Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy

Recipients of financial aid must meet minimum qualitative and quantitative academic progress standards. Satisfactory academic progress (SAP) is determined by two criteria: cumulative grade point average and completion ratio (i.e. number of credits earned versus those attempted). SAP is reviewed once per academic year, at the end of each spring semester.

To make SAP, an undergraduate student must earn the minimum GPA and completion ratio indicated in the table below prior to the beginning of the term in which the financial aid is to be disbursed. All credits transferred into PSC and all credits attempted at PSC are included in the student’s cumulative attempted credits for the purpose of calculating the completion ratio. All credits transferred into PSC and all credits passed at PSC with grades of A, B, C, D, or P are included as credits earned for the purposes of calculating the completion ratio- although students can’t earn credits for the same class more than once (unless specifically stated in the catalog). Courses in which a failing grade, no pass grade, incomplete grade, or withdrawal is assigned are not successfully completed and will lower a student’s completion ratio. Students that received an incomplete grade that is converted to a passing grade, can notify the Financial Aid Office and request their SAP be measured again. Only coursework taken at PSC is included in the cumulative GPA; courses transferred into PSC do not impact cumulative GPA.

SAP Requirements

Total Attempted Credits Required Cumulative GPA Required Cumulative Completion Ratio
1-18 1.00 25%
18.5-30 1.50 35%
30.5-39.5 1.75 45%
40-59.5 1.90 60%
60+ 2.00 67%

Maximum Time frame for Completion of Degree or Certificate Requirements

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) also requires students to complete their degree program before attempting more than 150% of the number of credits required for their degree program. Therefore, students enrolled in a baccalaureate programs will be in violation of SAP after they attempt more than 180  credits. Associate degree students will be in violation of SAP after they attempt more than 90  credits.

SAP Appeal Process

Financial aid recipients failing to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) due to an extenuating circumstance such as serious injury, illness, or the death of an immediate family member can appeal in writing to the Director of Financial Aid. Students must submit documentation which confirms this circumstance. All appeals must explain why the student failed to make SAP and what has changed that will allow the student to make SAP at the next evaluation.

Students whose appeals are approved will be placed on probation and continue to have their records reviewed at the end of each semester to ensure the student is meeting the terms of their academic plan. Students will remain on SAP probation for as long as they continue to meet the terms of their academic plan, reinstate themselves under the terms of the PSC SAP policy, or graduate.

New York State Eligibility Standards

Satisfactory Academic Progress - New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) Undergraduate

Students receiving funding from New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) must also meet additional TAP satisfactory academic progress (SAP) requirements. Note that the criteria for TAP satisfactory academic progress differs from the federal and College satisfactory academic progress criteria listed in our SAP section. To view the number of credits and cumulative GPA required for NYS TAP eligibility, please visit the NYS Higher Education Services Corporation website.

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