Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
College of Eastern Idaho is required by federal regulation to develop and apply a standard for satisfactory academic progress (SAP) for students receiving federal financial aid. This includes a qualitative and quantitative standard. At CEI a student is required to maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average and complete at least 67% of the courses attempted. In addition, the maximum timeframe for financial aid is defined as 150% of the published degree requirements. Failure to maintain SAP will result in a warning or denial of financial aid.
FAQs
Why was my Financial Aid denied?
Students are required to: maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0, make progress toward completion of their degree, and complete degree/program within a specific timeframe. Students not meeting these requirements can be placed on a warning semester or denied financial aid.
Can I appeal to have my Financial Aid reinstated?
In the case of extenuating circumstances (such as injury, illness, or death of an immediate family member); students may appeal for reinstatement of their financial aid, in writing, by completing the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal form or the Maximum Credit Appeal form and return it to the Financial Aid Office.
The appeal should address and document extenuating circumstances and describe how circumstances have changed so the student is able to be academically successful. Students must be registered for courses at the time the appeal is submitted.
What happens after I submit my appeal?
A committee will review your appeal and the documents supporting your statement. Appeals can take 2-4 weeks for review. You are responsible for any outstanding balance on your account while your appeal is waiting to be reviewed.
In all cases, the outcome of any appeal depends on the nature of the circumstances, the quality of documentation provided, how the circumstances are being resolved or managed, and how well the student has demonstrated whether good progress is being made toward earning a degree.
The committee decision will be sent to your CEI student email.
Delays in Financial Aid
Students who are not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) or are on an approved appeal may experience delays in receiving financial aid the following term.
Appeals
SAP Appeals
All degree/certificate-seeking students must meet satisfactory academic progress (SAP) standards in order to establish and maintain eligibility for federal financial aid. These standards are monitored and reviewed each semester. If these standards are not met, students may be placed on warning or denied financial aid.
CEI is required by federal regulation to develop and apply a standard for satisfactory academic progress (SAP) for students receiving federal financial aid. This includes a qualitative and quantitative standard. A student is required to maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average and complete at least 67% of the courses attempted. In addition, the maximum timeframe for financial aid is defined as 150% of the published degree requirements. Failure to maintain SAP will result in a warning or denial of financial aid.
In the case of extenuating circumstances (such as injury, illness, or death of an immediate family member); students may appeal their financial aid suspension in writing by completing the General Appeal form or the Maximum Credit Appeal form and return it to the Financial Aid Office. The appeal should address and document extenuating circumstances and describe how circumstances have changed so the student is able to be academically successful. Students must be registered for courses at the time the appeal is submitted.
- Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form
- Maximum Credit Appeal Form
- Appeals Process and Policy
Other Types of Financial Aid Appeals
The process of determining a student's financial aid eligibility is the same for all applicants based on the FAFSA calculation; however, there is some flexibility when students and/or their families experience significant changes in circumstances from the initial FAFSA filing in their ability to meet educational costs, known as Professional Judgments.
The most common types of changes in circumstances occur when families experience a job loss or income reduction, the death or divorce of student's parent or spouse, or a change in student's marital status. The Financial Aid Office may consider a student's unusual circumstances to make adjustments to the FAFSA data elements used to calculate the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and/or change a student's dependency status, according to federal education laws and guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Education.
- Special Circumstances Appeal Form
- Dependency Appeal Form
- Marital Status Appeal Form
- Appeals Process and Policy