Title: 2.22 Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid Eligibility
Number: AP 2.22
Adopted:
Reviewed: February 2026
Revised: February 2026
Purpose:
The purpose of this policy is to establish standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to ensure that students receiving federal, state, and institutional financial aid are making measurable progress toward the completion of an eligible degree or certificate program in accordance with federal regulations.
Policy:
Students receiving financial aid must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward completion of course requirements for an associate degree or eligible technical diploma or certificate. Federal financial aid may only be used for coursework that is required for a student’s financial aid eligible program or for approved remedial coursework designed to prepare the student for success in that program.
All periods of enrollment (fall, spring, and summer terms) and all applicable credits are considered when evaluating SAP, including terms in which the student did not receive financial aid.
To remain in satisfactory SAP standing at Nicolet College, a student must meet all the following requirements:
1. Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement:
Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Remedial coursework is included in GPA calculations.
For repeated coursework, only the highest grade earned is included in the GPA.
Transfer credits are not included in GPA calculations.
2. Completion Rate Percentage Requirement:
Students must successfully complete at least 67% of all credits attempted.
Attempted credits include all credits in which a student is enrolled, including remedial courses, repeated courses, withdrawals, incompletes, and transfer credits, regardless of whether financial aid was received.
Transfer credits are included as both attempted and completed for completion rate calculations.
3. Maximum Time Frame Requirement:
Students must complete their degree or eligible technical diploma within 150% of the published program length. Example: If a program requires 60 credits, the maximum allowable attempted credits is 90.
A student becomes ineligible for federal financial aid at the point it is mathematically impossible to complete the program within the 150% maximum time frame.
A new 150% maximum time frame begins when a student changes or adds a program after receiving an approved SAP appeal.
Special Course Considerations
Remedial Courses
Students admitted to an eligible program may enroll in up to one academic year of remedial non-program coursework that will be included in SAP evaluations.
Repeated Coursework
Once a student earns a passing grade in a course, federal financial aid may be used for one additional attempt to improve the grade. All repeated attempts count as attempted credits. Only the highest grade earned is included in GPA calculations. All passing grades are included in completed credits.
Incompletes
A grade of “I” (Incomplete) may be converted to a passing grade within one term if the student completes the course requirements. After one term, an unresolved “I” converts to an “F”. Incomplete grades are not counted as attempted credits or included in GPA calculations until a final grade is assigned. SAP is recalculated once the final grade is posted and prior to the next financial aid disbursement.
Transfer Credits
Transfer credits are not included in GPA calculations but are included as both attempted and completed credits for completion rate and maximum time frame determinations.
Evaluation of SAP
SAP is evaluated at the end of each term or payment period (fall, spring, and summer terms) including periods in which the student does not receive financial aid. Evaluations occur once final grades are posted.
SAP Statuses
Financial Aid Warning
Students who fail to meet SAP standards will be placed on Financial Aid Warning for one term and remain eligible for financial aid. If SAP standards are not met by the end of the warning term, the student is placed on Financial Aid Suspension.
Financial Aid Suspension
Students who fail to meet SAP standards after a warning or probation term will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension and become ineligible for federal financial aid.
Appeal Process
Students who fail to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards may submit an appeal if they have documented extenuating circumstances that impacted their academic performance (e.g., illness, injury, death of a family member, or other significant circumstances). Appeals may not be based on lack of awareness of SAP requirements or financial need.
Students must submit a Financial Aid Appeal Form explaining the circumstances that prevented them from meeting SAP standards, how the circumstances have been resolved or addressed, and what changes have been made to support future academic success.
Appeals are reviewed by the Financial Aid Office. Students will be notified of the appeal decision and any requirements or conditions that must be met for continued financial aid eligibility.
Students may submit no more than three SAP appeals.
Financial Aid Probation
Students with approved appeals are placed on Financial Aid Probation for one payment period. Students must complete an academic plan with their Success Coach and comply with all appeal conditions. Continued eligibility depends on meeting SAP standards or the terms of the academic plan.
Financial Aid Denial
Students who fail to meet the conditions of their probation or whose appeal is denied must successfully complete at least six credits with a 2.0 GPA in every course and no withdrawals before becoming eligible to submit another appeal.
Program Changes
- Students who change or add a program must meet with a Success Coach to complete a new program plan.
- Appeals may be required for continued or additional federal funding.
- SAP standards apply cumulatively across all programs.
- A new maximum time frame begins only after an approved appeal.