To continue receiving financial aid, you must make satisfactory progress toward your degree.
This is evaluated through Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards and is required to maintain federal financial aid eligibility. Many private loan lenders also require students to meet SAP standards.
Mayville State University Policy
SAP Requirements
At the end of each semester, Mayville State University will assess if you are meeting all the following SAP requirements to determine your financial aid eligibility for the next semester:
- Maintain a Minimum Grade Point Average (GPA)
- Undergraduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 and attain at least a 2.00 GPA each semester based on all MSU and transfer undergraduate credits.
- Graduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 at the conclusion of each semester based on an MSU and transfer credits.
- Completion of Attempted Credits
- Attempted credits include any credits students are enrolled in as of each semester’s census date (the last day to drop a full semester course and receive a 100% refund) and any credits added after the census date. Credits dropped or withdrawn from after the census date, and failed credits are considered attempted but not completed.
- Successfully completed credits include those courses in which a student receives a passing grade (A, B, C, D, P, or S). Credit hours that are not considered successfully completed include all courses with a grade of F (Failed), I (Incomplete), W (Withdrawn or dropped), or U (Unsuccessful).
- The percentage is calculated by dividing the total number of successfully completed credits by the total number of credits attempted.
- Maximum Time Frame
- Students must successfully complete their degree within 150% of the published number of credits needed to complete their program of study. The maximum number of credits includes all prior credits attempted while attending MSU and any credits attempted at other colleges or universities whether federal financial aid was received while completing those credits. Students who are approaching the maximum attempted credit hour limit will receive a Financial Aid Information Service Indicator on Campus Connection to warn them that they are close to reaching this limit.
Not Meeting SAP Requirements?
If you do not meet SAP requirements, here’s what happens:
- Notification: You’ll Receive an email explaining why you’re not meeting SAP.
- SAP Hold on Your Account: A SAP hold (Negative Service Indicator) will be placed on your account, which may impact on your financial aid eligibility.
Extenuating Circumstances Appeal (SAP Appeal) extenuating circumstances beyond your control prevented you from meeting SAP, you may appeal a Financial Aid Disqualification by submitting a SAP Petition. Petitions will be denied if there is a lack of extenuating circumstances.
Steps to File a SAP Petition
There are two Sap appeal forms located on the eforms tile in Campus connection under Financial Aid. Each form provides direct instructions and requires attached documentation.
- SAP GPA Completion Rate Appeal- Used for GPA Appeals
- SAP Max Credits Appeal-Used for Appeal of Max Credits received
SAP FAQs
If I take a semester off, will my financial aid eligibility be restored?
No. If you have been placed on Financial Aid Disqualification, taking one or more semesters off does not reinstate your eligibility.
The only ways to regain eligibility are:
- Meet SAP requirements on your own by improving your grades and/or completion rate.
- Submit an approved SAP Petition and follow the plan of study to regain eligibility.
If I’m not meeting SAP but don’t use any federal financial aid, can I still get a private loan?
Maybe.
You can still apply for a private (bank) educational loan, but many lenders require students to meet SAP standards.
Compare lenders using Fast Choice to find the best option for you.
I have previous degree and good grades. Do I still need to submit a SAP petition?
Yes. Credits earned from a previous degree or another institution may count toward your maximum credit limit.
SAP calculations are based on your academic career level (i.e., undergraduate, graduate).
If I don’t use any financial aid, do I still need to submit a SAP Petition?
No. If you don't use federal financial aid or any other aid requiring SAP, this hold does not affect you financially.
You should still meet with your academic advisor to ensure you have a plan for success.
If you plan to use federal financial aid or other aid requiring SAP, you will need to submit a petition or meet SAP requirements on your own before becoming eligible.
May I just email the information to you?
No, the eform is required along with all documentation to process your SAP request.