to utilize the Academy of Collegiate Excellence and Student Success (ACCESS) Program, which offers tutorial and other services to assist in improving a student’s academic standing.

---

First-Time Enrollment

A student enrolling for the first time is considered to be making satisfactory academic progress regardless of prior postsecondary credit hours.

---

Regaining Eligibility

In order to regain financial aid eligibility, students must enroll in classes at their own expense to advance cumulative grade point average to the minimum satisfactory academic standard. After successfully obtaining the minimum satisfactory academic standards according to the classification level, students may be reinstated or considered for financial assistance for the upcoming terms. Aid offered after reinstatement will be awarded for upcoming academic term according to availability of funds at the time of the award offer.

It is the student’s responsibility to notify the Financial Aid Office of advanced cumulative grade point average that meets the minimum satisfactory academic progress requirement within the allotted time frame for awarding aid for the upcoming term.