Satisfactory Academic Progress

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) measures whether a student is successfully progressing toward completion of their academic program. Students must meet SAP standards to remain eligible for continued enrollment and, if applicable, Title IV Federal Student Aid, Veteran’s Benefits, Military Tuition Assistance, state aid, institutional aid, and other financial aid programs administered through Sonoran Desert Institute (SDI). At SDI, SAP serves as both the Institute’s academic progression policy and the financial aid eligibility standard. SAP applies to all students, regardless of financial aid status.

SAP is evaluated based on the requirements of the student’s program of study. Students may only be enrolled in one program at a time and may only be registered for courses that apply to that program. SAP is evaluated at the end of each semester. For financial aid purposes, a semester is also the enrollment period, SAP evaluation period, and financial aid payment period. All enrollment periods are considered in SAP evaluations, regardless of whether the student received financial aid.

SAP standards and related policies and procedures may change based on regulatory requirements or institutional changes. Students are subject to the SAP standards and requirements applicable to their enrollment as established by SDI.

 

SAP Standards

Students must meet all three SAP standards at the end of each semester:

• Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA): 2.0 or higher (qualitative)
• Pace of Completion: 66.67% or higher (quantitative)
• Maximum Timeframe: completion within 150% of the published program length (quantitative)

Both qualitative and quantitative standards are evaluated at each SAP evaluation.

 

Qualitative Standard – Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA)

Students must maintain a minimum cumulative CGPA of 2.0, which is equivalent to a “C” average. CGPA is calculated by dividing total quality points earned by total attempted credits included in the CGPA calculation. A student does not meet the CGPA SAP standard when the student’s CGPA is below 2.0 at the time of evaluation.

 

For Qualitative Standards (CGPA) purposes:

• Only SDI coursework that applies to the student’s program of study is included in CGPA.
• Coursework not applicable to the student’s program is excluded from CGPA.
• Transfer credits are excluded from CGPA.
• Withdrawals with a grade of “W” are excluded from CGPA.
• Incomplete grades are excluded from CGPA calculations until a final grade is posted.
• If a course is retaken, the highest grade earned is included in CGPA.

 

Quantitative Standards: Pace of Completion and Maximum Timeframe
Pace of Completion Standard

Students must successfully complete at least 66.67% of all attempted credits that apply to their program of study. Pace is calculated by dividing total successfully completed credits by the total attempted credits included in the Pace calculation. A student does not meet the pace standard when the student’s pace is below 66.67% at the time of evaluation.

 

Maximum Timeframe Standard

Students must complete their program within 150% of the published length of the program. The maximum timeframe is calculated by multiplying the total credits required for program completion by 150%. A student exceeds the maximum timeframe when total attempted credits exceed this limit or when it becomes mathematically impossible for the student to complete all remaining program requirements without exceeding the limit.

 

For Quantitative Standards (Pace of Completion and Maximum Timeframe) purposes:

• SDI coursework attempted that applies to the student’s program is included.
• Coursework not applicable to the program is excluded.
• Transfer credits accepted toward the student’s SDI program are included as both attempted and successfully completed credits.
• Withdrawals with a grade of “W” and all retaken course attempts are included as attempted credits.
• Incomplete grades are included as attempted credit.
• A student does not meet the maximum timeframe standard when the student exceeds or cannot mathematically complete the program within the 150% maximum timeframe.

 

SAP and Course Retake Limitation Standard

The Course Retake Limitation Standard and related academic requirements are outlined in the “Course Retake Standards” section of this Catalog and are separate from the standards used to determine Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Approval of a SAP Appeal with or without an Academic Plan does not authorize a course attempt otherwise prohibited by the Course Retake Limitation Standard. Eligibility for financial aid for repeated coursework is determined separately in accordance with applicable financial aid requirements.

 

SAP Statuses

SAP Met:

A student who meets all SAP standards remains eligible under SAP requirements for continued enrollment and financial aid, if otherwise eligible.

 

SAP Warning:

If a student met SAP standards at the conclusion of the most recently evaluated semester or is in the first semester of program-applicable coursework and then fails to meet SAP standards at the next evaluation, the student will be placed on SAP Warning for one semester. A student cannot be placed on SAP Warning for two consecutive semesters or payment periods. During SAP Warning, no appeal is required; the student remains eligible under SAP requirements for continued enrollment and financial aid, if otherwise eligible. At the end of the SAP Warning semester, the student must meet SAP standards or be placed on SAP Probation through an approved appeal to remain enrolled and maintain financial aid eligibility.

 

SAP Probation (Approved SAP Appeal Required):

A student who does not meet SAP standards may continue enrollment on SAP Probation only if a SAP Appeal is approved. During SAP Probation; the student remains eligible under SAP requirements for continued enrollment and financial aid, if otherwise eligible. At the end of the SAP Probation semester, the student must either meet SAP standards or meet the requirements of an approved Academic Plan to remain enrolled and maintain financial aid eligibility.

 

SAP Probation with an Academic Plan (Approved Appeal Required)

An Academic Plan may be approved when SDI determines that the student cannot reasonably meet SAP standards within one semester of SAP Probation but may do so over a longer defined period. The Academic Plan will specify the academic requirements the student must meet each semester. The plan may extend through program completion. A student on an approved Academic Plan must meet the requirements of the plan at each evaluation period to remain eligible under SAP requirements for continued enrollment and maintain financial aid eligibility, if otherwise eligible.

A student who exceeds, or for whom it becomes mathematically impossible to complete the program within, the 150% Maximum Timeframe Standard may be permitted to continue only through an approved SAP Appeal and Academic Plan if SDI determines it is possible for the student to complete the program within a defined timeframe.

 

SAP Not Met

A student in SAP Not Met status:

• is not eligible to continue enrollment except as permitted under approved institutional policies and procedures;
• is not eligible for financial aid governed by SAP requirements; and
• may be academically dismissed from their SDI program.

 

Academic Dismissal

A student will be Academically Dismissed if the student:

• fails to meet SAP standards after the SAP Warning semester and does not submit a SAP Appeal, or the appeal is not approved;
• fails to meet the conditions of SAP Probation or an approved Academic Plan; or
• cannot complete the program within the 150% Maximum Timeframe SAP Standard and does not have an approved Academic Plan; or
• does not meet the Course Retake Limitation Standard as outlined in the “Course Retake Standards” section of the Catalog, regardless of SAP status.*

*A student who is Academically Dismissed for not meeting the Course Retake Limitation Standard must follow the “SAP and/or Academic Dismissal Appeals”, process outlined in this Catalog for reconsideration of Academic Dismissal.

 

Regaining Satisfactory Academic Progress

A student may regain SAP or continue to progress successfully under SAP requirements by:

• meeting all SAP standards independently; or
• successfully progressing under an approved Academic Plan until the student meets SAP standards or successfully completes the program.

 

SAP AND/OR ACADEMIC DISMISSAL APPEALS

Extenuating Circumstances Required:

Students may appeal a SAP determination and/or Academic Dismissal based on extenuating circumstances. Acceptable reasons for appeal include:

• injury or illness of the student;
• death of a relative; or
• other special circumstances.

 

The Appeal Must:

• explain why SAP and/or Course Retake Limitation Standard was not met;
• explain what has changed to support future academic success; and, for a SAP Appeal, satisfactory academic progress at the next evaluation, including progress under an approved Academic Plan, when applicable; and
• include sufficient information for SDI to evaluate the circumstances andmake a determination; and
• provide supporting documentation when requested by SDI.
  • Submission of supporting documentation at the time of appeal is strongly recommended.
  • Documentation may strengthen the appeal and expedite the review process.
  • When documentation is requested by SDI, it must be provided for the appeal to be considered.

 

Institutional Evaluation:

SDI evaluates Appeals on a case-by-case basis using the information and documentation provided. SDI will determine whether the student has demonstrated:

• For a SAP Appeal, SDI will determine whether the student can reasonably meet SAPstandards by the end of the next semester or can successfully progress under anAcademic Plan that, if followed, will enable the student to meet SAP standards by adefined point or successfully complete the program;
• For an Academic Dismissal Appeal based on the Course Retake Limitation Standard, SDI will determine whether the circumstances support permitting anadditional attempt of the required course; or
• If both appeals are required, the student must satisfy the applicable requirements foreach appeal.

 

Approved Appeals:

• If a SAP appeal is approved, the student may continue or re-enter in SAP Probation status and, if required, on an approved Academic Plan.
• If an Academic Dismissal Appeal for not meeting the Course Retake Limitation Standard is approved and the student is meeting SAP requirements, the student may continue or re-enter and will be granted one additional opportunity to successfully complete the related course.
• If the student is both SAP Not Met and Academically Dismissed for not meeting the Course Retake Limitation Standard, the student must receive approval of both the SAP Appeal and the Academic Dismissal Appeal before continuing or re-entering. If both are approved, the student will return or continue in SAP Probation status, with an Academic Plan if required, and will be granted one additional opportunity to successfully complete the related course.

 

Appeal Timing and Effective Term

SAP and/or Academic Dismissal Appeals must be submitted by the deadline established by SDI for the applicable or requested enrollment period. Appeals received after the applicable deadline may be considered for a future enrollment period. SDI will communicate appeal submission deadlines and outcomes through student notices. An approved appeal is effective for the enrollment period identified in the appeal decision.

 

Re-Entry or Readmission After Not Meeting SAP and/or Academic Dismissal

Re-Entry or Readmission to the Same Program*:

A student who is withdrawn or has been academically dismissed for not meeting SAP standards and/or for not meeting the Course Retake Limitation Standard may be eligible for re-entry or readmission to the same program in accordance with SDI’s re-entry, readmission, SAP and/or Academic Dismissal Appeal, and academic standards procedures.

• A student who is eligible for SAP Warning at the time of re-entry may return under SAP Warning status.
• A student who is deemed as SAP Not Met is required to submit and receive approval of a SAP Appeal before re-entry or re-admission to their program. If approved, the student may return under SAP Probation and/or an approved Academic Plan and must meet all assigned conditions to remain enrolled and maintain financial aid eligibility, if otherwise eligible.
• A student who has not met the Course Retake Limitation Standard is required to submit and receive approval of an Academic Dismissal Appeal before re-entry or re-admission to their program. If approved, the student may return and will be granted one additional opportunity to successfully retake the related course.
• A student who is both SAP Not Met and has not met the Course Retake Limitation Standard must receive approval of both the SAP Appeal and the Academic Dismissal Appeal before re-entry or readmission to the program.

 

Admission to a Different Program*:

Students who meet any of the following conditions will have their prior SDI academic history evaluated as a condition of admission to a different program and may be denied admission based on past academic performance:

• the student is currently not meeting SAP standards or did not meet SAP standards during a prior SDI program enrollment, including a student in SAP Warning, SAP Probation, or SAP Probation with an Academic Plan;
• the student completed a prior SDI program under an approved Academic Plan that extended Maximum Timeframe beyond the standard 150% limit; or
• the student is currently not meeting or did not meet the Course Retake Limitation Standard during a prior SDI enrollment.

For any student admitted to a different program, the student’s SAP status will be determined based on coursework applicable to the new program in accordance with SDI’s SAP standards at the time of admission.

*Additional requirements for re-entry or readmission to the same program, admission to a different program, subsequent appeals, and academic recovery plan procedures are maintained in the Catalog, institutional procedures, and student notices.

 

Success Recovery Plan after Dismissal (Cash Pay)
Students who have been academically dismissed may request to continue in self-pay status. Students who wish to pursue this option will initiate the request through their assigned Student Success Coach. A review of the request will be conducted by the SDI SAP Appeals Committee and the student will be notified of the decision along with related requirements.

Participation in a Success Recovery Plan does not independently restore SAP or financial aid eligibility and does not authorize a course attempt otherwise prohibited by the Course Retake Limitation Standard.

 

Student Notification

Students are notified of SAP evaluation outcomes and Academic Dismissal determinations that affect enrollment status or financial aid eligibility. Notices may include the student’s SAP status, and or basis for Academic Dismissal, reason for the determination, available appeal options, deadlines, required documentation, and any academic conditions required for continued or future enrollment.

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