Graduate Students

Maintaining Aid Eligibility

The Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy detailed below is effective August 1st, 2006.

Federal regulations require the Office of Financial Aid at the University of Denver to monitor the academic progress of all students receiving financial aid toward the completion of their degree. This process is called SAP. The SAP policy is enforced in conjunction with all other University policies and procedures, including the academic suspension policy. SAP is monitored on a yearly basis, 1 or 2 weeks after professors are required to have grades reported for Spring term. Certificate program students are an exception; their SAP will be monitored each term.

SAP is monitored using three factors:

• Cumulative grade point average (CGPA): According to the policy of the Registrar, the grade point average is determined by multiplying the credit points (for example, B+ = 3.3) by the number of credit hours for each course. Total the credit hours attempted, total the credit points, and divide the latter by the former. Grades of I, NR, W are not included in the grade point average. Incompletes that are not completed within one year are calculated as "F" in the GPA. All grades for repeated courses are included in determining the GPA. Undergraduate, graduate and specific program GPAs may be calculated separately. Official GPAs at the University of Denver are truncated at two decimal places, e.g., a mathematical result of 3.8766666 is reported as 3.87.
• Maximum Time Frame (MTF) limit: Students are required to complete all degree requirements within a percentage of the minimum credits required to graduate. For example, since the MTF for Law students is 150%, a Law student may attempt a maximum of 135 credits in order to complete a degree that requires 90 credits. Once a student has reached the MTF limit, or at the point we determine they will go over it once they complete their required courses, he or she is no longer eligible for federal or state financial aid.
• Cumulative Completion Rate (CCR): In order to graduate within the MTF limit, students must complete and pass a minimum of 80% of all courses attempted.

Students will be notified after SAP is determined if they do not meet the following criteria:

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

• Maintain a 2.00 CGPA (2.50 for Accounting majors)
• Maintain an 80% CCR
• Complete all degree requirements within a 125% MTF limit

GRADUATE STUDENTS

• Maintain a 3.00 CGPA (2.20 for Law students)
• Maintain an 80% CCR
• Complete all degree requirements within a 150% MTF limit

Successful completion of a course of study requires a grade of “Pass” or “D” or above (“C” for graduate students.) Grades of W, NC, NP, WF, F, Audit, or Incomplete do not constitute successful completion of a course. In the case of a class taken more than once, both grades will be counted toward CGPA and hours for both attempts will be counted toward MTF%. Remedial coursework is accepted if the credit hours earned apply toward the degree or certificate program. All accepted transfer credits are counted.

DROP/ADD PERIOD

The courses used to calculate the CCR as well as when the student has reached the MTF limit will be the courses the student was enrolled in at the end of Week 3.

PROBATION CONTRACT

Students failing to meet either the CGPA or CCR are automatically placed on probation for one term and will have a hold placed on their account until they have completed a probation contract with a Financial Aid Advisor. Once a student completes a contract, the hold will be lifted and the student will be able to receive aid for the probation term. Students must meet both the CGPA and CCR by the end of the probation term for financial aid eligibility to continue.

FINANCIAL AID SUSPENSION

Students who fail to meet either the CGPA or CCR by the end of the probation term will be placed on financial aid suspension. Students will remain suspended from financial aid until they meet the minimum CGPA and CCR requirements. Students will also be suspended from financial aid once they reach the MTF limit (student has attempted 125% or 150%, as applicable, of the minimum credits required to graduate.)

APPEAL PROCESS

Students who are placed on probation or suspension and have extenuating circumstances surrounding their failure to abide by the above criteria may appeal the decision up through the end of Fall term. For example, all three factors of SAP are monitored on a cumulative basis throughout the student’s entire enrollment at DU; students who change majors or degree programs may have a case to appeal a negative SAP status.

Students must submit the following documentation:

• A written statement from the student including his or her program of study, anticipated completion date, a list of required courses left to complete the program, and the reason for the appeal.

• If appropriate, third party documentation surrounding the reason for the appeal.

Students will be notified by mail of the result of their appeal within 1 to 2 weeks from submission of their documentation. All results are final.