Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Requirements – Graduate Students

In addition to maintaining good standing within your college, your academic performance must meet two main SAP components:

  • Minimum Grade Point Average (GPA)/Qualitative Standard

As a graduate student, you must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 for the entire enrollment period.

  • Pace/Earned Credits (Quantitative) Standard  – The quantitative component requires you to complete your degree within a maximum timeframe.

As a Ph.D. candidate, you must complete your degree within seven calendar years of being admitted to your doctorate program (program restrictions apply). Your progress within this maximum timeframe will be reviewed annually at the end of each Spring semester. At this time, your cumulative credit completion ratio is determined to ensure that you have completed at least 67% of all credits attempted to maintain your financial aid eligibility. If you are unable to complete your degree within this timeframe, you may appeal for an exemption.

As a graduate student pursuing a Master’s degree, you are eligible to receive financial aid for a maximum timeframe of 5 years after the date you are first enrolled as a graduate student at the University. Your progress within this maximum timeframe will be reviewed annually at the end of each Spring semester. At this time, your cumulative credit completion ratio is determined to ensure that you have completed at least 67% of all credits attempted to maintain your financial aid eligibility. If you are unable to complete your degree within this timeframe, you may appeal for an exemption. A grade of I (Incomplete) or NW is not acceptable. Students who fail to complete attempted credit hours because of (I) Incomplete or NW grades, or who withdraw from all classes after receiving financial aid, will have their financial aid terminated.

Master’s and doctoral degree students who have completed all course requirements including thesis research shall be making satisfactory progress at least at the half-time rate if they are registered for at least one thesis credit and have written permission from the Dean of the Graduate School.