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Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Arlington Baptist University requires a student to achieve a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.0 (C average) to graduate from any of the degree programs.

A student must demonstrate satisfactory academic progress toward the completion of the degree program in which the student is enrolled and pursuing in order to receive Title IV financial aid funds through the Pell Grant or Student Loan Programs and in order to receive veterans’ benefits through the DVARO.

The Federal guidelines state that there must be both quantitative and qualitative standards established by the institution, which determine whether a student is progressing satisfactorily toward the completion of a degree program.  The student has six years to complete a four-year program.

The student must successively complete 67% of the courses attempted each year to satisfy the quantitative standard.  The qualitative standard is based on the cumulative grade point average achieved at the following increments:             

 

UNDERGRADUATES  (Based on Attempted Courses)
Cumulative Attempted HoursCumulative GPAActually Completed
0-31 Hours1.067%
32-63 Hours1.567%
64-above Hours2.067%
 GRADUATE STUDENTS (Based on Attempted Courses)
Cumulative Attempted HoursCumulative GPAActually Completed
0-36 Hours3.067%

*Arlington Baptist University reserves the right to deny any student access to financial aid if the student does not successfully complete any courses during a particular term (fall, spring or summer) even if the student meets the quantitative and/or qualitative standards stated in the chart above. In this case, the student is not denied enrollment in future terms; however, the student will not be allowed to use financial aid through ABU until the student can show academic progress.  This academic progress can be shown by completing course work at ABU or through another institution.  Students may also be denied attendance and financial aid due to previous criminal activity. 

If a student’s cumulative grade point average (CGPA) falls below 2.0 (C average), the student will be advised to enroll for no more than 13 semester hours, and the student will be advised to maintain an outside work schedule of no more than 20 hours per week.

ANNUAL MAXIMUM LOAN LIMIT (Updated Fall 2022) 

This limit restricts the total amount of direct student loans that you may borrow annually. 

The annual maximum loan amount an undergraduate student may borrow must be prorated when the student’s remaining period of study is shorter than an academic year and the student is enrolled in less than 12 hours. A student who’s planning to graduate at the end of the fall semester is subject to this requirement. 

 

Dependent StudentIndependent Student

Freshman (0-31 credit Hours)$5,500 (no more than $3,500 subsidized)$9,500 (no more than $3500 subsidized)
Sophomore (32-63 credit Hours)$6,500 (no more than $4,500 subsidized)$10,500 (no more than $4,500 subsidized)
Junior/Senior (64+ credit Hours)$7,500 (no more than $5,500 subsidized)$12,500 (no more than $5,500 subsidized)

Students, who receive federal funds administered by Arlington Baptist University Office of Financial Aid, must demonstrate satisfactory academic progress for their course load as a fulltime, part-time, undergraduate, or graduate student.  The student’s academic record at ABU is used to measure satisfactory progress and all periods of enrollment at ABU must be counted, including any semesters in which the student did not receive financial aid.   There are three standards for satisfactory progress: cumulative grade point average (GPA), successful completion of courses, and time frame. 

Grade Point Average - Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 1.50 for up to 64 hours attempted and 2.0. for 65 hours or more attempted. Grades of A, B, C, D, F and WF contribute toward the cumulative GPA. Students who do not have an ABU academic history (first time college enrollment or incoming transfer students) will be assumed to be making satisfactory progress at the time of first enrollment.  Developmental course work is not included in the cumulative GPA.  The last grade earned for a repeated course is included in the student’s GPA.  Students may be funded for a repeated course.   Transfer grades are not included in the ABU GPA calculation.   

 Successful Completion of Courses - Each semester students must successfully complete at least 67% of all hours attempted as of their enrollment at official count day at ABU.  This includes both developmental and college level course work.  Successful completion is measured by grades of A, B, C, D, and P.  Grades of  F, W, WF, U, I,  and AU are counted toward the total hours attempted but not successfully completed each semester. The 67% successful completion requirement of all courses also serves as the quantitative measure for remedial courses. 

Time Frame– Federal regulations specify that the maximum time frame for program completion may not exceed one hundred fifty (150%) percent of the published length of the program.  Time frame is measured by the number of credit hours attempted. If the student switches degree or certificate programs, ABU will not count toward the one hundred fifty (150%) percent maximum time frame the credits attempted in the old major.  However, any courses that apply to the new program must be counted.  For transfer students, ABU will count those transfer credits that apply toward the new or current program.  Students who exceed the one hundred fifty (150%) percent maximum time frame limit will no longer be eligible for financial aid.    Developmental classes do not count toward the 150% maximum time frame.  Credits that have been repeated will be counted toward the one hundred fifty (150%) percent maximum time frame. Once it is determined that it is mathematically impossible for the student to complete his/her program within the maximum time frame, the student becomes ineligible for aid.

Failure to Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress

Financial Aid Warning - Students who fail to meet the cumulative grade point average and/or the successful completion of course standards will be placed on financial aid Warning status for their next semester of enrollment. A student on financial aid Warning will be eligible to receive financial aid.  If the two standards are met at the end of the Warning semester, the Warning status will be removed. When students receive SAP Warnings, they can continue for one semester.  These students will be sent a Warning letter at the end of the semester.  If, at the end of the warning status, the student’s cumulative GPA and percentage of courses passed does not meet the qualitative or the quantitative standard as stated on the SAP chart, the student will be placed on financial aid Probation.

Financial Aid Probation - Financial aid Probation occurs when the student does not meet the qualitative or quantitative standard as stated on the SAP chart for two consecutive semesters.  The Director of Financial Aid also reserves the right, through professional judgment, to place a student on financial aid Probation.  When placed on Probation status, students will not receive financial aid; this includes student loans, while on financial aid Probation.   To regain eligibility, students must enroll at ABU or another college / university and successfully complete enough courses to meet the cumulative GPA requirement as stated on the SAP chart.   Before financial eligibility can be regained, the student must meet the qualitative and quantitative standard as stated on the SAP chart. Students who are placed on Probation status lose Title IV eligibility unless they file an appeal, and the appeal is approved. If the student is approved, the student is then on financial aid probation for one more semester or for the period of their academic plan. When this is accomplished, the student will be removed from financial aid Probation and therefore eligible for financial aid.  Financial aid Probation is permanent, and the student cannot regain their eligibility once he/she has been placed on financial aid Probation for the third time.  STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR NOTIFYING THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL AID WHEN THEY BELIEVE THEY HAVE REGAINED ELIGIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Monitoring

Students’ progress will be reviewed at the end of each long semester (December for students enrolled in the Fall or a Fall Block course; May for students enrolled in the Spring or a Spring block course; and August for students enrolled in the Summer.)  Notification of a student’s probation or suspension status will be emailed to the student using their ABU student email. provided

Appeal Procedure

Students placed on financial aid probation due to lack of satisfactory progress may appeal the denial of financial aid due to an unusual or extraordinary situation that affected the student’s progression toward the successful completion of his or her program of study.   Examples of unusual circumstances include the following: injury or illness of the student or family member, death of a relative of the student, maximum time limit exceeded, or other special circumstances. The appeal must be submitted in writing to the Financial Aid office and must include supporting documentation to support the appeal. Appeals submitted without supporting documentation will be denied. The appeal must address why the student failed to make satisfactory academic progress, this includes, if applicable, the semester the student was placed on Probation, and what has changed in the student's situation that would allow the student to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress at the next evaluation. An appeal may be approved only if the Financial Aid office has determined that the student will be able to meet satisfactory academic progress standards after the subsequent semester. The Financial Aid office also has the option to develop an academic plan with the student that, if followed, will ensure the student is able to meet satisfactory academic progress standards by a specific point in time. Students who are appealing the maximum time frame limit must provide a copy of their degree plan that has been signed by their academic advisor. The Financial Aid office will notify students in writing of the results within 30 business days after submitting all requested documentation.  Students who successfully appeal their financial aid probation status will still be placed on financial aid probation for one semester or in accordance with the student’s academic plan.  ABU can require that a student on probation fulfill specific terms and conditions, such as taking a reduced course load or enrolling in specific courses. A student on financial aid probation may receive financial aid for one semester only. At the end of that semester, the student must meet ABU's satisfactory academic progress standards or the requirements of the established individual academic plan to maintain financial aid eligibility. Failure to do so will result in the student being placed on financial aid probation.