Federal regulations require students to demonstrate Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) towards their goal of attaining a degree or certificate to receive financial assistance.
SAP is comprised of three components: a student must 1) complete their degree or certificate within a specified time period, 2) demonstrate they are making progress towards the completion of their degree or certificate by earning a minimum number of credit hours each semester, and 3) achieve a cumulative financial aid GPA that is consistent with meeting graduation requirements. Students who do not meet the SAP standards will not be eligible to receive financial aid.  Students who are no longer eligible to receive financial aid due to one or more of the standards, and believe that documented extraordinary circumstances prevented them from meeting the satisfactory academic progress standards may complete and submit this form as an appeal to the Financial Aid Office.

Extraordinary circumstances are considered to be significant life experiences that impacted you so much that
you were unable to meet the SAP standards and must refer to the same semester(s) you were experiencing
academic difficulty.

The list below are some examples of extraordinary circumstances, but it is not all inclusive.
Examples of Extraordinary Circumstances and Recommended Documentation
*documentation for COVID-19 related circumstances occurring since March 2020 is not required at this time,
but documentation of other extraordinary circumstances in all other semesters is necessary

Circumstance = Medical illness and/or injury  
Documentation = Doctor’s note and/or hospital records

Circumstance = Death of an immediate family member
Documentation = Obituary notice and/or death certificate and an explanation of the relationship to the student

Circumstance = Divorce or separation
Documentation = Divorce decree, letter from attorney, signed statement from a counselor or therapist

Circumstance = Military service
Documentation = Copy of military orders, DD-214

Circumstance = Legal issues or police matters
Documentation = Copy of court documents or police reports

You may NOT base your appeal on any of the following:
- Your need for financial aid
- Lack of knowledge of SAP standards
- You were not focused or committed to your education
- You did not know what classes to register for
- You did not like the instructor
- You did not know what major to choose
- You stopped attending classes without an extenuating circumstance