Satisfactory Academic Progress

Your academic progress matters, especially when it comes to financial aid. Learn how NAU’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards help determine your eligibility for aid, and what to do if your status changes.

What is Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)?

SAP rules apply to federal and state financial aid, which includes grants, student and parent loans, and work study eligibility. These standards make sure you're on track to graduate while using federal and state aid. Private scholarships and lenders may also review your SAP status when evaluating eligibility.

To keep your financial aid, you need to meet all three SAP standards: GPA, pace of progress, and maximum timeframe. Let’s break them down:

1.  Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)
  • Undergraduates: minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.
  • Graduate students: minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA

Only NAU course grades are included in the cumulative GPA. Transfer credits or other non-qualifying credit hours are not included in the calculation.

Note: If taking a pass/fail course, please keep in mind that a passing grade will not count toward a student’s GPA, but a failing grade will.

2.  Pace of progress

Complete at least 67% of the classes you attempt. Withdrawn (W), Incomplete (I), In Progress (IP), or repeated classes that don’t improve your GPA may slow your pace. Pace of progress is calculated by the total sum of successfully completed credit hours divided by the total attempted credit hours (Completed ÷ Attempted = Pace of Progress).

Transfer credits count as both completed and attempted. Incomplete (I) and In Progress (IP) classes are considered attempted, but not completed until the grade(s) are posted.

NOTE: Only career-appropriate courses count toward earned credits. For example, undergraduate courses taken by graduate students do not count as earned credits but are considered attempted, which can have a negative effect on pace.

3.  Maximum timeframe

Students must complete a degree within a certain number of credits. Official credit requirements based on your career major are listed in the academic catalog.

Undergraduate students: Up to 150% of required credits. Students should complete their program within 180 attempted credits.

Graduate students: varies based on program.

  • Masters students: program length plus 18 additional graduate credits.
    • Example: graduate programs that require 36 credits should be completed within 54 credits.
  • Doctoral students: program credit length plus 30 additional graduate credits.

Certificate programs

Not all certificate programs are eligible for federal or state aid and there is no additional credit allowance for certificate programs.

Students that are in a certificate program AND a degree program must complete both within the maximum timeframe that aligns with their degree program.

NOTE: Maximum timeframe is measured by academic career, undergraduate, or graduate. Beginning a new program in the same career does not restart the timeframe calculation. Students are limited to one appeal for maximum timeframe per program per career.

Your SAP status and what it means

It is important that students understand their SAP status and the action(s) needed to remain eligible for federal and state financial aid. The following are SAP statuses assigned to a student after a SAP evaluation:

Meets all SAP standards

You’re good to go and eligible for aid.

SAP suspension

You didn’t meet one or more standards and aren’t eligible for aid until resolved. Check LOUIE to see what’s missing or file an SAP appeal.

SAP probation

You filed an appeal, and it was approved. You must meet specific conditions to keep your aid. We’ll check again at the end of the term.

Getting your SAP status

SAP statuses are assigned based on the results of the evaluation and may be viewed via a student’s LOUIE account under the Financial Aid link.

A SAP status of “Meets all SAP Standards” or “SAP Probation” is required to be considered for federal or state funding. A "SAP Suspension" status will prevent federal and state funds from disbursing.

If a student’s status is SAP suspension, the student will be sent an email and see a To Do List item in their LOUIE account that explains the specific SAP standard that was not met.

Failed SAP? You’ve got options to regain eligibility:

  • Raise your GPA or pace without aid.
  • Submit an appeal to explain your situation and request aid reinstatement.

You can appeal a SAP Suspension status, just make sure to submit all documents at once. Submitting a SAP appeal does not guarantee approval. Review the appeal processing timelines on the financial aid and deadlines page for more information.

Review SAP appeal deadlines
Submit a SAP appeal

SAP evaluation takes place immediately upon admission to the university and the creation of a financial aid record. A financial aid record is created when a student receives any type of an award or for whom NAU receives the results of a FAFSA.

The Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid (OSFA) then evaluates SAP annually at the end of each spring semester. Evaluations set the student’s SAP status for the upcoming award year, which begins in the fall. Students who are suspended after the spring evaluation retain eligibility for the summer.

SAP evaluations will not be recalculated. Any updates to incomplete grades that are made after the SAP evaluation will not take effect until the next evaluation period.

Students on SAP probation and/or are in a certificate-only program are evaluated at the end of each semester after grades post, including summer.

FAQs: Satisfactory Academic Progress

Does SAP affect my academic standing at NAU?

No. SAP only affects your financial aid eligibility. Your academic standing with NAU is evaluated separately.

I’m earning a degree and a certificate, how does SAP work for me?

 You’ll be reviewed using degree-based SAP standards, including the 150% time limit.

Do transfer credits count toward my SAP status?

Yes. Transfer credits count as both attempted and completed credits, and they factor into your pace and maximum timeframe.

I have a double major. Will that affect my financial aid?

It might. If you hit 180 attempted credit hours, you’ll be flagged for maximum timeframe and need to submit a SAP appeal and plan.

How does SAP work if I'm only in a certificate program?

Your SAP is checked at the end of each semester. Your attempted hours can’t go beyond the total credits listed in your program.

Does taking summer classes affect my SAP?

Yes. Your summer grades will impact your SAP during the next evaluation period. If you successfully appealed your summer SAP Suspension, then your evaluation period will be at the end of the summer semester.

Does academic renewal reset my SAP standing?

Unfortunately, no. Even if your GPA resets on your transcript, SAP evaluations still include all your past coursework and grades.

What counts as “attempted” credits?

All courses that you attend will be considered as "attempted" credits. Courses with grades of 'W', 'I', or 'IP' grades are considered attempted, but not earned.

I’m finishing a thesis or dissertation. How do In Progress (IP) grades impact SAP?

IP grades count as attempted, not completed. Depending on your current pace, they may or may not lead to SAP issues.

How are repeated courses evaluated for SAP?

Repeated courses count as attempted each time. If the course is passed, it counts as one completion.

I’m starting graduate school after finishing my bachelor's at NAU. Does my SAP reset?

Yes! Switching to a new academic career (like undergrad to grad) means your SAP calculations start fresh.

What if I'm pursuing a post-baccalaureate degree?

Post-bacc programs don’t get a SAP reset. Your past coursework and GPA still count, including hours from your bachelor’s degree.

Have questions?

Incoming students: Contact Admissions at admissions@nau.edu or 928-523-5511.

Continuing students: Contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid (OSFA) at financial.aid@nau.edu or 928-523-4951.