1. What is Satisfactory Academic Progress?

2. What are the requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress?

3. What is Financial Aid Probation?

4. Can I still receive federal aid while on Financial Aid Probation?

5. What is Financial Aid Suspension?

6. Is Financial Aid Suspension the same as Academic Suspension?

7. Why am I not making Satisfactory Academic Progress when I have no failing grades?

8. What financial aid is affected by Financial Aid Suspension?

9. How can I find out what my Satisfactory Academic Progress status is?

10. Can I appeal my Financial Aid Suspension?  If so, how?

11. What kind of supporting documentation is required for an appeal?

12. Do I have to be admitted or enrolled to appeal my Financial Aid Suspension?

13. Can I appeal my Financial Aid Suspension if I am on Academic Suspension?

14. If I successfully appeal my academic suspension to the college dean, does that mean my federal financial aid eligibility will be reinstated?

15. How will my appeal be handled?

16. How will I be notified of SFS’ decision regarding my appeal?

17. Can I submit additional information for my appeal after it has already been denied by SFS?

18. Can I appeal SFS’ decision?

19. Can I use next semester classes to remedy my Financial Aid Suspension?

20. I’m beginning a new level of study (i.e. going from undergraduate to graduate). Will my financial aid probation/suspension carryover to the new program?

21. How do incomplete grades affect Satisfactory Academic Progress?

22. How do study abroad or consortium classes affect Satisfactory Academic Progress?

23. Who should I contact if I have a question not addressed above?

What is Satisfactory Academic Progress?

Satisfactory academic progress (SAP) is defined as proceeding toward successful completion of degree requirements. The LHU Student Financial Services Office is required by federal regulation to determine whether a student is satisfactorily progressing toward degree completion.  Your official LHU academic record (i.e. transcript) as maintained by the LHU Registrar’s Office is reviewed to determine student compliance with the SAP policy.  This review is completed each year at the end of the spring semester.

What are the requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress?

General requirements are listed below.  To view specific requirements, click here.
Students must:

• Maintain the required cumulative grade point average;

• Earn at least the minimum amount of required new credit hours each academic year.  The credit hour requirement is based on enrollment status as well as the number of semesters attended;

• Not exceed the specified maximum number of attempted hours to complete their degree programs.

What is Financial Aid Probation?

Probation means that you are not currently meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements for financial aid.  Once you are placed on probation, you must complete the required number of new credit hours and achieve a 2.0 semester GPA. At the end of the probated semester, if you do not meet these requirements, you will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension.  If you meet the probationary semester requirements, your probation will be extended through the next semester.  Some students, such as those who’s cumulative GPAs are less than 1.0, do not qualify for Financial Aid Probation.  For more information, click here.

Can I still receive federal aid while on Financial Aid Probation?

Yes, if you are otherwise eligible, you may receive federal aid for the semester(s) you are on probation.

What is Financial Aid Suspension?

Financial Aid Suspension means that you have not met the requirements for satisfactory academic progress and are ineligible for federal financial aid until you can demonstrate to the Student Financial Services Office that you are meeting the requirements.

Is Financial Aid Suspension the same as Academic Suspension?

No. Academic suspension from the University is monitored by the Registrar’s Office. If you are uncertain whether or not you are on academic suspension, you should contact that office.  Financial aid suspension applies only to your federal financial aid.

Why am I not making Satisfactory Academic Progress when I have no failing grades?

Federal regulations require that the SAP review include all credit hours a student has attempted, including dropped, repeated, remedial, or withdrawn courses as reflected on your academic record. Although dropping a class may help your GPA, a “W” is still considered a course that was attempted, but not completed, for determination of Satisfactory Academic Progress.

What financial aid is affected by Financial Aid Suspension?

Students on financial aid suspension are ineligible for all federal aid, including the Pell Grant, SEOG Grant, ACG and SMART Grants, TEACH Grants, Federal Work Study, Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Parent and Graduate PLUS Loans.

How can I find out what my Satisfactory Academic Progress status is?

Student Financial Services will notify you by mail if you are placed on financial aid probation or suspension.

Can I appeal my Financial Aid Suspension?  If so, how?

Students who have extraordinary, personal circumstances have the right to appeal their financial aid suspension.  Acceptable circumstances are defined as:

• the death of an immediate relative

• a serious illness or accident requiring medical intervention

• significant, unexpected family obligations

• catastrophic loss (e.g. flood, fire, etc.)

• extreme personal crisis

Students who wish to appeal must do so in writing.  Letters of appeal should be submitted to Student Financial Services and must include:

• a signed, personal statement that completely and explicitly explains the basis of the appeal

• documentation from an objective, non-relative, adult professional that verifies the extraordinary personal circumstances on which the appeal is based

• an explanation as to how those circumstances affected the student's academic performance

• a description of the steps that have been or will be taken to prevent the problem from happening again

What kind of supporting documentation is required for an appeal?

You are required to submit authoritative documentation from an objective, non-relative, adult professional that supports the details of your appeal.  For example, if you withdrew from classes due to a medical condition, physician or hospital statements would be advised.  A death in the family might be documented with a copy of an obituary or death certificate.  Traffic accidents might be documented with specific police reports.  These are only examples; not an exhaustive list.

Do I have to be enrolled to appeal my Financial Aid Suspension?

No, you do not have to be currently enrolled to appeal your financial aid suspension.  However, you cannot appeal if you are on academic suspension.

Can I appeal my Financial Aid Suspension if I am on academic suspension?

No. If you are academically suspended, you cannot appeal your federal aid suspension. Once you have been academically readmitted by the dean of your college, you may submit an appeal of your federal aid suspension.

If I successfully appeal my academic suspension to the college dean, does that mean my federal financial aid eligibility will be reinstated?

No.  A successful appeal of academic suspension does not result in reinstatement of a student’s financial aid eligibility.  Appealing one’s financial aid suspension is a separate process.  Students should also note that a successful appeal of academic suspension does not guarantee that a student may register for classes.  Students who have past due account balances are placed on hold by the Student Financial Services (SFS) Office and are not permitted to register.  Any student who wishes to appeal his or her financial aid suspension or whose student account is on registration hold must contact Student Financial Services for assistance.

How will my appeal be handled?

Your appeal will be reviewed by a Student Financial Services staff member who will render a decision.  All decisions are final.

How will I be notified of SFS’ decision regarding my appeal?

Notification may come in the form of a financial aid award letter or via a letter to your home or LHUP email address.

Can I submit additional information for my appeal after it has been denied by SFS?

No.  To be considered, all supporting documentation must be submitted with the original appeal.  Once SFS has acted on your appeal, the decision is final.  If you do not submit supporting documentation, your appeal will be denied for lack of documentation.

Can I appeal SFS’ decision?

No, the decision is final.  Therefore, it is very important to include any documentation with your original appeal.

Can I use next semester classes to remedy my Financial Aid Suspension?

Yes, if you are otherwise eligible to enroll, you may enroll at your own expense to make up your credit or GPA deficiencies.  If you complete credit hours at another, accredited institution, they can only be considered for SAP review purposes after they have been added to your official LHU academic record as maintained by the Registrar’s Office.  Students who take classes to make up deficiencies should contact Student Financial Services upon completion of those courses to request a SAP review.

I’m beginning a new level of study (i.e. going from undergraduate to graduate).  Will my financial aid probation and/or suspension carryover to the new program?

No. If you begin a new level of study, you are in good standing as far as the satisfactory academic progress requirements for the new program are concerned.

How do incomplete grades affect Satisfactory Academic Progress?

Student Financial Services must wait until all your grades are complete and recorded by the Registrar’s Office in order to determine your SAP status.  You cannot receive federal aid for the following semester until all grades are complete and SFS has determined that you have made satisfactory academic progress.  It is important to complete your incomplete coursework as soon as possible.  You should contact Student Financial Services upon completion of all incomplete courses to request a SAP review.

How do study abroad or consortium classes affect Satisfactory Academic Progress?

If you complete a semester abroad or have a consortium agreement with LHU and another university, Student Financial Services must wait until your grades have been recorded by the Registrar’s Office in order to determine your SAP status.  You cannot receive federal aid for the following semester until SFS has reviewed your grades from the other institution and has determined that you have made satisfactory academic progress.  It is important to make sure your grades are recorded by LHU as soon as possible.  Once your grades are recorded, you should contact Student Financial Services to request a SAP review.

Who should I contact if I have a question not addressed above?

You may contact the Student Financial Services Office via e-mail at sfs@lhup.edu, phone at 570-484-2344, or in person at 123 Russell Hall.