Satisfactory Academic Progress

SAP Policy

This policy becomes effective with grades earned in the spring 2020 semester and for all subsequent semesters. The policy complies with updated federal regulations (CFR 668.34) effective as of July 1, 2011.

Introduction

To receive Title IV federal financial aid and institutional funds administered by the New York Institute of Technology Office of Financial Aid, or Veterans Benefits, students must maintain measurable Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward degree program completion. Federal regulations require evaluation of qualitative and quantitative measures, as well as completion of the degree objective within 150% of the normal published time frame.

NOTE: This SAP policy is separate and distinct from the Academic Probation and Suspension policy administered by the Office of the Registrar. The New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) also has its own SAP requirements, which are set forth at the end of this policy.

All enrollment periods, including those for which a student did not receive financial aid, are included in the measurement of Satisfactory Academic Progress. The student’s entire academic history will be considered when determining SAP status. This includes all transfer credits on the New York Tech transcript. Incompletes (I), Withdrawals (W), and Unofficial Withdrawals (UW) count as attempted credits but not earned credits. Withdrawn Failing (WF) and Failing (F) count as attempted and earned credits.

Students who do not meet the standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress will not be eligible for federal or institutional financial aid until they have successfully appealed their unsatisfactory academic status and can regain eligibility by meeting the standards of New York Tech's SAP policy or by following a prescribed academic plan as determined by an academic school designee.

Guidelines for Academic Progress

For financial aid purposes, an aid year at New York Tech consists of summer, fall, and spring enrollment periods. Summer begins the year, and spring concludes it. Students attending intersessions (short-term courses between the fall and spring semesters) will have those courses evaluated with spring semester progress. The measurement of Satisfactory Academic Progress is calculated at the end of each enrollment period (semester) during an aid year and status is effective with the next enrollment period (semester).

If a student changes majors or academic programs, all attempted and earned credits will be included in the qualitative, quantitative, and normal time frame measurements (no more than 150%), with the exception of those stated elsewhere in this policy.

Qualitative Standard

The qualitative component measures the quality of a student’s academic progress by his/her cumulative GPA.

Undergraduate Standard

• Must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 at the end of each semester.*

Graduate Standard

• Must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 at all times.*

*Athletic Award eligibility will continue to be governed by a signed Athletic Agreement. All other Title IV and institutional aid for athletes will be governed by the NYIT Office of Financial Aid's Satisfactory Academic Progress policy.

The required cumulative GPA is based on the total number of attempted and earned credits, including the grades of "F" (Failure) and "WF" (Withdrawn Failure). Grades of "I" (Incomplete), "UW" (Unofficial Withdrawal), and "W" (Withdrawn) are not factored into a student’s cumulative GPA.

Pace – (formerly referred to as the Quantitative Standard)

Students must meet a quantitative standard of academic progress measured as a completion rate percentage. They must successfully complete 67% of all attempted credits to graduate within 150% of the normal timeframe. This calculation is made as follows:

Successfully Completed Credits/Attempted Credits = Completion Rate (result rounded to the closest whole number, i.e., 18 / 27 = 66.67% or rounded to 67%)

For the purposes of measuring Pace, the grades of Incomplete (I), Withdrawn (W), Withdrawn Failure (WF), Unofficial Withdrawal (UW), and Failure (F) count as attempted credits but not as successfully completed credits. Accepted transfer credits are also included in this calculation, both as attempted and earned credits.

Maximum Time Frame for Degree Completion

Students must obtain a degree within 150% of the normal time frame for degree completion. For example:

• For a baccalaureate program requiring 130 credits, a student must obtain a degree within 195 attempted credits (130 x 1.50 = 195).
• For an associate degree program of 60 credits, a student must obtain a degree within 90 attempted credits (60 x 1.50 = 90).
• For a graduate program requiring 36 credits, a student must obtain a degree within 54 attempted credits (36 x 1.50 = 54).
• The maximum time frame is based upon the student-degree classification in New York Tech’s academic records.

Effects of Remedial, ESLI, and Repeated Courses

Remedial and/or ESLI coursework does not count toward degree requirements. Remedial courses are counted as both attempted and earned credits. English as a Second Language (ESLI) courses are not counted in hours attempted or earned, but they are counted towards enrollment (full-time, 3/4 time, etc.).

Grades of “D” or better in repeated courses will be counted as credits earned only once. All course repeats will count as credits attempted and be used in the quantitative and maximum time frame components of the SAP policy.

Consequences of Failure to Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress Financial Aid Warning

This status is assigned to a student who fails to make Satisfactory Academic Progress at the end of an enrollment period. A student who fails to meet SAP (excluding maximum time frame) at the end of an enrollment period is no longer eligible for financial aid. However, for the first term of ineligibility, a student is automatically placed in a Financial Aid Warning status, not to exceed one enrollment period.

• During the warning period, a student may receive financial aid despite the determination that the student is not meeting SAP standards.
• A student must meet SAP standards by the end of the warning period. If not, financial aid eligibility will be suspended until a student regains SAP or files an appeal.
• For denied appeals, a student must pay for all enrollment periods after the warning period through personal or private funds. A student will regain eligibility when SAP standards are met.

Financial Aid Probation

This status is assigned to a student who fails to make Satisfactory Academic Progress, has successfully appealed, and can meet minimum SAP standards by the end of an enrollment period. This student has had eligibility for aid reinstated and can receive financial aid for one enrollment period.

For students who have successfully appealed but cannot meet minimum SAP standards by the end of one enrollment period, an individual academic plan may be developed in conjunction with an academic school designee. These students will be evaluated and must demonstrate progress each period, as required, in a maximum of two enrollment periods (beyond the “warning” term).

Appeal Process

Extenuating circumstances may occur during an enrollment period and impact a student’s ability to meet SAP standards including, but not limited to:

• Personal injury or illness
• Death of an immediate family member
• Military deployment
• Active duty deployment
• Other unexpected extenuating circumstances beyond a student’s control

In all cases, the circumstances must be sufficiently documented.

If extenuating circumstances occur and a student wishes to appeal his/her status, a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form must be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid. A student must meet with the appropriate academic school designee to discuss and document the appeal. The academic school designee will recommend whether the student’s eligibility should be reinstated.

• The appeal must include appropriate documentation of the circumstances that led to it and how a student will demonstrate successful academic progress at the next evaluation.
• If a student is able to meet the SAP policy standards within one enrollment period, the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form and its documentation will be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid. The SAP Appeals Committee will review the appeal and make a final determination.
• If a student will require more than one enrollment period to become compliant with SAP policy standards, an academic plan may be developed by the academic school designee, specifying the coursework and grades necessary to become compliant each period within a maximum of two enrollment periods.
• The SAP Appeals Committee will review progress at the end of each enrollment period. If a student is not meeting the terms of an academic plan, financial aid eligibility will be suspended until the student regains SAP.
• An academic plan to meet SAP policy standards must not exceed two additional enrollment periods.
• Students will be granted up to two appeals during their entire academic program.
• As a result of a change of major or academic program change, a student may not complete a degree objective within 150% of the normal time frame. If this occurs and a student wishes to appeal the suspension of financial aid eligibility, a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form must be submitted with an academic plan approved by an academic school designee that identifies remaining coursework and a projected graduation date. Extensions of the maximum time frame may not exceed two additional enrollment terms. Extensions of time frame will not be granted to students who have less than the required cumulative GPA or less than a 67% completion rate at the time of appeal.
• Incomplete appeal forms will not be reviewed.

Final decisions will be made by the SAP Appeals Committee. Evaluations and decisions are based on the documented information provided, the circumstances leading to the appeal, and the academic plan, if required. Students will be notified of the committee’s decision by regular mail and email, and the decision of the SAP Appeals Committee is final.

If an appeal is denied, a student is no longer eligible to receive financial aid from New York Tech until the student becomes compliant with SAP policy standards.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards – Comprehensive Transitional Programs (VIP)

Students enrolled in a Comprehensive Transition Program through the Vocational Independence Program must also meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards. Unlike traditional credit hour programs, progress for students in this program is measured in hours attended (clock hours) and weeks completed. Student must also meet minimum CGPA requirements. The VIP Program Coordinator completes the required calculation and results are submitted to the FA Department. All students must meet the standards of Satisfactory Progress to maintain eligibility for Federal Student Aid.

Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) Satisfactory Academic Progress

New York Tech is responsible for implementing standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress to maintain eligibility for New York State’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).

The standards that apply to TAP and other New York state awards require recipients to maintain a steady rate of progress toward a degree and to earn a prescribed academic average. Standards affect all students who receive TAP and other New York state awards. Additional information on Satisfactory Academic Progress may be found at the Office of Registrar and the Enrollment Services Center. Additionally, the chart below demonstrates minimum requirements and can also be found at the NY State HESC website.

Program: Baccalaureate Semester Based Program Chart

Program: Baccalaureate Semester Based Program Chart

Program: Baccalaureate Semester Based Program Chart

Program: Associate Degree Semester Based Program Chart

TAP Waivers

A one-time waiver may be granted to the recipient of state financial assistance who fails to maintain Pursuit of Program or make Satisfactory Academic Progress. A student must initiate the request for the waiver through New York Tech's Office of Student Life at deanofstudents@nyit.edu and must be able to document one of three reasons for the request: death in a student’s family, serious illness of a student, or other mitigating circumstances beyond a student’s control. Approval of the waiver is not automatic. After a careful review of documentation, a student will be notified by email as to whether the one-time waiver will be granted.

For more detailed and complete information on the waiver and other requirements, review the Commissioner's Guidelines at Appendix C: Commissioner's Guidelines on Good Academic Standing C-Average Requirement: Questions and Answers.