SAP Appeal Information

SAP Appeal Information

Learn who can submit a Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal, what documentation is required, how to complete the appeal process, and what happens after you submit your appeal.

What is a SAP Appeal?

A Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal  is a request to have your financial aid eligibility reconsidered after you have been placed on Financial Aid Suspension. 

Students may submit a SAP Appeal if extenuating circumstances prevented them from meeting SAP requirements. Mississippi State University students are limited to a maximum of three SAP appeals, regardless of whether the appeals are approved or denied.

Who Can Submit a SAP Appeal?

You may submit a SAP Appeal if:

• You are on Financial Aid Suspension
• Extenuating circumstances prevented you from meeting SAP requirements
• Those circumstances have been resolved or significantly improved
• You can demonstrate how you plan to successfully meet SAP requirements moving forward

Important: Submitting a SAP Appeal does not guarantee that your financial aid will be reinstated. Appeals are reviewed individually by the SAP Appeals Committee.

What Qualifies as an Extenuating Circumstance?

May Qualify

• Medical illness (physical or mental)
• Serious illness of student
• Serious accident or injury of student
• Death of immediate family member of student
• Exceeding maximum timeframe/hours to complete degree
• Other extenuating circumstances beyond student's control

Generally Does Not Qualify

• Poor time management
• Academic difficulty
• Working too many hours
• Financial hardship
• Participation in extracurricular activities
• Dissatisfaction with a course or instructor

How to Submit a SAP Appeal

Step 1: Complete the SAP Appeal eForm

Complete the SAP Appeal eForm, including your reason for appeal and all required Academic Plan sections. Review your information carefully before submitting, as you will not be able to make changes after submission. When entering course subject codes in your Academic Plan, use all capital letters.

The SAP Appeal eForm is only available during the published appeal submission period. If the form is not currently available, please review the SAP Appeal deadlines and return when the submission period opens.

Access the SAP Appeal eForm

Step 2: Attach Supporting Documentation

Attach supporting documentation (strongly recommended). Students are responsible for providing documentation that supports their appeal. Upload all supporting documents in the Notes and Attachments section before submitting your SAP Appeal.

You will not be able to add additional documents after your SAP Appeal has been submitted.

Step 3: Send eForm to Academic Advisor

Send your SAP Appeal eForm to your academic advisor by selecting “Next Recipient to Handle.” Your academic advisor must complete their section of the appeal and approve your Academic Plan before the appeal can be sent to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships Contact your academic advisor if you have questions about completing their section of the form.

If your appeal is not received by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships by the established deadline, it will be considered late and cannot be reviewed. You will remain on financial aid suspension until an approved appeal is received.

Step 4: eForm is Routed to SAP Appeal Group

Your academic advisor will complete the Academic Advisor/Official Certification section and route your SAP Appeal to the SAP Appeal Group in the Financial Aid Office for review and processing. 

Important:

• You must meet with your academic advisor before submitting your appeal.
• Submitting an appeal does not guarantee approval.
• Appeals submitted without the required approval or signature are considered incomplete and will not be reviewed.
• It is your responsibility to ensure your appeal is complete and submitted by the established deadline. Late appeals will not be accepted.
• If your academic department submits your appeal after the published deadline, it will be considered late and will not be reviewed.

Guidance for Completing Your SAP Appeal

The information below will help you complete your SAP Appeal and determine what supporting documentation you may wish to include. Read the section that applies to the reason your financial aid was suspended.

Supporting documentation is not required, but it is strongly recommended. The burden of proof rests with the student.

GPA, Pace, and Excessive Withdrawals

Your appeal should explain the extenuating circumstances that prevented you from meeting SAP requirements and describe what has changed to help you be academically successful moving forward.

Examples of extenuating circumstances include, but are not limited to:

• Medical problems (physical or mental): Describe when the condition began, how long it affected you, and whether it is now under control. Supporting documentation may include medical records or letters from a physician or licensed counselor.
• Accident or injury: Describe when the accident occurred and how it affected your academic performance. Supporting documentation may include police reports, medical records, or other relevant documentation.
• Family circumstances (divorce, separation, abuse, death, or illness): Explain your relationship to the family member(s), the timeframe of the situation, and what has changed to allow you to be successful moving forward. Supporting documentation may include medical records, police reports, death certificates, or letters from a licensed counselor.
• Military service: Include the dates and status of your military service. Supporting documentation may include military orders or discharge paperwork.

Maximum Timeframe (Maximum Hours)

Be sure to include any information that may have affected your progress, such as:

• Changing your major
• Pursuing a second degree
• Transferring credit hours from another institution
• Other circumstances that contributed to exceeding the maximum timeframe

Your appeal should also clearly explain how many semesters you need to complete your degree so the SAP Appeals Committee can evaluate your remaining academic requirements.

SAP Appeal Deadlines

SAP Appeal deadlines are established for each semester and may change from year to year.

Review the current SAP Appeal eForm and announcements from the Mississippi State University Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships for specific deadlines.

After You Submit Your Appeal

Appeal Received

Your appeal is routed to the SAP Appeals Committee for review after all required sections are complete.

Appeal is Reviewed

The SAP Appeals Committee reviews each appeal as quickly as possible. However, appeal decisions may not be available until after classes begin for the semester in which you are appealing.

The decision of the SAP Appeals Committee is final and cannot be appealed.

Important: You are responsible for paying all Mississippi State University tuition and fees while your appeal is under review, regardless of the final decision.

Check Your Appeal Status

You will be notified through your official Mississippi State University email once a decision has been made.

You can also check the status of your appeal in myState:

Banner → Students → Financial Aid and Scholarships → Financial Aid Dashboard

Your appeal status will display as one of the following:

• Received
• Incomplete
• Approved
• Denied

If Your Appeal is Approved

If your SAP Appeal is approved, you will:

• Be placed on Financial Aid Probation.
• Be eligible to receive one semester of financial aid, if you meet all other eligibility requirements.
• Be required to follow the conditions of your SAP Academic Plan, if applicable.

Students who successfully follow the requirements of their SAP Academic Plan may be eligible to receive financial aid for additional semesters.

Learn About SAP Academic Plans

If Your Appeal is Denied

If your SAP Appeal is denied:

• You will remain on Financial Aid Suspension.
• You will not be eligible to receive federal financial aid or the Sumner's Grant until you meet all applicable SAP requirements.
• Any federal financial aid or Sumner's Grant previously awarded for the appeal semester or future semesters will be canceled.

You may still wish to explore funding options through Private/Alternative Loans. These loans are not guaranteed and require a credit review. You may also explore External Scholarship opportunities.

Explore Private/Alternative Loans Explore External Scholarship Opportunites

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can submit a SAP Appeal?

Students who have been placed on Financial Aid Suspension may submit a SAP Appeal if extenuating circumstances prevented them from meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements.

What is considered an extenuating circumstance? 

Extenuating circumstances are situations beyond your control that affected your academic performance. Examples may include a serious illness or injury, the death or illness of an immediate family member, military service, or other documented circumstances.

Do I need to submit supporting documentation? 

Supporting documentation is not required, but it is strongly recommended. Documentation helps the SAP Appeals Committee better understand the circumstances described in your appeal.

When can I submit a SAP Appeal? 

The SAP Appeal eForm is only available during the published appeal submission period for each semester. Review the current appeal information for the official submission timeline.

How do I know if my SAP Appeal was received?

You can check the status of your appeal in myState under Banner → Students → Financial Aid and Scholarships → Financial Aid Dashboard.

How long does it take to receive an appeal decision? 

The SAP Appeals Committee reviews appeals as quickly as possible. Depending on when your appeal is submitted, a decision may not be available until after classes begin.

Will I receive financial aid while my appeal is being reviewed? 

No. Financial aid cannot be reinstated until your SAP Appeal has been reviewed and approved. You are responsible for paying your university charges while your appeal is under review.

What happens if my SAP Appeal is approved? 

If your appeal is approved, you will be placed on Financial Aid Probation and may receive one semester of financial aid if you meet all other eligibility requirements. You may also be required to follow a SAP Academic Plan.

What happens if my SAP Appeal is denied? 

If your appeal is denied, you will remain on Financial Aid Suspension and will not be eligible for federal financial aid until you meet the applicable SAP requirements. You may wish to explore private alternative loan options or external scholarship opportunities.

Can I submit more than one SAP Appeal? 

Students are limited to three SAP Appeals during their academic career at Mississippi State University.

Do I have to meet with my academic advisor?

Yes. You must meet with your academic advisor or academic official before submitting your SAP Appeal. Appeals that are missing the required approval or signature are considered incomplete and will not be reviewed.

What should I include in my personal statement? 

Your appeal should explain the circumstances that prevented you from meeting SAP requirements, describe what has changed since that time, and explain how you plan to be academically successful moving forward.