The academic performance of students enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown will be reviewed annually to determine whether or not they are making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), in compliance with federal student financial aid regulations. This review occurs during the month following the end of the spring term each year. All students who might be eligible to apply for federal financial aid will be reviewed and evaluated. This requirement applies to all continuing undergraduate degree seeking University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown students. Components of the SAP requirement include a measure of cumulative GPA, Total Attempted Credits and Pace of Completion.
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GPA Requirement
Undergraduate students with 30 credits or less earned, including accepted transfer/advance standing credits, must achieve a 1.5 cumulative GPA, to be considered to meet minimum SAP standards. Students with more than 30 credits earned, including accepted transfer/advance standing credits, must achieve a 2.0 cumulative GPA, to be considered to meet minimum SAP standards. GPA Calculator » -
Attempted Credits/Program Length
Credits attempted by a student cannot exceed 150% of the credits required as defined by the University's published length of the specific program. All courses with a passing or failing grade will be counted as credits attempted. All courses with a grade designated as G, I, or W will be counted as credits attempted. Credits on all repeated courses are counted as credits attempted. Transfer credits from another school are counted both in terms of hours attempted and hours completed in SAP evaluation. -
Pace of Completion
Pace of completion is based on cumulative credits attempted and cumulative credits completed and measured annually, at the end of the evaluation period. Cumulative student course completion rate cannot be less than 67%. - Satisfactory Academic Progress
All students who meet the GPA, pace of completion and maximum program length requirements are assigned a Satisfactory Academic Progress indicator for the upcoming school year. The Financial Aid Office assigns a No Progress status to students who do not meet these standards. Students are not eligible for Title IV financial aid and other financial aid sources if their SAP status is "No Progress." - Appeal Process
- The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown provides an appeal process for students who are determined to be No Progress. Appeals will be limited to students who experienced personal illness, personal accident, death of an immediate family member, or other extraordinary circumstances that prevented the student from attending classes and successfully completing the coursework. The appeal must be supported by documentation as requested by the Financial Aid Office.
- The Financial Aid Appeals Committee reviews all completed appeals that are submitted with appropriate documentation. If the appeal is reviewed favorably, the student is granted one term of probation for financial aid, and eligibility is reinstated for one payment period, provided it is mathematically possible to meet the SAP requirements at the end of the next payment period. In cases where it is not mathematically possible for a student to meet the minimum requirements in one term, students have the option of entering an academic plan with the University. If the appeal is reviewed unfavorably, the not meeting progress status remains, and the student is not eligible to receive financial aid as previously mentioned until the standards are met. Financial Aid Appeal Form.
- Re-establishing Eligibility
Students may re-establish financial aid eligibility by successfully completing 67% of their total attempted credits and meeting the cumulative GPA requirement. A re-evaluation of eligibility will only occur upon receipt of the Financial Aid Exception Form.
Check out frequently asked questions about SAP »
Please note:
The PA State Grant agency has its own separate academic requirements for students who receive the grant. For each academic year during which the student receives a PA State Grant, the student must successfully complete the minimum number of credits appropriate to the student’s enrollment status during the terms for which PA State Grant aid was received.
Students must pass at least 12 credits for every term that they receive a full-time PA State Grant and at least 6 credits for every term they receive a part-time PA State Grant.
Contact the Financial Aid Office or visit PA State Grant Program for more information.