# Appendix G: Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy Checklist

**[Instructions: Using the following checklist, review the
institution\'s SAP policy for compliance with Title IV program
requirements.]{.smallcaps}**

Conformance with Accrediting Agency Standards

Does the school\'s nationally recognized accrediting agency have
standards of satisfactory progress?

If the school\'s policy conforms with its accrediting agency\'s
standards, does it meet all of the Title IV program requirements? [(34
CFR 668.16(e))](http://ifap.ed.gov/regcomps/doc4074_bodyoftext.htm)

[**[[Same as or Stricter than Standards for Non Title IV Aid
Recipients]{.underline}]{.smallcaps}**](http://ifap.ed.gov/regcomps/doc4074_bodyoftext.htm)

Are all elements of the school\'s policy for Title IV aid recipients the
same as or stricter than the general standards for students enrolled in
the same academic program(s) who are not receiving Title IV aid?

**[[A Qualitative Measure]{.underline}]{.smallcaps}**

Does the school\'s policy include the use of grades or other qualitative
factors which are measurable against a norm? The qualitative factors
are:

-   Does the school check that the student is making satisfactory
    academic progress each payment period (even if its increment for
    measuring quantitative progress is an academic year)?

-   Term and yearly credits required at each grade level \_\_\_ \_\_\_
    \_\_\_ \_\_\_

-   Grade point average required for the year(s) \_\_\_ \_\_\_ \_\_\_
    \_\_\_

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-   Does the school\'s policy include requirements that after the
    student\'s second academic year, student must have at least a \"C\"
    average or equivalent, or academic standing consistent with
    graduation requirements?

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-   Does the school\'s policy identify \"equivalent of a C average\" and
    \"academic standing consistent with graduation requirements\"?

**[[A Quantitative Measure]{.underline}]{.smallcaps}**

-   Does the school\'s policy set a maximum time frame for completion of
    the degree(s) and certificate(s) it offers?

-   The policy sets the following maximum time frame(s) for:

Full‑time, and either

Part‑time, or

Three‑quarter‑time, and

Half‑time, and

Less‑than‑half‑time.

-   Combination or enrollment status

Does the school\'s policy divide the maximum time frame into increments
(not to exceed one academic year)? Those increments are:

Does the school determine a student\'s quantitative progress at least
once during programs that are one academic year or less in length?

Does the school choose to include summer sessions in the length of the
increments into which the maximum time frames are divided?

-   Does the school\'s policy establish a minimum schedule of work that
    must be successfully completed at the end of each increment to
    complete the degree or certificate within the maximum time frame?
    That schedule is:

Does the school use its option to equate the maximum time frame to a
maximum number of hours that could be attempted? The maximum number of
hours attempted is:

If the school chooses to set a maximum number of attempted hours, does
it set a minimum percentage of hours attempted that must be successfully
completed at the end of each increment to complete the degree or
certificate within the maximum hours attempted? The minimum percentages
of hours are:

Does the schedule of work or minimum percentage of hours in the
school\'s policy specify that the work must be successfully completed
and what successful completion means?

Consistent Application

Does the school choose to establish specific standards in its policy for
different categories of students and for different programs?

Do the standards for each category or program meet all of the Title IV
program requirements?

Does the school choose to detail in its policy how its standards are
applied to transfer students?

Non-punitive Grades and Courses

Does the school\'s policy define the effect on satisfactory progress of
the following:

Course incompletes,

Withdrawals,

Course repetitions, and

-   Noncredit remedial courses?

-   Does the school\'s written policy address the treatment of all
    letter grades (I,W, WF, etc.)

probationary period

-   Does the school choose to include in its policy a blanket-type
    probationary period?

-   Does the school\'s policy detail the student\'s responsibilities
    during the probationary period (due to mitigating circumstances or a
    blanket‑type decision)?

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-   Is the student funded during the probationary period?

Appeal

Does the school\'s policy include specific procedures to be followed
after an adverse determination for the evaluation of a student\'s
mitigating circumstances when presented on appeal?

Does the school choose to specify in its policy the mitigating
circumstances that will be evaluated?

-   Does the school\'s policy include waiver procedures, if the student
    does not meet SAP requirements due to death of student\'s relative,
    student illness or injury, or other special circumstances which the
    financial aid administrator can document?

Reinstatement of Aid

Does the school\'s policy include specific procedures and minimum
requirements for reinstatement of aid after a student\'s aid has been
terminated for lack of satisfactory academic progress?

General

-   Does the school\'s policy include requirements for reviewing
    student\'s academic progress at the end of each academic year?

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-   Is the school\'s complete policy published in appropriate
    publications?

Does the school disseminate these publications to all enrolled students
and to prospective students upon request?

Are all of the school\'s standards consistent within its overall policy?

Does the school maintain records regarding whether each student who
receives Title IV aid is maintaining satisfactory academic progress
according to its published policy?