All students at The University of Alabama who receive federal financial aid must make satisfactory academic progress (SAP) toward completion of their degrees within a reasonable period of time. The University’s standing committee on financial aid has approved the following standards defining satisfactory progress, in accordance with regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Education.
The following categories of students attending the University of Alabama are monitored under this policy:
- Undergraduate
- Graduate
- Law
There are both qualitative and quantitative components of SAP:
- Required overall GPA (including institutional and transfer)
- Required percentage of credit hours attempted to passed
- A maximum time frame for completion of degree requirements
Both the qualitative and quantitative requirements for SAP are evaluated at the end of each term (Fall, Spring, Summer).
Qualitative Component
In order to meet the qualitative requirement, the student must maintain the minimum GPA indicated below:
- Undergraduate (See table below)
- Graduate (Masters and above): 3.00
- Law: 2.33
| Credit Hours Earned (including institutional and transfer) | Required overall GPA |
|---|---|
| 0-30 | 1.5 |
| 31-60 | 1.7 |
| 61-90 | 1.9 |
| 91 or more | 2.0 |
Quantitative Components
Completion Percentage
In order to maintain measurable progress toward the completion of their degrees, students must successfully complete 67 percent of all credit hours attempted. (Hours attempted include repeated courses, dropped courses, withdrawals, and incomplete courses.)
Maximum Timeframe
The maximum timeframe for the completion of an undergraduate degree program is defined as no more than 150 percent of the normal timeframe required to complete the degree program. Coursework that transfers into a degree program will adjust the timeframe accordingly.
Note: The maximum time frame for the completion of a Graduate (Masters and above) or Law program is monitored by the UA Graduate School and UA School of Law respectively.
The qualitative and quantitative requirements of SAP are monitored at the end of each term (Fall, Spring, Summer).
Definition of Hours Attempted and Completed
Hours counted as attempted include:
- All UA courses for which the student receives any of the following grades: A, B, C, D (including plus/minus), P, F, I, NC, NA
- All UA courses marked as W, WP, WF, DO (indicating a course(s) dropped or total withdrawal for the term)
- All UA hours forgiven under Academic Bankruptcy or Academic Second Opportunity
Hours not counted as attempted include:
- All UA courses designated as Audit or NG
Hours successfully completed include:
- All UA courses for which the student receives a passing grade: A, B, C, D (including plus/minus), P
- All UA courses with passing grades accepted for Academic Second Opportunity
Hours unsuccessfully completed include:
- All UA courses for which the student receives any of the following grades: F, I, NC
- All UA courses marked as W, WP, WF, DO (indicating a course(s) dropped or total withdrawal for the term)
Maximum Time Frame: Definition of Hours Attempted
Hours counted as attempted include:
- All UA courses for which the student receives any of the following grades: A, B, C, D (including plus/minus), P, F, I, NC
- All UA courses marked as W, WP, WF, and DO (indicating a course(s) dropped or total withdrawal for the term)
- All UA hours forgiven under Academic Bankruptcy or Academic Second Opportunity
- All credits accepted for transfer from another institution
Treatment of Audits and Remedial Coursework
- Audited classes are not considered “financial aid eligible”; therefore they count neither as hours attempted or completed.
- The university allows students unconditionally admitted to a degree program at the University to take applicable remedial coursework. These hours are considered “financial aid eligible”; therefore they are counted as attempted hours and are either completed successfully or unsuccessfully.
- Any required remedial coursework is not considered “financial aid eligible” while a student is conditionally admitted to the University; therefore they count neither as hours attempted or completed.
Consortium Agreements
Consortium course work is considered to be UA work for SAP purposes and monitored accordingly.
Second Degrees and Double Majors
Students seeking second degrees and students with double majors are monitored like any other students under this policy.
SAP Monitoring Results
Both the qualitative and quantitative requirements of SAP are monitored at the end of each term (Fall, Spring, Summer). Students not meeting SAP requirements will fall into one of the following categories:
GPA and/or Completion Percentage – Financial Aid Warning: The first time a student does not meet the cumulative GPA and/or completion percentage requirement(s), they are placed on warning and notified accordingly. Students remain on warning until the next time SAP is reviewed. During the warning period students remain eligible for federal financial aid.
GPA and/or Completion Percentage – Financial Aid Suspension: If at any time other than the warning period a student does not meet the cumulative GPA and/or completion percentage requirement(s), they are ineligible for federal financial aid and they are notified accordingly. A student has the option to appeal their suspension.
Maximum Time Frame – Financial Aid Suspension – Undergraduate Students Only: When students reach or exceed 150% of the normal timeframe required to complete the degree program (includes both UA and transfer work), they are ineligible for federal financial aid and they are notified accordingly. A student has the option to appeal their suspension.
Appeal of Suspension – GPA and/or Completion Percentage or Maximum Time Frame: Additional information and requirements for the appeal process can be found on the Appeal Process page. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate any appeal for reinstatement of federal financial aid eligibility. Academic reinstatement by the University Registrar or Undergraduate Admissions does not constitute reinstatement of aid eligibility.