As a condition of participating in the federal student aid programs, Cal State L.A. is required to evaluate the academic progress of applicants for financial aid. Cal State L.A's Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy for all financial aid applicants is provided below.
Cal State L.A's federal student aid SAP policies for students are similar, but not identical, to the university's policies for minimum academic progress. Students should review both sets of policies and ask for clarification as needed. Questions about federal student aid SAP policies should be directed to the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office; questions about the university's minimum academic progress policies should be directed to Academic Advising.
Non-financial aid recipients awarded only scholarships, graduate assistantships, veteran’s benefits, stipends (excluding Cal Grant B stipend), or student assistant earnings must meet the eligibility requirements specific to those programs.
SAP Standards
Minimum Cumulative GPA - Maintain a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) specific to your academic program.
The GPA standard takes into account your cumulative GPA and academic progress. The cumulative GPA includes and factors in all completed and attempted units at Cal State LA and any coursework from all other colleges and universities.
- Undergraduate (1st Bachelor's) = 2.0 GPA
- Post-Baccalaureate Programs (i.e. Credential) = 2.5 GPA
- Graduate Certificate, Master's & Doctorate = 3.0 GPA
Minimum Cumulative Pace of Completion - Satisfactorily complete (earn credit in) 75% of the cumulative units attempted
The Pace Standard determines the pace in which a student is progressing toward program completion. The Pace Standard is calculated by dividing the total number of credit hours completed (passed with units earned) by the total number of credit hours attempted. To meet the Pace Standard, students must satisfactorily complete 75% of all cumulative credit hours attempted.
Types of courses and credits included in the Pace Standard calculation are:
- All Cal State LA courses enrolled including courses for which a W is posted
- All transferable courses from other colleges and universities
- Repeated coursework
- Consortium coursework, if applicable
- Coursework from Study Abroad programs
Types of courses and credits not included in the Pace Standard calculation are:
- Audited courses
- Credits earned through examinations (AP, IB and other test credits)
Maximum Time Frame for Degree Completion - Complete degree or certificate program within a maximum number of attempted units equal to 150% of the units required for the specific academic program.
Students are eligible to receive financial aid for a maximum number of attempted units equal to 150% of the units required for the degree program. All attempted units at Cal State LA and transfer units are counted whether or not financial aid was received. Be aware that some federal and state programs (i.e. Pell Grants and State University Grants) have additional limitations.
- Undergraduate = 180 attempted units
- Graduate/Masters = *45 attempted units
- Post - Baccalaureate (credential) = Based on individual program unit requirements
- Ed.D (Doctor of Education = 90 attempted units
- Doctor of Audiology = 171 attempted units
*Graduate courses 5960, 5970, 5990, 5995, and 6990 (or equivalent semester courses) may be certified as full-time (12 units) with a study load of fewer than 12 units. These courses are counted towards the maximum time frame standard at their certified full-time unit level.
Second Degree: Students pursuing a Second Baccalaureate degree, Second Master’s degree at Cal State LA, or are pursuing dual programs concurrently, will have reached the maximum time frame standard at an accelerated pace. As such, students must have their SAP status and aid eligibility reviewed individually by a financial aid administrator.
Double Major or minor: The maximum time frame calculation is based only on the primary major. Additional time is not granted for students pursuing a double major or minor.
Conditions for meeting SAP
Warning Status: Students who do not meet the cumulative GPA standard and/or do not complete the number of units attempted for the first time may be placed on a financial aid “warning status” for one semester and may continue to receive financial aid for one payment period. Students who reach and/or exceed the maximum time frame standard are not eligible to receive a financial aid warning status and will be deemed ineligible to receive financial aid.
SAP Notice Status: Students who are placed on notice after having successfully appealed their ineligibility status will be reviewed at the end of the following payment period. Students on notice must meet the terms specified in their agreement. Unless otherwise stated in the agreement, all three SAP standards must be met upon completion of the notice period in order to be removed from notice status and be eligible for continued funding.
Consequences for not meeting SAP after a Warning or Notice term: Students whose performance falls short in one or more of the three SAP standards during the notice or warning period will be deemed ineligible to receiving financial aid. Students with extraordinary circumstances beyond their control may submit an appeal. Appeals for students who were already granted a notice term must include an “approved academic plan.” If an appeal that includes an academic plan is approved, the student will continue to be on notice and satisfactory academic progress will be monitored based on the details of the academic plan. Students failing to maintain satisfactory academic progress based on an approved academic plan will not be permitted to submit additional appeals until the next academic year. The student may regain eligibility for financial aid if their progress allows them to meet all three Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.
SAP Appeal Process
Students deemed ineligible to receive financial aid for not meeting satisfactory academic progress (SAP) standards and have extenuating circumstances beyond their control may submit a SAP appeal to the Financial Aid Office. The deadline to submit an appeal is 30 calendar days from the date of the SAP ineligibility communication. Appeals will be processed as received on a first come-first served basis. Students will receive notification of appeal determination by e-mail. Students awaiting a response are responsible for paying their tuition fees by the payment deadline specified in the Schedule of Classes in order to register for classes or to avoid being dropped from enrollment. If the appeal is approved, the student will be placed on notice. Students on notice must either improve their academic performance to meet all SAP standards by the end of the notice term or will need to follow the specific details of an approved Academic Plan as specified in the approval communication.
Second Level SAP Appeal Process
The Second Level SAP Appeal process is for students who were denied a SAP Appeal during the current term. Second level appeals are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Students will be provided with second level appeal submission instructions as part of their first level denial response from their Financial Aid Advisor. The second level SAP Appeal Committee’s decision is final. If the Committee rendered a decision to uphold the denial, the student is not be permitted to submit additional appeals until the next academic year. The student may also regain eligibility for financial aid if their progress allows them to meet all three Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.