Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Cumulative GPA - Students must maintain a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) specific to their academic program.  The cumulative GPA measure includes all completed and attempted units at Cal State LA and all 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

Cumulative Pace of Completion -  Students must complete a minimum of 66.67% of cumulative coursework attempted. The cumulative pace of completion determines the pace in which a student is progressing toward program completion.  Pace is calculated by dividing the total number of credit hours completed (passed with units earned) by the total number of credit hours attempted.

Types of courses and credits included in the Pace 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.

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.

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 receive financial aid.

Students may submit an appeal. If an appeal 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 provided. 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.

Submitting a SAP Appeal for Summer 2025 
 

If you are planning to submit a SAP Appeal for Summer 2025 please visit the Forms section of the Financial Aid and Scholarships website.

Navigate to: Forms > 2024 - 2025 >  SAP Appeal. 

Please note that Summer Summer 2025 falls under the 2024-2025 Academic Year. We will not apply Summer 2025 SAP Appeals to any other academic year or term. It is your responsibility to ensure that you submit the correct SAP Appeal. 

An appeal must be based on extenuating circumstances. Supporting documentation may be requested and/or required as part of your appeal (depending on your circumstances).  Circumstances for appeals include, but are not limited to: 

• Illness, accident, or injury experienced by you or a significant person in your life.
• Death of a family member or significant person in your life.
• Divorce experienced by you or parent.
• Significant trauma in your life that impaired your emotional and/or physical health.
• Other significant unexpected and documented circumstances beyond  your control.
   

Changes in major and double majors are not viewed as extenuating circumstances, since the standard is quite generous in the time frame allowed to complete a degree.

In your appeal, you must: 

• Explain how the circumstances prevented you from meeting SAP. 
• Explain what has changed in your situation that would allow you to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress at the next evaluation. This includes detailing any action you are taking to ensure you will meet SAP standards. 

If your appeal is approved, you will be placed on Financial Aid Probation for the next semester of enrollment. If your aid was previously canceled, it will be reinstated based on funds available at that time. Therefore, your best interest is served by submitting an appeal as soon as you receive your notice.

To appeal your SAP eligibility, submit the SAP Appeal form assigned to you in the Financial Aid Student Forms Portal.

As part of your SAP Appeal, you are required to meet with your Academic Advisor to develop or update your Degree Planner in GET. You should meet with your advisor and finalize your Degree Planner before submitting your SAP Appeal to Financial Aid and Scholarships. This ensures that your academic plan is aligned with your SAP appeal and reflects a clear path to degree completion. 

Your academic progress is reviewed by Financial Aid and Scholarships at the end of each semester. If, at the end of the semester, you make progress as stipulated in your academic plan, your new SAP status will be Meets SAP.

If you are not making progress as stipulated in your academic plan, your new SAP status will change to Not Meets SAP (did not adhere to plan). You will not be eligible to receive aid unless you submit a new SAP Appeal – which must include a NEW Academic Plan.  

To submit a copy of your Degree Planner with your appeal, upload a copy via the Academic Plan Upload assigned to you in the Financial Aid Student Forms Portal.

Be sure to submit your appeal early so you can receive a timely decision, allowing you to plan accordingly. Appeals may not be accepted after the deadline has passed. Complete the online form and submit any supporting or required documents (including an academic plan) to ensure your appeal is received on time.

If you do not submit your appeal in a timely manner, and your appeal is denied after the term has started, you will be responsible for any and all costs incurred, including any costs related to a decision to withdraw from the semester.

SAP Appeal Deadlines

• Summer 25 SAP Appeal submission deadline is August 8, 2025
• Fall 25 SAP Appeal submission deadline is December 5, 2025

Approved Appeals

If your appeal is approved, you will be placed on Financial Aid Notice for your next semester of enrollment. At the conclusion of your Financial Aid Notice term, you must be meeting SAP standards in order to remain eligible for further financial aid. 

NOTE:  Receiving a grade of F, W, WU, I, NC or RD during your Financial Aid Probation semester  will most likely cause you to not meet the SAP Standards at the end of your Probation term.  

Denied Appeals

If your appeal is denied, you will not be eligible for financial aid until you are able to meet the SAP Standards your academic work in future semesters.  

The 2nd Level SAP Appeal process is available to students whose SAP Appeal was denied 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 2nd level SAP Appeal Committee’s decision is final for the duration of the academic year. The student may also regain eligibility for financial aid if their progress allows them to meet all three Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.

Notification of Status

All students are notified of the results of the Satisfactory Academic Progress evaluation – regardless of their status.  In addition, students can view their SAP status at any time in GET.