What is Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)?
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is the set of standards students must meet to remain eligible for financial aid. Federal regulations require students to maintain SAP to be eligible for federal financial aid. These regulations also require us to evaluate a student's academic progress at regular intervals to ensure they are successfully progressing toward completing their degree program.
Who is Required to Meet SAP Standards?
SAP requirements apply to students receiving financial aid, including:
- Federal grants
- Federal student loans
- Federal work-study
- State financial aid programs
- Institutional scholarships, if applicable
Meeting the academic requirements for your degree program does not automatically mean you are meeting SAP requirements for financial aid.
SAP Standards at Mississippi State University
Qualitative Standard: Grade Point Average (GPA)
The qualitative standard measures a students academic performance through their cumulative GPA. The MSU cumulative grade point average listed below applies to all students enrolled at Mississippi State University.
| Classification | Earned Hours | MSU Cumulative GPA |
| Freshman | 29 or fewer semester hours | 1.6 |
| Sophomore | 30-59 semester hours | 1.8 |
| Junior | 60-89 semester hours | 2.0 |
| Senior | 90+ semester hours | 2.0 |
| Graduate (Masters) | 3.0 | |
| Graduate (Doctoral) | 3.0 |
Students must maintain the required cumulative GPA to remain eligible for financial aid. Students who do not meet the GPA requirement at the time of the SAP evaluation will lose financial aid eligibility. Eligibility can be regained after the required eligibility standards are met.
Quantitative Standards
The quantitative standard measures how successfully a student completes the courses they attempt. At Mississippi State University, students must meet the following quantitative standards.
Maximum Time Frame (Hours):
Students are expected to complete the requirements for their degree within a reasonable timeframe. At Mississippi State University, the maximum number of hours a student is allowed to attempt for a first bachelor's degree program is 150% of the minimum number of credit hours required to complete their degree. For example, if a degree requires 120 credit hours for graduation, the maximum timeframe allowed is 180 attempted credit hours (120 x 150%). The Mississippi State University Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships uses an average of 120 credit hours to determine maximum time frame eligibility.
All attempted credits are included in this limit, including coursework taken at Mississippi State University, remedial or developmental courses, pass/fail courses, and transfer credits accepted by MSU.
Students who exceed the maximum timeframe for their program are no longer eligible for financial aid. Federal regulations also state that a student becomes ineligible for financial aid whenever it becomes mathematically impossible to complete their degree program without exceeding the maximum time frame.
Completion Rate (Pace):
Students must successfully complete at least 67% of all attempted credit hours to maintain financial aid eligibility. Completion rate (pace) is calculated by dividing earned credit hours by attempted credit hours.
Students who do not meet the 67% requirement at the time of SAP evaluation will lose financial aid eligibility. Eligibility may be regained once the 67% completion rate is met and all other eligibility standards are met.
Withdrawals:
Withdrawal hours are assigned when a student withdraws from a course after the drop period. Excessive withdrawals or dropped courses indicate a lack of progress toward degree completion. Students may not exceed a total of 30 credit hours of “W” grades earned at Mississippi State University.
Students who exceed the allowable withdrawal limit at the time of SAP evaluation will lose financial aid eligibility. If all other eligibility standards are met, eligibility may only be regained through a successful SAP appeal.
Enrollment Hours:
Many financial aid programs require students to be enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours) each semester to remain eligible for aid.
If you receive federal financial aid that requires at least half-time enrollment, you must remain enrolled in at least 6 credit hours through the end of the add/drop period for the fall and spring semesters. Dropping below 6 credit hours before the add/drop deadline may result in the loss of your financial aid eligibility.
If you lose eligibility because you did not meet this enrollment requirement, you may only regain eligibility by submitting a successful SAP Appeal, provided you meet all other eligibility requirements.
The information above provides a general overview of SAP requirements at Mississippi State University. GPA standards, completion rate requirements, maximum timeframe limits, and SAP statuses vary by degree level. For complete details and requirements specific to your degree level, please review the full SAP policy.
What Happens if I Do Not Meet SAP Requirements?
Mississippi State students who do not meet SAP standards may be placed into one of the following statuses:
Financial Aid Suspension
Financial Aid Suspension is assigned to students who do not meet the minimum SAP standards. Students on suspension are no longer eligible to receive financial aid until they meet the required standards or have an approved SAP appeal.
Financial Aid Probation
Financial Aid Probation is assigned to students who fail to meet SAP standards at the end of an evaluation period and subsequently receive approval of a SAP appeal. Students on probation may continue receiving financial aid while meeting the conditions outlined in their appeal decision.
SAP Appeal
Students who are placed on Financial Aid Suspension for failing to meet SAP requirements may request reinstatement of their financial aid eligibility by submitting a SAP Appeal Form.
Mississippi State University students are limited to a maximum of three SAP appeals, regardless of whether the appeals are approved or denied.
Need to appeal your SAP status?
Learn about the SAP appeal process, documentation guidelines, and important deadlines.
SAP Academic Plan
A SAP Academic Plan is a structured, written agreement between a student and Mississippi State University that outlines the specific steps the student must follow to regain and maintain eligibility for financial aid.
It is typically used when a student is on Financial Aid Probation after an approved SAP Appeal.
Need to complete a SAP Academic Plan?
Learn about SAP Academic Plans
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)?
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is the academic standard students must meet to remain eligible for financial aid.
Can I check my SAP status?
Yes. You can check your SAP status in myState under Banner → Students → Financial Aid and Scholarships → Financial Aid Dashboard → Satisfactory Academic Progress.
What happens if I do not meet SAP requirements?
If you do not meet SAP requirements, you may be placed on Financial Aid Suspension. Students on suspension are not eligible for financial aid unless they regain eligibility or have an approved appeal.
What is Financial Aid Suspension?
Financial Aid Suspension is a status assigned when a student does not meet SAP requirements. Students in this status are not eligible for financial aid until they meet SAP standards or have an approved SAP appeal.
Why was I placed on Financial Aid Suspension?
A student may be placed on Financial Aid Suspension for failing to meet at least one of the SAP policy standards listed below:
- Minimum GPA: Your cumulative Mississippi State GPA falls below the required minimum
- Completion Rate: You fail to successfully complete at least 67% of all cumulative credit hours attempted
- Excessive Withdrawals: You exceed the maximum number of withdraw hours allowed under the Mississippi State SAP policy
- Maximum Timeframe: You do not complete your degree within the maximum number of attempted credit hours allowed for your program
- Enrollment Hours: You drop below the minimum enrollment hours required to maintain your financial aid eligibility
Can I receive financial aid while I am on Financial Aid Suspension?
No. You cannot receive financial aid if you are placed on financial aid suspension.
Can I appeal my SAP status?
Yes. Students placed on Financial Aid Suspension may submit a SAP Appeal Form if they experienced extenuating circumstances that affected their academic performance.
How do I regain financial aid eligibility?
At Mississippi State University, SAP is evaluated once each year at the end of the spring semester. If you are placed on Financial Aid Suspension because you did not meet SAP requirements, you may regain eligibility for financial aid in one of the following ways:
- Meet all SAP requirements: Correct the issue(s) that caused you to fall below SAP standards and meet Mississippi State's overall SAP policy requirements
- Submit a successful SAP Appeal: If you appeal is approved, you will be placed on Financial Aid Probation. If you are otherwise eligible, you may receive financial aid for one additional semester while working to meet SAP requirements.
Important: Some SAP requirements cannot be satisfied simply by meeting the minimum SAP standards. Please view the Mississippi State University SAP Policy for detailed information.
What is Financial Aid probation?
Financial aid probation is a temporary status that allows you to continue receiving financial aid after a successful SAP appeal. While on probation, you must meet the conditions of your approved appeal or academic plan to remain eligible for financial aid.
What is a SAP Academic Plan?
A SAP Academic Plan is a structured, written agreement between a student and Mississippi State University that outlines the specific steps the student must follow to regain and maintain eligibility for financial aid.
Can I receive financial aid while I am on financial aid probation?
Yes. If your SAP Appeal is approved, you may be granted aid for your probationary semester (if otherwise eligible).