SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS (SAP)

What is SAP?

For students to receive financial aid under the programs authorized by Title IV of the Higher Education Act, the U.S. Department of Education requires you to maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) towards completing your degree This is separate from campus academic minimum progress requirements.

How does this impact students on Financial Aid?

SAP standards apply to all Title IV programs including Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG), Federal Work-Study, and Federal Direct Loans (Subsidized, Unsubsidized, Parent and Graduate PLUS Loans). SAP standards also apply to the Cal Grant programs, State and University need-based aid.

What are the SAP Requirements?

UC San Diego SAP Requirements

Requirement	UNDERGRADUATE*	GRADUATE*
GPA Minimum cumulative UC grade point average.	2.0	3.0
PACE Dividing cumulative number of courses successfully completed(NR,NP, I, F, W, IP or blank/missing grades are not successful completion of a course) by the cumulative number of courses attempted. Equal to or greater than the required pace percentage by year/grade level.	First year: (0-44 units) 30% Second year: (45 – 89 units) 50% Third/Fourth years: (90+ units) 66% Readmitted students: 50% for the year readmitted	First Year Grad: 50% Second year and beyond: 66%
Maximum Timeframe 150% of the published length of the program.	258 attempted units	Varies based on program

*see Undergraduate and Graduate link for details, exceptions and conditions.

For School of Medicine please visit the Health Sciences Financial Aid Office website.

SAP is reviewed annually for all students, and again quarterly for students not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress standards. After spring grades post, preliminary SAP notices will be sent to students not meeting SAP standards. Those students may want to consider if summer courses could help them.

How can I Appeal?

If you don't meet SAP standards you will lose your financial aid eligibility. If you had extenuating circumstances that prevented you from meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress, you may appeal.

The official end of year SAP review takes place after Summer Session grades post. At this point, students not meeting SAP will receive a notice of ineligible SAP status. SAP appeals are available in your MyTritonlink Financial Aid tool.

2022-23 SAP Appeal Deadlines

Fall 2022

10/28/2022

Winter 2023

2/10/2023

Spring 2023

5/5/2023

Frequently Asked Questions

Got questions? Use this resource to find answers to all your frequently asked questions.

Frequently Asked Questions