Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Source: https://fas.ucsd.edu/resources/sap/index.html Parent: https://fas.ucsd.edu/
What is SAP?
For students to receive financial aid under the programs authorized by Title IV of the Higher Education Act, the U.S. Department of Education requires you to maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) towards completing your degree This is separate from campus academic minimum progress requirements.
When is SAP Reviewed?
SAP is reviewed annually for all students prior to the start of the Fall term. Students not meeting SAP standards, on SAP Probation, and/or now at Maximum Timeframe are reviewed on a quarterly basis. After spring grades post, preliminary SAP notices will be sent to students not meeting SAP standards. Those students may want to consider if summer courses could help them meet the SAP standards at the time of official SAP review prior to the start of the Fall quarter.
What are the SAP Components?
- Grade Point Average
- Minimum cumulative UC grade point average.
- Pace
- Cumulative number of courses successfully completed by the cumulative number of courses attempted.
- NR,NP, I, F, W, IP or missing grades are not successful completion of a course.
- Maximum Timeframe
- 150% of the published length of the program.
How does this impact students on Financial Aid?
SAP standards apply to all Title IV programs including Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG), Federal Work-Study, and Federal Direct Loans (Subsidized, Unsubsidized, Parent and Graduate PLUS Loans). SAP standards also apply to the Cal Grant programs, State and University need-based aid.
What are the SAP Requirements?
- Undergraduate\
- Undergraduate SAP Standards
- GPA
- 2.0
- Pace
- First Year : 1-44 Units: 30%
- Second Year : 45- 89 Units: 50%
- Third / Fourth Year : 90+ Units: 66%
- Readmitted Students : 50% for readmitted year only
- Maximum Timeframe
- 258 attempted units
- Graduate
- Graduate SAP Standards
- GPA
- 3.0
- PACE
- First Year : 50%
- Second Year : 66%
- Maximum Timeframe
- Varies based on program (see Graduate Standards)
*See Undergraduate and Graduate link for details, exceptions and conditions.
For School of Medicine please visit the Health Sciences Financial Aid Office website
How can I Appeal?
If you don't meet SAP standards you will lose your financial aid eligibility. If you had extenuating circumstances that prevented you from meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress, you may appeal.
The official end of year SAP review takes place after Summer Session grades post. At this point, students not meeting SAP will receive a notice of ineligible SAP status. SAP appeals are available in your MyTritonlink Financial Aid tool.
SAP Appeal Deadlines*
Fall 2025
11/29/2025
Winter 2026
03/07/2026
Spring 2026
05/29/2026
Summer Session 1 2026
07/25/2026
Summer Session 2 2026
08/29/2026
Special Summer Session 2026
08/29/2026
*Once you receive an ineligibility notification, please submit your SAP Appeal as soon as possible but no later than the deadline for the applicable term. Please note that the SAP Appeal may take time to complete, submit, and be reviewed by our office. Submitting an appeal does not guarantee approval. If you are pending SAP Appeal submission, review, and/or approval, you are responsible for all costs associated with your enrollment, including tuition and fees that must be paid by the fee payment deadline for the term. There is no guarantee that SAP Appeals submitted after the published deadline will be reviewed, approved and/or funded.
FAQ
Have questions? Use this resource to find answers to all your frequently asked questions.
Resources
- Federal Updates
- Helpful Tools
- Satisfactory Academic Progress
- Summer Session
- Withdrawing