Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and Title IV Financial Aid

In accordance with Title IV Regulations, students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) by meeting certain academic requirements in order to maintain Title IV Financial Aid eligibility. Procedures for the measurement and monitoring of SAP are contained in policy ADM 2.06 Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy.

SAP requirements related to Title IV Financial Aid eligibility are more stringent than academic progression standards, which are defined in policy ACA 2.02 Academic Progression. As such, a student may fail to meet SAP for Title IV Financial Aid eligibility and continue in “good standing” according to academic progression standards.

SAP is calculated within the SIS consistently for all students for all periods of enrollment at the end of every Semester. SAP measures academic progress towards the completion of the academic program in both qualitative and quantitative components.

Qualitative Progress — Cumulative Minimum GPA Students must maintain a Cumulative Minimum GPA of 2.0, equivalent to a “C”.

Quantitative Progress (Maximum Time Frame) — Students are required to complete their academic program within a reasonable time frame based upon the published program length.

• Maximum Time Frame — Title IV Regulations require institutions’ SAP standards for determining eligibility for Title IV Financial Aid be as stringent or more stringent than its academic progress (progression) standards and require students to complete their academic program within 150% of the published program length. As further defined by policy ACA 2.02 Academic Progression, SOMI’s Academic Progression standards only allows students to fail and repeat one (1) course prior to Academic Dismissal. Due to SOMI’s rigorous Academic Progression standards, SOMI’s Maximum Time Frame, as measured in credit hours, is reached at 89 credit hours, or 107% of the published program length. (83 credit hours published program length * 107% = 89 credit hours). The Maximum Time Frame allowable is reached upon 89 Credits Attempted or when it becomes mathematically impossible to complete the program with 107% of the Maximum Time Frame, whichever is sooner.
• Pace of Completion — represents the rate of progress (pace) at which students must advance through their academic program to ensure program completion within the Maximum Time Frame. Students must maintain a percentage of no less than 93% when dividing cumulative Credits Earned by cumulative Credits Attempted during all terms of enrollment. For the purposes of calculating SAP, all Credits Attempted are included, regardless of Title IV Financial Aid utilization during the term of enrollment.

Impacts to SAP The table below identifies how certain credits, course work and/or grades impact the student’s Cumulative GPA (Qualitative Progress) and Maximum Time Frame (Quantitative Progress). Related policies as outlined in the Appendix should be referenced in conjunction with the table below. In the event that a grade change is effectuated within the SIS after the SAP calculation is performed for the applicable Semester, SAP will be recalculated.

*Not included until completion grade is received. Then SAP is recalculated.

**Included upon receiving a grade of "C" or better.

Failure to Meet SAP Requirements

Students who fail to meet SAP requirements, either Quantitative or Qualitative Progress, will be notified electronically via the SIS. In such an event, the communication will include Financial Aid Status and any impact to Title IV Financial Aid eligibility.