Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Standards

Eligibility for Financial Aid

Lamar University will measure your academic progress annually after the spring semester. Failure to meet all three of the Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards (for all terms enrolled, not just those terms that aid was received) may result in loss of financial aid eligibility.

All three of the following Satisfactory Academic Progress standards must be met:

1. Qualitative Component - Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)
   Undergraduate students must maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA. Texas Grant and Be On Time recipients must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA. Graduate students must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA.


2. Quantitative Component - Pace (Minimum Completion Rate for Attempted Credit Hours)
   A student must earn credit for at least 75% of all semester credit hours attempted (total earned hours divided by total attempted hours). A student who is not progressing toward graduation at the defined Pace will not receive financial aid regardless of his/her GPA.
   
   • You do not earn hours for the following grades: U, Q, F, NG or I.
   • Transfer credit hours posted to the official transcript record and all courses removed through the Academic Fresh Start process will be counted as attempted credit hours, whether or not they are applicable to the student's current degree.


3. Quantitative Component - Degree Completion within 150% of the average length of the Program
   Undergraduate and graduate students must earn an undergraduate degree within 150% of the number of hours that are required to earn a degree.
   
   • A student pursuing a double major or degree must earn his/her first bachelor's or graduate degree within the 150 percent maximum time frame standard.
   • Transfer credit hours posted to the official transcript record and all courses removed through the Academic Fresh Start process will be counted as attempted credit hours, whether or not they are applicable to the student's current degree.

Financial Aid Suspension/Requirements to Regain Eligibility

A student who fails to maintain the quantitative and/or qualitative standards will lose his/her eligibility for student financial aid and will be placed on financial aid suspension. This suspension will continue until you complete at least 6 hours in your major with a 2.5 semester GPA or better for undergraduates and a 3.5 semester GPA for graduates (if more hours are taken, all credit hours must be completed with a passing grade) over a long semester at Lamar University, and all classes must be paid in full. Once these conditions are met, you need to notify our office in writing to have your eligibility reviewed.

Appeal Process

Students interested in appealing the suspension of their financial aid must first submit a FAFSA to the U.S. Department of Education and have the information sent to Lamar University. Once the FAFSA has been received the student can submit an appeal letter. A student wishing to appeal Financial Aid Suspension may submit an appeal letter for the following reasons:

• Injury or illness to the student
• Death of an immediate relative
• Other Special Circumstances (beyond the control of the student)

1. Name, Student ID, Semester Financial Aid Reinstatement Requested
2. Typed statement detailing the special circumstances that prevented you from meeting the required SAP standards including:
   • What specifically happened that prevented you from meeting the required SAP standard?
   • When did the occurrence happen (month and year)?
   • If the situation involves more than one semester, briefly explain why you continued to enroll without adjusting your course load/taking a break.
3. Attach documentation or evidence of your circumstances (e.g. letter from physician, counselor, therapist, academic advisor, hospital documentation, etc.)
4. Outline an action plan that you intend to take to improve your academic performance and how you plan to earn the credits/grades necessary to make SAP. Attach documentation (e.g. schedule of classes, tutoring/study plan, and/or work, change of major, letter from academic advisor/faculty members, etc.)

If the letter does not contain all 4 parts, aid will be denied and the student may not re-appeal.
DO NOT MISS CLASS WHILE WAITING ON A DECISION

Appeals that do not provide ample justification, are incomplete, or are illegible will be denied.

Appeals will be reviewed by a Specialist Sr. and/or the Director. The appeal may be forwarded to the financial aid appeal committee. The appeal committee meets on predetermined dates published on the financial aid website and students' whose appeals go before the committee may have their aid or processing delayed due to the meeting dates of the committee.

Letters must be received at least 5 business days before each meeting or the letter will be reviewed at the next scheduled meeting date. Students are responsible for making arrangements with the Cashier while waiting on a decision or their classes may be dropped. DO NOT miss class while waiting for a decision. Appeals can take up to 7-10 business days to review during peak times.

If your appeal is approved you will be notified through your LU email of any additional outstanding document requirement. Federal regulations allow the Financial Aid Office to require students to fulfill specific terms and conditions, such as taking a reduced course load or enrolling in specific courses. You will be required to agree and sign a Financial Aid Probation form before your aid can be processed any further. Under Financial Aid Probation you will be allowed to receive aid for ONE SEMESTER and your eligibility for future semesters will be reviewed after grades post.

If you are unable to appeal your suspension for one of the 3 reasons allowed by Federal Regulations, your aid will remain suspended until you complete the requirements to regain eligibility. If your appeal is denied, you will be notified by email, your academic progress listed under your eligibility will change to "D-All" in your Self Service Banner Account, and any aid already awarded will be cancelled. This suspension will continue until you complete at least 6 hours in your major with a 2.5 semester GPA or better for undergraduates and a 3.5 semester GPA for graduates (if more hours are taken, all credit hours must be completed with a passing grade) over a long semester at Lamar University, and all classes must be paid in full. Once these conditions are met, you need to notify our office in writing to have your eligibility reviewed.

ANY STUDENT WHO WITHDRAWS DURING THE FIRST 60% OF THE SEMESTER WILL OWE GRANT AND/OR LOAN FUNDS TO THE GOVERNMENT. THERE IS NO EXCEPTION TO THIS RULE AND YOU CANNOT APPEAL THIS DECISION TO LAMAR UNIVERSITY.