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SAP Tips

Helpful tips for completing a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal form

Indiana State University is required to ensure that a student is maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in his or her educational program. Failure to meet the SAP standards makes a student ineligible to receive most types of financial aid. Additional information about SAP can be obtained by viewing the SAP policy. Students are allowed to appeal their SAP status in an attempt to regain financial aid eligibility. Submission of an appeal does not guarantee that aid eligibility will be restored. Being ineligible for aid does not prohibit students from enrolling in/attending classes. The student is responsible for any balance owed to the University (including late fees) regardless of the outcome of an appeal.

Process for Appeals

1.Student completes and submits a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal form
2.The appeal is reviewed for completeness. Incomplete appeals will be placed on hold. Students will be notified that additional details are needed.
3.A committee reviews the appeal and makes a decision to approve or deny it
4.The MyISU Portal is updated with the committee appeal decision
5.An email is sent to the student notifying them of the committee’s appeal decision and academic plan (if approved)
6.If approved, you will be placed on a plan.  As long as you are meeting the terms of the plan, you will remain eligible for aid.
7.If denied, the student has the option to submit a subsequent appeal if they have additional details or documentation to be reviewed.

Completing Section A.

  • Selecting a term
    • Select the term that you plan to enroll and would like to regain financial aid eligibility
  • Listing credit hours
    • Based on the term selected this section needs to list the credit hours you are currently taking or the credit hours you plan to take (if you selected a future semester). 
  • Expected graduation
    • Indiana State University hosts graduation three (3) times an academic year: December, May, and August.  The expected graduation date should be your goal to reach.

Completing Section B.

Appeal Statement

If this is not your first appeal for a particular issue, the Committee needs to see progress with grades and completion rate, with the goal of completing your degree.

Question 1

This is your opportunity to explain to us why you did not make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).  Below are things to consider when completing this statement section:

  • What caused me to struggle?
  • How did the timing of the issue effect the semester that I struggled in school?
  • Do I have documentation?  Such as:
    • Copy of obituary if you experienced the death of family member/loved one
    • Copy of medical records if you experienced physical or mental illness.  Note: timeframes should match
    • Proof of change in pay or expenses if you suffered financial hardship/difficulty
    • Statement of support by advisor/professors if you experienced academic struggles
    • Proof of an unresponsive professor

Question 2

This is your opportunity to share with us how you are working to overcome the struggles listed in Question 1.  Below are things to consider when completing this statement section:

  • What has changed?
    • List facts instead of future plans
    • How did my medical situation/living situation/family situation improve?
  • How do I get back on track (academic plan)?
    • Courses to be taken (or retaken), change in major, etc.
    • Documentation of meeting with my academic advisor.
    • Be specific!  Avoid generalities such as “study more” or “focus more.”

Resources for Financial Aid

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