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Satisfactory Academic Progress

ABOUT SAP

As mandated by the Higher Education Act, institutions of higher education must establish minimum standards of “Satisfactory Academic Progress”. Wingate University makes these standards applicable to all federal, state of North Carolina and institutional financial aid programs.

Programs administered by outside agencies, or states other than North Carolina, may have their own academic standards for students.  Check the requirements with the agent granting your funding.

In order to maintain your eligibility for financial aid, we track your satisfactory academic progress (SAP) during your enrollment at Wingate University. Your progress is evaluated at the end of each semester and is based on credit hours earned, credit hours attempted and cumulative GPA.

STUDENT ATHLETES

Eligibility requirements for student athletes receiving athletic financial aid are established by Wingate University and the NCAA.  Please refer to your grant-in-aid for additional information.

GENERAL SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS PRINCIPLES

These principles apply to all degree programs at Wingate University. Specific guidelines for each academic program are outlined after these general principles.

  • Federal Regulations require the university to establish SAP standards in the following areas: (1) cumulative GPA, (2) cumulative hours earned and (3) maximum time frame. In addition, the SAP policy must include a student’s total academic history.
  • SAP is determined at the end of each semester (fall, spring and summer) for which you are enrolled.
  • To earn hours at Wingate University, a student must receive a grade of A, B, C or D. Any other grade does not earn hours.
  • Classes in which a student receives a grade of “Withdrawal” (W) count as hours attempted but not hours earned, and therefore, negatively impacts a student’s ability to satisfy SAP.
  • Classes in which a student receives a grade of “Incomplete” (I) count as hours attempted but not hours earned, and therefore, negatively impacts a student’s ability to satisfy SAP.
  • When a student repeats a course, the total attempted hours increase with each repeat, but the student only earns hours for a completed course once. Therefore, repeating classes negatively impacts a student’s ability to satisfy the 67 percent passing rate, but may significantly increase a student’s cumulative GPA.
  • Included in attempted and earned hours are all transfer credits from any previous school(s). Attempted/earned hours also include credits earned through Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), or other similar testing programs.

2017-2018 SAP GUIDELINES BY ACADEMIC PROGRAM

Each academic program at Wingate University has SAP guidelines specific to that program. The 2017-2018 SAP Guidelines by Academic Program will help you determine the criteria you need to meet in order to maintain your financial aid eligibility. A copy of the comprehensive Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy can be obtained by visiting the Office of Student Financial Planning in the Stegall Administration Building.

FAILURE TO MEET SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS

Students who fail to meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards are placed on Financial Aid Warning (FAW) for the following semester (payment period). During the FAW period, a student can receive financial aid. If you meet the minimum standards at the end of the FAW, you are placed back in good standing.

At the end of the FAW period, students who still do not meet the SAP standards become ineligible for financial aid and are placed on Financial Aid Cancellation (FAC). Students receive written notification of the loss of financial aid.

Students who are re-admitted to Wingate University following a period of non-enrollment must meet Wingate University’s SAP policy in order to regain eligibility for financial aid.

REGAINING FINANCIAL AID

To regain your financial aid eligibility, you can enroll for (and attend) subsequent semesters without financial aid. Your progress will be re-evaluated at the end of each semester to determine your progress.

OR

Students who become ineligible to receive financial aid due to SAP and feel they have extenuating circumstances, may make a written appeal to the Financial Aid Committee. They must obtain and complete the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form. Please note: The SAP Appeal Form will automatically be sent to any student who fails to meet SAP guidelines.

FINANCIAL PLANNING ACADEMIC PLAN

Students who appeal, and subsequently have their appeals approved, will be placed on a Financial Planning Academic Plan that is developed by the Financial Aid Director and the Registrar. They will be given the status of Financial Aid Probation (FAP).  Students are required to meet with the Financial Aid Director to discuss and sign off on the terms of the Academic Plan. Once the Academic Plan is finalized, the student’s financial aid eligibility status will be updated and their financial aid awards will be reinstated (institutional funds are reinstated based on available funding). Academic Plans may be made for up to four semesters, and students placed on an Academic Plan must continually meet the terms of the plan (each semester) as outlined in the letter granting the appeal. — If a student fails to meet the terms of the Academic Plan for any given period, the student loses financial aid eligibility.