What is Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)? U.S. federal regulations for Financial Aid, Veteran Benefits, and the F-1 International Student Visa require anyone receiving these benefits to meet certain academic standards. At Madison College, these academic standards are referred to as Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
Does SAP Apply to Me?
SAP applies to students who are enrolled for the current term and are receiving one of the following from Madison College:
- Financial Aid
- Federal Veterans Educational Benefits
- F-1 Student Visa support
If you meet one or more of the criteria above, you will receive a notification of the status of your SAP at the end of each term.
How To Maintain SAP Standards
There are three SAP standards that must be met by every student. Read on to see how they are calculated and what is included in these requirements:
Once you have exceeded the 100% completion threshold for Maximum Attempted Credits, you will receive messages letting you know that you are approaching the 150% limit. Once the limit is exceeded, you will be suspended from Financial Aid and/or Veteran Benefits, and/or your F-1 visa status may be at risk. Refer to the Appeal sections below for steps to reinstate eligibility.
How To View Your SAP Status
- Visit the Message Center. The Financial Aid Office will send communications to the student about their SAP status, and it is in the message center.
- Check out your To-Do List. If you have the “suspended” status, you will be able to submit an appeal. This is typically only for students who are currently suspended.
SAP Status Glossary
At the end of each semester, your SAP Status is evaluated on the requirements listed above. You will have one of the following statuses:
Meets SAP – You are meeting all SAP requirements.
Warning – You have not met one or more SAP standard for one semester. You will be told which standard(s) you did not meet. It is suggested you develop a plan to return to good SAP standing with your academic advisor.
Not Meet – You have not met one or more SAP standards for a second consecutive semester. You will be told which SAP standard(s) you did not meet. There are significant consequences once on suspension (loss of aid/benefit eligibility or visa status termination).
How to Appeal Your SAP Status
There are different processes to appeal your SAP status for Federal Veterans Educational Benefits, International Students and for Financial Aid. Please keep in mind of deadlines for appealing your SAP status for each one.
Please refer to the directions on how to appeal for each one.
View Your SAP Status
Visit your account on myMadisonCollege to view your SAP status.