Satisfactory Academic Progress
Federal regulations require the University to establish Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress as a general eligibility requirement for financial aid. A student must maintain satisfactory academic progress in a course of study regardless of whether the student previously received financial aid.
To meet the standards adopted by the University of Central Florida, a student must:
- Complete a minimum of 70% of the attempted hours taken during the course of the year. Compliance of this requirement is checked at the end of each spring term. If students fail to meet this requirement or were not enrolled during the last monitoring period (Fall/spring), a review of total hours taken at UCF will occur to determine if a 70% completion rate was attained for all attempted UCF course work. If a student fails to pass both of these reviews, the student will be placed on Satisfactory Academic Progress cancellation status, effective the following academic year, beginning Fall term. Students on probation must meet standards each term.
- Graduate within the number of hours allowed by the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy. Students are allowed a specific number of UCF attempted hours, based on their academic level at the time of admission to UCF. (see chart below)
- For detailed SAP policy information, please refer to the Office of Student Financial Assistance Web site at: http://finaid.ucf.edu.
| CLASSIFICATION | Time Limit Allowed For Completing Degree |
|---|
| Undergraduate Freshman | 180 Attempted UCF Hours |
| Transfer Sophomores | 135 Attempted UCF Hours |
| Transfer Juniors | 90 Attempted UCF Hours |
| Transfer Seniors | 45 Attempted UCF Hours |
| Second Degree | 60 Attempted Hours |
| Masters | 70 Attempted Hours |
| Specialist | 100 Attempted Hours (Including all Graduate hours) |
| Doctoral | 120 Attempted Hours (Including all Graduate Hours) |
Re-establishing Eligibility after Cancellation
Any student with extenuating circumstances, (i.e., death of a relative, an illness or injury of the student, etc.), who is placed on cancellation status may appeal to the Financial Aid Review Committee for reinstatement based on his/her special case.
If the student was canceled for the failure to complete 70% of the attempted hours and since cancellation, he/she has brought up the percentage to a minimum of 70%, the student may appeal to the committee for reinstatement, at that time.
To appeal, the student must:
- Complete the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form; (available on the Office of Student Financial Assistance Web site at: http://finaid.ucf.edu, under forms).
- Attach documentation that supports specific circumstance(s) to the appeal form; and,
- Submit the appeal and the supporting documentation to the Office of Student Financial Assistance.
After a thorough evaluation of the written request and all supporting documentation, the Financial Aid Review Committee will notify the student of the decision by e-mail communication or the student may view the updated status on myUCF, under View Financial Aid Status.