Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Federal regulations require that colleges and universities evaluate satisfactory academic progress (SAP) to determine your eligibility to receive financial assistance. SAP standards are defined using both quantitative and qualitative measures as well as a maximum time frame. Below are details about those measures, and additional information is at oakvalley.edu/SAP.

Quantitative Measure

As a full-time student, you must complete a minimum of 12 units per semester (24 units per year) to maintain your financial aid. You are provided 150% of time to complete your degree on a full-time basis, attempting a maximum of 192 units over 12 semesters using Federal Financial Aid.

Qualitative Measure

You must achieve a minimum 2.0 GPA each semester to maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP). If you receive less than a 2.0 in a semester, you will be placed on Academic Probation.

As a first semester freshman, you may be placed on Academic Probation for falling below 2.0 before the end of the semester. This allows the Dean to initiate measures to improve your performance before the end of the semester.

If you are placed on Academic Probation, you must raise your GPA to 2.0 or above the following semester or you will be placed on Suspension.

You may petition the Academic Review Board (ARB) to appeal a penalty or request reinstatement (oakvalley.edu/sapform). In order for the petition to be considered, you must identify the cause for the poor performance and articulate how you will improve.

If you are found guilty of student conduct or academic integrity violation, including violation of the Honor Code, you may be placed on probation, suspension, or dismissal.

Evaluation Periods

Financial Aid monitors SAP three times a year (after each term). Your entire academic history is considered when determining SAP status—not just semesters in which you receive financial aid.

Maximum Time Frame for Completion (Time Limits)

You have seven years from your start date to complete your degree program, inclusive of any semester(s) you take an approved leave of absence. Per the policy above, you may complete your degree by attempting a total of 192 units over 150% of the allotted full-time schedule, or 12 semesters at full-time status. Although the 12-uni requirement for full-time registration is the acceptable minimum standard to receive financial assistance, you must complete an average of 16 academic units per semester in order to graduate within the 100% allotted time designated for standard degree completion.

Repeating Courses

You may repeat a course only if you have not already earned a grade of A, B, C, I, or P, except where you need to fulfill a graduation requirement. You may also not repeat a course if your transcript bears two or more entries with grades of D, F, or NP. You may appeal the ARB, if necessary. Students are required to pay an additional tuition fee for courses that must be retaken.