Financial Aid - Satisfactory Academic Progress
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Satisfactory Academic Progress

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Satisfactory Academic Progress, or SAP for short, relates to the requirements students must maintain to remain eligible for federal and state aid. Click the links below to learn more about Satisfactory Academic Progress, Tech's SAP Policy, Financial Aid Termination, and submitting appeals!

What is SAP?  Financial Aid Termination   The SAP Appeal Process   SAP Policy


What is SAP?

All students must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress in their selected course of study to continue receiving their eligible federal aid offers, which include Title IV funds such as the Federal Pell Grant and federal student loans, as well as state awards such as the HOPE Scholarship and Tennessee Student Assistance Award (TSAA). Federal and state regulations require that Tennessee Tech University's Office of Financial Aid maintains a reasonable standard of academic progress for the purpose of awarding federal and state aid. The Office of Financial Aid complies with this requirement by monitoring the following for all Tennessee Tech students:

  • their inclusive combined cumulative grade point average (GPA)

  • pass-rate, also termed Pace of Progress (PACE)

  • total attempted hours for degree (MAX)

The Office of Financial Aid evaluates SAP at the end of each spring semester for continuing and transfer students who have submitted a FAFSA application for the upcoming school year. Students, including incoming freshmen who've previously enrolled in dual enrollment courses, that submit their FAFSA are also evaluated to make sure they are meeting SAP. Students must maintain the following GPA, PACE, and MAX requirements to maintain SAP and continue receiving their eligible federal/state aid:

  1. GPA: Students must remain in good academic standing with the university by following the below criteria:

    • maintain a 1.6 GPA for 0 - 29 earned hours

    • maintain a 1.8 GPA for 29.01 - 50 earned hours

    • maintain a 2.0 GPA for >50 earned hours

  2. PACE: Students must complete and pass at least 67% of all attempted courses. This calculation includes all previously attempted courses, even ones attempted at a previously enrolled college or for dual enrollment. Academic Fresh Start does not refresh your attempted hour total.

  3. MAX: Federal law allows students to receive Title IV assistance up to 150% of the program's published length. For example, most undergraduates who are in a 120 credit hour program may receive financial aid only up to 180 total attempted credit hours (120 x 150%= 180). Students who have reached 150 hours or more are required to prove that they can complete their degree within their allowable attempted hour time frame.

For Graduates Only: For GPA, PACE, and Max Time Frame, graduate students must meet the academic requirements set forth in the Graduate Catalog as applicable to their program.

Students who do not meet one of the three above requirements when evaluated at the end of any given spring semester are placed on Financial Aid Termination and must submit a SAP Appeal to potentially regain their aid for the upcoming semester.


Financial Aid Termination

When a student does not meet Satisfactory Academic Progress they are placed on Financial Aid Termination. A student placed on Financial Aid Termination cannot utilize their eligible federal or state aid until they either return to 'Good Standing' by meeting the SAP requirements for future semesters or submit a SAP Appeal for review that is then approved. Students who are placed on FA Termination due to MAX Time Frame can only potentially regain their federal/state aid by submitting an appeal for review.

Being placed on Financial Aid Termination only affects a student's financial aid eligibility - it does not affect a student's enrollment or registration status.

Students placed on FA Termination receive an email notification from the Office of Financial Aid titled "TTU Financial Aid Information" that directs them to Eagle Online to view their Financial Aid Termination status - selecting the status redirects students to the Satisfactory Academic Progress webpage to learn more about Financial Aid Termination and submit a SAP Appeal.

If you are not sure why you have been placed on FA Termination, you can view your inclusive combined GPA, PACE, and attempted hour total in Eagle Online by selecting Student - Student Records - GPA and reference the above Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements. You can also email financialaid@tntech.edu if you have any questions about your FA Termination status. 


The SAP Appeal Process

Students placed on FA Termination who wish to continue using their aid can complete and submit a SAP Appeal for review. A student's SAP status determines what documentation they must submit with their SAP Appeal for review. Select the banners below to learn more about what documentation you must attach to your appeal, based on your FA Termination status, and follow the provided links to learn more about the SAP Appeal Process. 

COMPLETING THE FORM  Important Information  Approved Appeals  Denied Appeals

  • FA Termination for GPA or PACE

    Requirements for students placed on FA Termination due to not meeting GPA or PACE standards vary depending on how many appeals a student has previously submitted. 

    FOR FIRST APPEAL

    1. Access the digital SAP Appeal form and insert all information requested, including the semester you wish to appeal.

    2. When prompted, write a personal statement that addresses previous semesters and lists any extenuating circumstances that may have affected your academic standing.

    3. When prompted, explain what has changed in your situation and the steps you have taken and will continue to take to ensure that you will successfully complete all current and future classes.

    4. Submit the appeal for review and monitor your account for updates.

    FOR SUBSEQUENT APPEALS:

    1. Access the digital SAP Appeal form and insert all information requested, including the semester you wish to appeal.

    2. When prompted, write a personal statement that specifically addresses your previous semester and any extenuating circumstances that may have contributed to your renewed FA Termination status. Listing circumstances from previous appeals may not be considered.

    3. When prompted, explain what has changed in your situation and the steps you have taken and will continue to take to ensure that you will successfully complete all current and future classes.

    4. Attach official supporting documentation (doctor's notes, police/medical reports, bills, obituaries/death certificates, etc.) that corroborates the information provided in your personal statement. In lieu of official documentation, letters of support from advisors, professors, or employers are accepted.

    5. Attach an advisor approved and signed Academic Plan that includes the following:

      • a list of planned courses for the next two semesters minimum

      • a list of steps student plans to implement moving forward for success, as discussed with advisor

    6. Submit the appeal for review and monitor your account for updates

  • FA Termination for MAX Time Frame

    As stated previously, students who reach 150 attempted hours are placed on FA Termination and must prove that they can complete their degree/degrees within their allotted time frame. Allotted time frame is determined by required credit hours for degree x 150%. For example, 120 required hours x 150% = 180, which is the student's allotted time frame. If if is determined that you cannot complete your degree within your allotted time frame, you will lose access to your federal and state aid. 

    Requirements for students placed on FA Termination due to MAX Time Frame vary depending on how many appeals a student has previously submitted. 

    FOR FIRST MAX TIME FRAME APPEAL:

    1. Access the digital SAP Appeal form and insert all information requested, including the semester you wish to appeal and expected graduation date.

    2. When prompted, write a personal statement that addresses previous semesters and lists any extenuating circumstances that may have contributed to your MAX status.

    3. When prompted, explain what has changed in your situation and the steps you have taken and will continue to take to ensure that you will successfully complete all current and future classes.

    4. Attach an advisor approved and signed Graduation Plan that includes the following:

      • expected graduation date

      • a list of remaining courses/credit hours needed to complete degree

      • a list of previously completed courses/credit hours that do not count towards degree and may therefore be excluded from attempted hour total for appeal purposes

    5. Submit the appeal for review and monitor your account for updates.

    FOR SUBSEQUENT MAX TIME FRAME APPEALS:

    1. Access the digital SAP Appeal form and insert all information requested, including the semester you wish to appeal and expected graduation date.

    2. When prompted, write a personal statement that specifically addresses your previous semester and any extenuating circumstances that may have contributed to your renewed FA Termination status. 

    3. When prompted, explain what has changed in your situation and the steps you have taken and will continue to take to ensure that you will successfully complete all current and future classes.

    4. Attach official supporting documentation (doctor's notes, police/medical reports, bills, obituaries/death certificates, etc.) that corroborates the information provided in your personal statement. In lieu of official documentation, letters of support from advisors, professors, or employers are accepted.

    5. Attach an updated advisor approved and signed Graduation Plan that includes the following:

      • expected graduation date

      • a list of remaining courses/credit hours needed to complete degree

      • a list of previously completed courses/credit hours that do not count towards degree and may therefore be excluded from attempted hour total for appeal purposes

    6. Submit the appeal for review and monitor your account for updates.

    Please note that an updated Graduation Plan is required in subsequent MAX Time Frame appeals. Outdated or previously submitted plans are not acceptable and will lead to your appeal being returned to you for revision.

  • FA Termination for MAX Time Frame, Additional Bachelors

    Students seeking an additional bachelors that are placed on FA Termination for MAX Timeframe must also submit a SAP Appeal with the appropriate documentation for review. When submitting an appeal, please follow these steps:

    1. Access the digital SAP Appeal form and insert all information requested, including the semester you wish to appeal, expected graduation date, and additional bachelor's status.

    2. When prompted, write a personal statement that specifically addresses your status as a 2nd degree seeking student and planned graduation date. 

    3. When prompted, list the steps you have taken and will continue to take to ensure that you will successfully complete all current and future classes.

    4. Attach an advisor approved Graduation Plan that contains the following:

      • expected graduation date

      • the hours required to complete your 2nd degree

      • a list of remaining hours needed to complete your 2nd degree

    5. Submit the appeal for review and monitor your account for updates.

    Once your appeal is received, the committee will create a new allowable time frame for you based on the following calculation: required hours for 2nd degree x 150% + previously attempted hours for 1st degree = NEW MAX TIME FRAME. The committee will then add your attempted hour total for your first degree and the required hours for your 2nd degree to determine if you can complete your 2nd degree within the newly calculated time frame. 

    If you are placed on FA Termination again after your initial appeal that determines your new time frame, you will be required to submit a new appeal according to the instructions found under the FA Termination for MAX Time Frame banner, in addition to an updated Graduation Plan.

Completing the SAP Appeal Form

For students to potentially regain access to their aid, they must complete and submit the SAP Appeal form for review. The Office of Financial Aid uses a digital SAP Appeal form for review purposes.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE SAP APPEAL FORM

Students who wish to have their appeal reviewed by the August 19th, 2025 Payment/Confirmation deadline for Fall 2025 should submit their appeal form no later than August 1st, 2025. The final date to submit an appeal for Fall 2025 is October 24th, the last day students may drop a course with a "W" Grade.

 

Dynamic Form iconWhile working on your SAP Appeal, you can save your progress and return to the form later by logging into Dynamic Forms through Tech Express and selecting the Pending/Draft Forms option on your account. Once you submit your appeal for review, you will lose access to the appeal in Dynamic unless the review committee returns it to you for revisions. If you wish to add additional documentation or amend your statements after submitting your appeal, you can email financialaid@tntech.edu and request its return so you can make the desired edits. Please note, however, that if your appeal has already been reviewed and processed, it cannot be returned to you for corrections. If you cannot access the Dynamic Form application through your Tech Express account, please contact IT's Help Desk at helpdesk@tntech.edu and request they add the Dynamic QuickLink to your account. 

Once your appeal is submitted, please allow up to 14 business days for review and processing. Although students may submit appeals after the start of a semester up to that semester's final drop date, students who wish to utilize their aid to help pay their balance should submit their appeal at least 20 business days prior to that semester's start date. 

To check your appeal's status, log in to Eagle Online and:
1. Select "Financial Aid"
2. Select “Eligibility” and enter the correct Aid Year when prompted
3. Select "Academic Progress" to see the status of your appeal.


Important SAP Appeal Information

Below you'll find important information that you should consider and understand before and after submitting your SAP Appeal for review. Please read all information provided carefully. For questions, contact financialaid@tntech.edu

  • Required Documentation

    If you are submitting an appeal that requires additional documentation (Academic Plan, Graduation Plan, official documents pertaining to extenuating circumstances), make sure you attached the correct documents before submitting your appeal. Appeals that do not include the requested documentation or contain documentation that is not relevant to status will be returned to students for revision. Continued resubmission of an appeal that does not fulfill requirements may lead to denial. For students submitting documentation who need to attach multiple supporting documents, you must first combine the files into one document before attaching to your appeal. To learn what documentation you should submit with your appeal, consult the appropriate dropdown related to your SAP status above.

  • Extenuating Circumstances

    Students who submit appeals for GPA, PACE, MAX, or any combination thereof are required to list any extenuating circumstances that may have affected their academic performance or led to a protracted length for degree completion. Students who have previously submitted appeals must submit supporting documentation (doctor's notes, police reports, bills, obituaries, etc.) that relate to their extenuating circumstance. Additionally, students cannot use the same extenuating circumstance for subsequent appeals unless that student submits sufficient documentation that provides a new or updated perspective pertaining to the extenuating circumstance. Students whose appeals continue to rely on similar extenuating circumstances and do not relay an improvement of or change to that circumstance in their appeal may receive a denial.

  • Semester Appeal Limit

    In general, students can only submit one appeal for the semester they are appealing, although the appeal may be revised as needed, based on feedback from the review committee. Additionally, students can request appeals be returned to them if they'd like to make amendments or attach additional supporting documentation by emailing financialaid@tntech.edu.

    In certain cases, students may also have the option to appeal a denial decision. Please consult the SAP Policy for more information.

  • Incomplete Grades

    Students that have been placed on Financial Aid Termination and have received an Incomplete Grade (I) for a previous semester cannot submit a SAP appeal for review until the Incomplete is updated to an official letter grade (A-F) or retroactively withdraw from the course. The review committee cannot review an appeal from a student with an Incomplete. Student's on FA Termination who have received an 'I' should reach out to that course's professor for further action. Students who wish to retroactively withdraw from the incomplete course can submit a Request for Exception to University Requirement form to the Registrar's Office.

  • Withdrawals

    Students who have withdrawn from or plan to withdraw from a course or courses with a 'W' should note that withdrawals do affect PACE status and are still counted towards a student's attempted hour total. Additionally, a student who withdraws from a course or courses after their SAP Appeal is approved for a semester may be placed back on the FA Termination for the subsequent semester.


Approved Appeals

Students whose appeals are approved are placed on a Financial Aid Plan and can continue to utilize their aid as long as they meet the requirements of their Plan for future semesters. Once placed on a Plan, a student's academic standing is reviewed each semester to confirm that they are meeting the requirements of their Plan. As long as requirements are met, students will remain on their Plan until they are either placed back in Good Standing by meeting all SAP requirements or they graduate. Students who do not meet their Plan requirements will be placed back on FA Termination and will have to submit a new appeal to potentially continue receiving their aid. 

Approved students receive a notification from the Office of Financial Aid that includes the stipulations of their Financial Aid Plan, notes and suggestions from the review committee, and instructions on how to agree to their Plan in Eagle Online. Eligible aid awards/offers will not post to a student's account until they accept their Plan in Eagle Online.

In general, students placed on a Financial Aid Plan are required to successfully complete a minimum of 75% of all attempted courses each semester, as well as receive a grade of 'C' or better in each course completed. Failure to complete these requirements while on a Plan will result in being placed back on FA Termination for the following semester.


Denied Appeals

Students whose appeals are denied remain on Financial Aid Termination for the relevant semester and cannot utilize their federal/state aid offers for that semester. If your appeal is denied, you'll receive an email notification from the Office of Financial Aid that explains your denial status and includes notes from the committee explaining their denial decision. Students may submit a new SAP Appeal for the subsequent semester once the semester they're denied aid concludes and grades are finalized. Please note, however, that submitting an appeal for the subsequent semester does not guarantee automatic approval.

For MAX Time Frame Students: If, after the submission of your appeal, it is determined that you cannot complete your degree within the allowable MAX Time Frame, you will lose access to your eligible federal/state aid for all remaining semesters. Therefore, before submitting your appeal for review, make sure you consult with your advisor and include all required documentation in your appeal. Learn more about MAX Time Frame requirements by consulting the dropdown related to your MAX Time Frame status above.

In certain cases, students have the option to appeal a denial decision received by the committee. Please consult the SAP Policy for more information about appealing a review decision and all requirements related to appealing a decision.

A denied appeal affects your federal/state aid eligibility only. Students may utilize Alternative Loans through a private lender as an alternate source of funding for their education. Additionally, students may re-establish their federal/state aid eligibility by meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements. If a student re-establishes their eligibility, they must contact the Office of Financial Aid at financialaid@tntech.edu to request a confirmation and reinstatement of their federal/state aid.


SAP Policy

Established by Tennessee Tech University's Office of Financial per regulations designated by the federal and state governments, our Satisfactory Academic Policy outlines the reasonable standards of academic progress for the purpose of awarding financial assistance under federal Title IV programs and Tennessee Student Assistance Awards. To learn more about the SAP process and our SAP standards, please read Tech's SAP Policy:

View the SAP Policy (PDF)

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