The Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy for SDI is designed to promote the successful completion of each student’s academic program and is aligned with specific regulatory requirements. Each student’s academic progress will be evaluated at the end of each semester using grade and pace standards. For a student to meet the standards of SAP, the student must have a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) at the end of each semester of 2.0 and demonstrate successful completion of at least 66.67% of credits taken toward the program of study. This pace is designed to ensure completion of the program within the 150% maximum time frame. If at any evaluation point, the student cannot mathematically complete the program without attempting more than 150% of the program’s required credits, the student would not be meeting SAP based on maximum time frame. At each evaluation point, SDI will notify the student of any result that may affect funding and/or eligibility to continue.
All transfer credits that are accepted by the Institute and applied to the student’s program of study will be treated as both credits attempted and credits earned. Courses with a temporary grade of Incomplete will not be used in the SAP evaluation until a final grade is entered and SAP is recalculated for that period. All attempts for repeated course work will be treated as credits attempted and the passing grade will replace failed grades in the CGPA. Courses may not be repeated for credit if the student has already achieved a passing grade. Individual 4 or 8 week courses from which a student withdraws up to the 75% point in the course will be assigned a “W” grade and will be treated as credits attempted but not earned, impacting pace but without impact to the CGPA. Individual 5 week courses from which a student withdraws up to the 80% point in the course will be assigned a “W” grade and will be treated as credits attempted but not earned, impacting pace but without impact to the CGPA.
Academic Warning
A student who fails to achieve the SDI SAP standards under this policy will be placed on one semester of Academic Warning. During the Academic Warning period, students can receive guidance to assist in attaining acceptable progression requirements and are still eligible to receive funding. SDI may require students to fulfill specific conditions, including modifications to course loads or registration in specific courses.
Academic Dismissal
At the completion of the warning period, a student who fails to achieve standards of CGPA and/or pace and/or maximum time frame constraints is subject to academic dismissal and loss of all funding options.
SAP Appeals
In extenuating circumstances, SDI may consider an appeal from a student who fails to achieve SAP after the Academic Warning period. Consideration of such appeal would include determination of the student’s ability to reestablish acceptable academic progress. Students who wish to appeal must submit a signed SDI appeal form to the SAP Appeals Committee at SAPAppeals@sdi.edu, including the reason why the student failed to make satisfactory academic progress and what has changed in the student’s situation that will allow the student to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress at the next evaluation point. Upon submission of the SAP Appeal, a review will be conducted by the SDI Appeals Committee and the student will be notified of the decision.
SAP Probation
Students whose appeals are approved will be placed on Academic Probation and are eligible to receive funding. The standard duration of the Academic Probation period is one semester in length. By completion of this semester, the student must have achieved a CGPA of 2.0, and demonstrated successful completion of at least 66.67% of courses taken toward the program of study and have the ability to complete the program within the 150% maximum time frame to be removed from Academic Probation status. Students who fail to make academic progress, will be subject to academic dismissal.
Academic Plans
On occasion, a student may be approved for a probationary period that includes multiple evaluation periods (semesters). In these circumstances, an academic plan is established detailing the requirements the student must meet to demonstrate progressive achievement toward SAP standards. Academic plans must be reviewed and signed by the student as a condition of the approved academic probationary period. At each evaluation period during the academic plan, the student’s progress is measured against the plan requirements to determine if the student may continue under the probationary status. If the requirements of the plan have not been met, the student would be in violation of SAP and again subject to academic dismissal.
Denied Appeals
Students whose appeals have been denied 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 will be conducted by the SDI Appeals Committee and the student will be notified of the decision.