When a student becomes ineligible for financial aid due to failure to meet SAP standards, an opportunity is given to appeal for further financial aid consideration.  A student may file a SAP Appeal  (available on MyUI) on the basis of:

• death of a relative
• injury or illness of the student
• other special circumstances (such as difficult transition to UI, family issues, legal troubles, work or budget problems, etc.)

SAP Appeal Deadlines:  For the fall and spring semesters, SAP appeals must be submitted by the first Friday of classes.  For the summer session, SAP appeals must be submitted by June 15.

Appeals are considered on an individual basis.  Depending on the nature of the appeal, the number of appeals the student has filed, and/or the student’s academic record, additional documentation may be required of the student before the appeal can be accepted.  For example, the student may be asked to provide supporting documentation from a doctor, counselor, etc.  Appeals are automatically denied if the student has been reported as not attending or receiving a grade below a C- in at least one class at midterm.

Completed SAP appeals will be reviewed within 15 business days.  The student will be notified by UI email if the appeal is accepted or denied. If the email is returned undeliverable, a letter will be mailed to the student’s current residing address as listed in MyUI. Students should keep UI email and current residing addresses up to date.

Please note: Up to three appeals may be accepted. Per federal financial aid regulations, appeals are not automatically accepted and may be denied based on failure to maintain the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards set forth at the University of Iowa.

SAP Probation

A student is placed on SAP probation after a SAP appeal has been filed and accepted.  Probation terms are generally one semester in length.  The student is given specific requirements that must be met in order to maintain financial aid eligibility in the future.  If SAP probationary requirements are not met within the probation term, the student will again become ineligible for financial aid and may need to file another SAP appeal.  SAP probation requirements will generally include:

• Minimum Pace Requirement--The minimum pace requirement is 67%.

Completed Semester Hours (grades of A, B, C, D, S or P)

divided by

Attempted Semester Hours (completed hours plus hours with grades of F, N, U, W, O or I)

Pace Example: 

16 ÷ 24 = .67 (67 %)

• Minimum GPA Requirement--The minimum GPA requirement will be determined on a student-by-student basis and will be specified in the SAP appeal acceptance email or letter.