Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is a standard used to measure progress toward the
completion of coursework toward a degree. Elms College is required by federal regulations to establish a reasonable Satisfactory Academic Progress policy to determine if a student is making progress in their educational program. The standard of SAP applies to eligibility for college activities, including varsity athletics, as well as, federal and state financial aid programs and institutional aid. SAP standards apply to all students, full-time, part-time, degree and certificate candidates. Students who fail to meet the SAP standards set forth in this policy are ineligible to receive most forms of federal, state and institutional financial aid.

Students are evaluated at the end of each academic term by the Registrar to determine if they are in satisfactory academic standing. In addition, a SAP review for financial aid eligibility will occur annually at the end of the spring semester. All prior course work is evaluated and will determine if a student is meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements spelled out below.

I. Qualitative

For qualitative purposes, Satisfactory Academic Progress requires a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or better. Undergraduate student GPAs are reviewed annually at the end of the spring semester to evaluate eligibility for federal, state, and institutional grants, scholarships, loans, and work programs. Students that fail to meet this standard will not be eligible for federal aid until the minimum cumulative GPA is achieved. Note some degree programs may have higher GPA and credit requirements to maintain program eligibility.

II. Quantitative

Students must also meet the quantitative requirements to retain eligibility for financial aid. Students must complete 67% of their cumulative attempted credits to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. Attempted credit hours are totaled and multiplied by 0.67 to determine the number of credit hours a student must have earned to be considered making progress. Transfer credits earned by students from other institutions and accepted by Elms are included in the percentage of completed classes.

III. Time

The time standard allows 150 percent of the normal degree requirements (the federal maximum) for credit hours attempted (including transfer and incomplete hours) for degree completion. For example, 120 credit hours (for BA/BS) x 1.5 = 180 maximum credit hours44 attempted. Note, due to federal regulations, there is no appeal or extension for exceeding the 150% time standard requirement.

If a student fails to meet either the qualitative or quantitative measure, the student will be placed on Academic and Financial Aid probation, and will be ineligible for financial aid in future semesters until determined to be making Satisfactory Academic Progress. However, students with significant documented extenuating circumstances may appeal to regain eligibility. Please contact the Financial Aid office for additional information.

Contact Information

If you have questions regarding your financial aid and scholarships, please contact the Financial Aid Office at (413) 265-2249. If you have any questions in regards to why you are on academic alert or probation, please contact the Registrar’s Office (413) 265-2314. If you have any questions about support services on campus, please contact the Advising Office at (413) 265-2256. If you have any questions about athletic eligibility, please contact the Director of Athletics at (413) 265-2395. Finally, if you have any questions about student life, please contact the Dean of Students Office at (413-265-2210.