Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

It is the policy of the Financial Aid Office of Walsh to provide financial assistance to students who remain in good academic standing and making satisfactory academic progress (SAP) toward their degree while receiving financial aid. Walsh’s SAP policy applies to all students, those receiving federal and/or state financial aid as well as those who do not. Walsh evaluates each student's academic progress at the end of each term in which the student is enrolled (fall, winter, spring, and summer).

In order to maintain satisfactory academic progress for financial aid eligibility while attending Walsh, a student must meet both a Qualitative Factor and a Quantitative Factor described below.

Qualitative Factor

This is the cumulative grade point average a student must achieve in order to receive financial aid. A grade of A through D- is included in the cumulative GPA even if the grade is not an acceptable grade for the student’s program of study.

Quantitative Factor

This is the pace a student must progress through their program to ensure they will graduate within the maximum timeframe.

Undergraduate students

Must have a cumulative grade point average at Walsh of 2.000 or higher and must successfully complete 67% of their cumulative credits attempted. Undergraduate students must complete their degree within 150% of the length of the program. 127 credits are required for graduation.

Second degree undergraduate students

Must have a cumulative grade point average at Walsh of 2.000 or higher and must successfully complete 67% of their cumulative credits attempted. A degree audit will need to be performed by the Admissions Office to determine the credit hours required to complete the new degree. This will allow the Financial Aid Office to determine their maximum timeframe.

Graduate students

Must have a cumulative grade point average at Walsh of 3.000 or higher (MAC, MST and non-degree certificate programs students attending under a Walsh Catalog prior to 2017 - 2018 must achieve a cumulative grade point average at Walsh of 2.000 or higher). Graduate students must complete 50% of their coursework attempted and complete their degree requirements within 5 years or 20 semesters.

SAP Status Definitions

Acceptable Status

A student who is meeting both qualitative and quantitative requirements above. A student with an acceptable status is eligible to receive the financial aid for which they qualify.

Warning Status

A student who does not meet qualitative and/or quantitative requirements listed above will be placed on a warning status. Students are eligible to receive financial aid while on a warning status. Their progress will be reviewed at the end of the warning status semester and must meet the qualitative and quantitative factors above to continue receiving financial aid.

Unacceptable Status

A student who does not meet qualitative and/or quantitative requirements at the end of their warning status semester will be placed on an unacceptable status. While on an unacceptable status a student is not eligible for financial aid.

Maxed Status

An undergraduate student who has attempted more than 150% of their program, or graduate student who is unable to complete their degree requirements within 5 years is no longer eligible for financial aid.

Appealing the Loss of Financial Aid Eligibility

A student who has lost financial aid eligibility due to an unacceptable status may appeal their status. Appeals should be based on circumstance beyond the student’s control such as, injury or illness, death of a relative, or other special circumstances. Documentation may be required. A student who wishes to appeal must complete a Satisfactory Academic Appeal Request Form. Other forms of appeal will not be accepted. 

If the appeal is approved and the student can mathematically meet the minimum GPA and/or pace requirements will be placed on an Academic Plan by the Financial Aid Office and eligible for one additional semester of aid. Students who still fail to meet the minimum GPA and/or pace requirements will lose additional aid eligibility until they meet the quantitative and qualitative requirements. Students who cannot mathematically meet the qualitative and quantitative standards in one semester will either be placed on an Academic Plan by the Assistant Vice President, Academic Administration or will have their appeal denied.

Undergraduate students who have attempted more than 150% of their program and graduate students who are unable to complete their degree requirements within 5 years (20 semesters) are no longer eligible for financial aid. They can appeal to the Assistant Vice President, Academic Administration and if approved, will be placed on an academic plan. The student will remain eligible for financial aid as long as the student meets the terms of the academic plan. If the student fails to meet the terms of the academic plan the student will no longer be eligible for financial aid for the remainder of their program.

Regaining Financial Aid Eligibility

A student who has lost financial aid eligibility due to SAP or has been denied a SAP appeal will be reviewed at the end of their next semester of enrollment at Walsh. Their SAP status must be Acceptable to receive financial aid for which they qualify.

Transfer Credits

Transfer credits from another institutions at the time of the SAP review are included in both the attempted and completed credits. Transfer credits are also included in the 150% maximum timeframe. The cumulative grade point average is determined only with courses taken in residence at Walsh.

Attempted Coursework

Withdrawals, earned F-grades, F-grades due to non-attendance (see Attendance Policy for Financial Aid), incomplete and NR coursework, retroactive drops, repeated courses, coursework removed from transcript due to clean slate and non-credit remedial coursework count as attempted coursework, and may cause a student to be placed on SAP status which could jeopardize future financial aid eligibility. Students who have a grade change or incomplete grade change after SAP and been determined must notify the Financial Aid Office from their Walsh email to finaid@walshcollege.edu. Upon notification the student’s SAP will be recalculated to determine if the SAP status needs to be modified. The student will be notified of the outcome of the recalculation.

Change of Major

A student who decides to change majors, all classes already taken will count in the maximum timeframe.