SAP Policy

What is SAP?

To be eligible for financial aid, you must make satisfactory academic progress (SAP) toward your degree. Download a copy of the current SAP policy using the link at the top of this webpage.

The policy applies to all students, even those who have attended previously without financial aid at CWU or another school. You are responsible for understanding all requirements.

• Federal regulations stipulate that academic progress be monitored even if you are not receiving federal student aid. 
• Federal and State regulations may change annually, so it is important to review the published SAP policy every year.
• SAP requirements are different for undergraduates, post baccalaureate, and graduate students.

The SAP appeal forms can be downloaded using the links at the bottom of this page.

Academic Suspension: Reinstatement to the university does not automatically reinstate financial aid. If you have been reinstated after academic suspension, you may need to file a SAP Appeal in order to receive financial aid.

When is SAP reviewed? What are the requirements?

SAP status is evaluated using the following criteria:

• Grade Point Average
• Pace
• Maximum Time Frame

All students are reviewed quarterly, regardless of whether or not they received financial aid.

Remember that a student’s Academic Standing status must be good, warning, or probation. Academically suspended students are ineligible for financial aid.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

When we evaluate SAP, we look at your cumulative CWU GPA, which is calculated based on all the classes you've taken at CWU only. Transfer GPA does not count towards this value.

• Undergraduates must maintain a 2.0, while graduate students must maintain a 3.0.
• If your GPA is below this standard, you will be suspended. You can reestablish eligibility by raising your GPA to the required value.
• If you feel you have mitigating circumstances, you can appeal the financial aid suspension.

Pace

Your pace, or rate of completion, is the number of credits you earn divided by the number of credits you attempt. In most cases you attempt a credit when you enroll in a college-level class, and you earn that credit when you successfully complete the class with a passing grade.

• If your pace is below 67 percent, financial aid will be suspended. You can reestablish eligibility by raising your pace to 67 percent or higher. If you have mitigating circumstances, you can appeal your financial aid suspension.
• When you enroll in a college-level course, those credits are added to your attempted credits. This includes classes taken at CWU and accepted transfer credits. You earn credit for grades of A, B, C, D, and P. You do not earn credit for grades of F, EF, NS, U, NR, W, HW, W+, EP, IP, NC or I. Therefore, these grades will have a negative impact on the rate of completion. 
• Accepted transfer credits from another institution will be counted as both attempted and completed hours.
• If you repeat a course, each repetition counts toward your attempted credits, but you only earn credit the first time you earn a passing grade.

Maximum Time Frame (MTF)

To be eligible for financial aid at CWU, you must complete your degree within the maximum time frame. This means graduating before accumulating 150% of the attempted credits required to complete one major program.

• Attempted credits include all courses taken at CWU, as well as transfer credits, regardless of whether or not you passed the class..
• If you do not graduate within the MTF or our office determines that it is mathematically impossible to graduate within the maximum time frame, your aid will be suspended. If you have mitigating circumstances, you can appeal your financial aid suspension.
• This policy applies to both undergraduate and graduate students, including post baccalaureate and certificate programs.
• Only one major degree program can be considered in the maximum time frame calculation.
  • Undergraduates: First baccalaureate degree: eligibility ends at 270 attempted credits.
  • Post-baccalaureate (declared major) & Teacher Certification: Eligibility ends at 135 attempted credits.
  • Post-baccalaureates (undeclared major): Limited to receiving aid for 12 months from their start date.
  • Graduate students: Eligibility ends at 135 attempted credits.

Undergraduate students are be suspended when they reach 225 attempted credits. They are required submit a SAP appeal showing they will complete a degree within one academic year (45 credits).

To petition this suspension, complete the MTF Appeal with your academic advisor. Any exception will be based on the courses required to complete the degree. The appeal form is available online; approval is not guaranteed.

Graduate and post-baccalaureate students will be suspended at 90 attempted credits. Their appeal will need to demonstrate they can complete a degree program within one academic year (45 credits).

SAP Forms

View a PDF of the current SAP policy: 2025-2026 Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

Form for students who have been suspended from financial aid due to pace and/or GPA: 2025-2026 SAP Appeal Form

Form for students who are at or near the maximum time frame for aid eligibility: 2025-26 Maximum Time Frame (MTF) Appeal Form