Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Student Financial Services (SFS) is required by federal regulations to monitor student progression toward completion of degree and certificate programs at both the undergraduate and the graduate levels. The Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standard includes a quantitative (PACE and Program Length) and qualitative (GPA-based) measure of progress.

The quantitative regulation states that you must maintain a specific pace intended to help you earn your degree within the maximum time frame. You are required to earn at least 67% of your attempted credits to ensure you earn your degree within 150% of the program's credit length. The qualitative measure requires maintaining a GPA that meets the minimum standard necessary to maintain Academic Good Standing according to Temple University policy (refer to the Undergraduate Academic Warning, Probation and Dismissal Policy information). Graduate students should refer to their college for GPA requirements.

Please review the Undergraduate Academic Warning, Probation, Dismissal Policy for details regarding GPA requirements.

Please review the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for details regarding student PACE and Maximum Time Frame.

Appeal Forms

SAP Medical Provider Form
Financial Aid Graduation Form (FAMAX)
Financial Aid Plan (FAPLAN)

Eligibility Review

Academic records are reviewed by the Office of Student Financial Services (SFS) once the Office of the University Registrar completes the end of semester processing review and grades are transcripted. This review typically begins 1-2 weeks after the final grading dates for each term.

PACE is determined by calculating the number of earned credits divided by the number of attempted credits. Program Length is determined by 150% of the student's required credits for degree completion. Students can consult the Temple University Bulletin for their individual program length. 

Students whose PACE exceeds 67% and who have not reached the 150% of the credits required for their program are considered to be making Satisfactory Academic Progress and are eligible for financial aid.

Students who are not meeting the 67% threshold for the first time are placed on Financial Aid Warning. If a student does not meet the 67% threshold for a second semester (consecutive or not), then the student is placed on Financial Aid Ineligibility beginning with the next immediate term.

Academic Recovery

According to Temple University policy, students who return to the University under the terms of Academic Recovery are not considered to be in Academic Good Standing for their first term under the Recovery contract, and are therefore ineligible for federal grant and loans, tuition remission, and institutional grants and scholarships for that semester. Students in the first term of Academic Recovery are not permitted to appeal for the reinstatement of their financial aid eligibility. 

After the first term of your Academic Recovery, students' eligibility for financial aid will be evaluated under the rules for Satisfactory Academic Progress that apply to all students. These rules require that students complete at least 67% of the overall credits they attempt, and also limit the total number of credits a student may attempt for the completion of their degree while receiving financial aid. 

Students may be eligible for private/alternative loans for the first semester under Recovery, provided they are eligible under their chosen lender's academic and credit-related requirements. More information on student loans can be found on our Educational Loans webpage.

Academic Forgiveness

Students who are readmitted to the University under Academic Forgiveness will retain their former academic progress standing. Students who enter Academic Forgiveness as ineligible have the option to appeal for financial aid. Please consult the Academic Forgiveness section of the University Bulletin.

Although a student's cumulative GPA may have been reset to 0.00 due to Academic Forgiveness, all of their attempted credits (including those no longer being used for credit by the University) must be factored into the calculation of their completion percentage. Students who are admitted under Academic Forgiveness but who do not meet the 67% threshold or the maximum time frame limit may submit an appeal.

Submitting a SAP or MAX Appeal

Students that have lost eligibility for financial aid may submit an appeal in order to regain financial aid eligibility. The SAP and MAX Appeals for the Fall and Spring are automatically opened for FAFSA-filers following the first notification of their ineligibility. Students may also open their own appeal via the SFS Dashboard. Appeals received after a published final deadline may not be considered, and incomplete appeals will be automatically closed and denied. All appeals will be considered by a committee and their decision is final. Please do not submit any documentation to the Office of Student Financial Services. All appeal documents should be uploaded to the SFS Dashboard under the appropriate task listed. 

  • The deadline to appeal for the Fall semester is September 1.
  • The deadline to appeal for the Spring semester is January 15.

Steps for Initiating an Appeal:

  1. The student should log into temple.studentforms.com.
  2. Click on the red 'Manage Requests' button in the upper right hand corner
  3. Click on the plus button for a 2022-2023 SAP or MAX Appeal - refer to your emailed notification to determine which is appropriate.
  4. Provide a brief description of the issue
  5. Complete and sign the embedded webform and submit all requested documentation.

Because of the short time period between the end of the spring semester and the start of the summer session(s), appeals for summer are not considered.

Conditions of Appeals

Failure to finalize your submission by clicking the 'Submit' button, incomplete appeal forms, failure to submit required supporting documentation, and failure to e-sign your appeal will result in an automatic denial for the current term and your appeal will be closed. 

The SFS office will make every effort possible to process appeals received by the deadline as quickly as possible so that our office can notify students of the decision before the end of the semester drop/add period (see Office of the University Registrar Academic Calendar for deadline date). However, please be aware that students may not receive a decision before the drop/add period concludes, so early submission is encouraged. All students are financially responsible for semester charges regardless of financial aid eligibility. 

Depending on the type of appeal you submit, you may be required to submit the following documents:

Re-Enrolling Students

Students who previously attended Temple and are re-enrolling are subject to the current SAP and MAX Time requirements. Prior credits attempted, earned, and transferred into Temple will be considered in the student's overall PACE and Program Length evaluations. Re-enrolling students who are ineligible for aid are encouraged to submit an appeal via the guidelines above.