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Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy
In order to comply with the State of Ohio and federal regulations under Section 668.16 (e), Franklin University has established standards for measuring satisfactory academic progress for students receiving Title IV or State assistance. All students are measured according to these standards at the end of each trimester, which constitutes a payment period {§668.34(a)(3)(ii)}. These standards contain both qualitative and quantitative components. SAP is defined separately for undergraduate, graduate, doctorate and professional students.
Undergraduate Students SAP
Students receiving federal Title IV and State aid must make satisfactory academic progress (SAP) in order to maintain their eligibility for financial assistance. SAP is evaluated at the end of each trimester attended, including the Summer term. Students enrolled in the Community College Alliance program that have a processed contract are required to submit all transcribed grades from the host institution. Failure to submit transcripts will prevent the Financial Aid office from completing the SAP process and no subsequent financial aid will disburse until receipt of such grades. To meet SAP, you must meet or exceed minimum academic performance levels in both qualitative and quantitative standards each trimester. All attempted Franklin credits are included in the qualitative component of SAP, excluding remedial coursework, previous courses that have been repeated, and withdrawn courses. All attempted credits are included in the quantitative component of SAP, including transfer credit, repeated coursework, remedial coursework, and withdrawals. Both components also include courses a student takes for which they did not receive Title IV or State aid. SAP will be re-evaluated for qualitative and quantitative components of SAP for courses that are assigned an Incomplete grade at the end of the term, once the instructor submits the final grade.
Qualitative Standards
Grade Point Average (GPA) - You must maintain a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) according to the following chart. The CGPA is based on all attempted Franklin hours, even if you change your major/program before you complete your first program. The CGPA does not include transfer hours, remedial coursework or withdrawn courses. A repeated course is included in the CGPA.
| Grade Level | Minimum CGPA |
|---|---|
| Freshman | 1.6 |
| Sophomore | 1.8 |
| Junior | 2.0 |
| Senior | 2.0 |
Quantitative Standards
Pace of Completion
You must be progressively working towards completion of your degree. You are measured on all your hours attempted vs. hours successfully completed, even if you change your major/program before you complete your first program. Any course for which a charge is incurred is considered attempted. You must successfully complete a minimum percentage of hours attempted based on the following chart.
| Attempted Hours | Required Completion |
|---|---|
| 0-29 | 50% |
| 30-59 | 60% |
| 60-89 | 70% |
| 90+ | 80% |
Successful completion of hours attempted is a qualitative component used to measure SAP for Pace and Maximum Time Frame (MTF) - see below. Successful completion is defined as a course with one of the following grades: A, B, C, D, or P. Transfer credit is considered attempted and successfully completed. Repeated coursework is considered attempted; however, the prior course that is being repeated will not be considered as successfully completed hours. FUPE, CLEP, ACT-PEP will not be considered when determining successfully completed hours.
Unsuccessful completion is any course which was assigned a grade of E, F, I, NC, NZ, W, Z, or IE.
Second majors: Students may receive aid for a second major, but will only be eligible for loans once the student meets the requirements for their first bachelor degree.
Maximum Time Frame (MTF) Allowed for Completing a Program
You must complete your degree in a reasonable amount of time as outlined in the regulations. Under no circumstances may students pursuing their first Bachelor’s degree exceed 150% of the time it requires to complete a program. If you are seeking a second Bachelor’s (subsequent) degree, you may not exceed 120% of the time it requires to complete a program.
You must complete the minimum percentage of your total hours attempted and not exceed the specified amounts stated in the graduated scale below. A student who is exceeding MTF will be automatically withdrawn from federal aid. Students who have changed their major/program without completing the first program, can submit a SAP appeal requesting a review be completed to determine the applicable credit hours that apply only toward his/her current program requirements, and request the University only consider current program hours toward MTF. If a comprehensive review would determine that it would be mathematically impossible to complete the program within 150%, an appeal will not be approved.
| Degree | Required Hours | Max Time Allowed | Calculation | Max Hours Allowed | Determination |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate | 60 | 150% | 60*150% = 90 |
90 | 90 – Attempted hours (FRK + Transfer) = Remaining Hours to complete degree |
| Associate | 64 | 150% | 64*150% = 96 | 96 | 96 – Attempted hours (FRK + Transfer) = Remaining Hours to complete degree |
| First Bachelor's | 120 | 150% | 120*150% = 180 | 180 | 180 – Attempted hours (FRK + Transfer) = Remaining Hours to complete degree |
| First Bachelor's | 124 | 150% | 124*150% = 186 | 186 | 186 – Attempted hours (FRK + Transfer) = Remaining Hours to complete degree |
| First Bachelor's | 126 | 150% | 126*150% = 189 | 189 | 189 – Attempted hours (FRK + Transfer) = Remaining Hours to complete degree |
| Second Bachelor's (Subsequent) | 120 | 120% | 120*120% = 144 | 144 | 144 – Attempted hours (FRK + Transfer) = Remaining Hours to complete degree |
| Second Bachelor's (Subsequent) |
124 | 120% | 124*120% = 148 |
148 | 148 – Attempted hours (FRK + Transfer) = Remaining Hours to complete degree |
| Second Bachelor's (Subsequent) |
126 | 120% | 126*120% = 151 |
151 | 151 – Attempted hours (FRK + Transfer) = Remaining Hours to complete degree |
- You will be emailed a notification from Student Financial Services at the end of the trimester if you are not meeting SAP.
- If you do not meet one or more of the SAP standards, a WARNING status will be assigned for one trimester. You will maintain your aid eligibility during this warning period. Exception: MTF is immediately WITHDRAWN (see Quantitative Standards Item 2 above for MTF).
- If by the end of the WARNING period (one trimester) you failed to meet any of the qualitative or quantitative requirements, your status will be changed to WITHDRAWN and no further federal aid will be disbursed.
- You may appeal a WITHDRAWN status if there were documented extenuating circumstances that prevented successful academic progress and an explanation of how your difficulty has been resolved and what measures have been taken to ensure future academic success.
- You are only able to receive up to two approved appeals throughout your academic career at Franklin University. If you have had two appeals approved previously, the current appeal will be automatically denied.
- If an appeal is approved, your file will be updated (based on individual circumstances) to either PROBATION for one term or in certain circumstances an ACADEMIC PLAN for three terms. It is up to the discretion of the SAP Committee to determine which status will assist each student in their academic success.
Each trimester that you are on WARNING, PROBATION or ACADEMIC PLAN status, you are required to:
- Successfully complete all hours attempted in any course for which tuition charges are assessed, or successfully complete at least 12 attempted hours (if attempting more than 12 hours).
- Increase your GPA in order to meet minimum GPA requirements for your grade level by the end of the probation period.
- Meet all other SAP requirements or any other terms/conditions set by the institution, such as taking a reduced course load or enrolling in specific courses.
Regaining eligibility for Title IV aid may occur in one of the following ways:
- Appeal - An appeal will only be reviewed based on documentable extenuating circumstances that affected your ability to be successful. Extenuating circumstances, in general, were unknown, nonexistent, or unpredictable prior to the trimester in which you were withdrawn from Title IV aid. See the below section on How to appeal your withdrawn status.
- If you do not have a documentable circumstance for a SAP Appeal, you are responsible for all incurred expenses while you attempt to regain federal financial aid eligibility. You may submit a subsequent appeal when:
- You have successfully completed any deficient hours and/or increased your GPA to the required level for your academic rank; or
- You have completed at least two trimesters and satisfied your SAP requirements.
You will receive an e-mail notification of your WITHDRAWN status from Financial Aid. If you are withdrawn from federal aid due to:
- Pace or GPA - you may be able to appeal the withdrawn status due to extenuating circumstances; or
- Maximum Time Frame - you may be able to appeal by requesting a review to determine the applicable timeframe that applies toward your current degree requirements, or appeal due to extenuating circumstances that prevented you from completing your program within required timeframe.
If you have an appealable circumstance, complete the SAP Appeal Form below and follow the instructions on the form. The SAP committee will evaluate your appeal within 10 business days. After review, a letter will be mailed to you if the appeal is approved or denied.
To view or complete the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal form click here >
Graduate, Doctorate and Professional Students SAP
Graduate, Doctorate, and Professional students receiving federal Title IV aid must make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in order to maintain their eligibility for financial assistance. SAP is evaluated at the end of each trimester attended, including the Summer term. To meet SAP, you must meet or exceed minimum academic performance levels in both qualitative and quantitative standards each trimester. All attempted Franklin credits are included in the qualitative component of SAP, excluding previous courses that have been repeated and withdrawn courses. All attempted credits are included in the quantitative component of SAP, including transfer credit, repeated coursework, and withdrawals. Both components also include courses a student takes for which they did not receive Title IV or State aid. SAP will be re-evaluated for qualitative and quantitative components of SAP for courses that are assigned an Incomplete grade at the end of the term, once the instructor submits the final grade.
Qualitative Standards
Grade Point Average (GPA) - You must maintain a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.0. The CGPA is based on attempted Franklin hours, even if you change your major/program before you complete your first program. The CGPA does not include transfer hours, remedial coursework, or withdrawn courses. A repeated course is included in the CGPA.
Quantitative Standards
Pace of Completion
You must be progressively working toward completion of your degree. You are measured on your hours attempted vs. hours successfully completed, even if you change your major/program before you complete your first program. Any course for which a charge is incurred is considered attempted.
Successful completion is defined as a course with one of the following grades: A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-. Transfer credit is considered attempted and successfully completed. Repeated coursework is considered attempted; however, the prior course that is being repeated will not be considered as successfully completed hours.
Unsuccessful completion is any course which was assigned a grade of C+, C, C-; E, F, I, IF, NC, NZ, W, or Z.
You must successfully complete a minimum percentage of hours attempted based on the following chart.
| Attempted Hours | Required Completion |
|---|---|
| 0-12 | 50% |
| 13 or more | 67% |
Maximum Time Frame (MTF) Allowed for Completing a Program
You must complete your degree in a reasonable amount of time as outlined in regulations. If enrolled in a graduate, doctorate, or professional program you cannot exceed five calendar years to complete your degree. If you exceed MTF, you will be automatically withdrawn from federal aid. Students who have changed their major/program without completing the first program, or dropped out for a period of time due to extenuating circumstances can submit an appeal.
- You will be emailed a notification from Student Financial Services at the end of the trimester if you are not meeting SAP.
- If you do not meet one or more of the SAP standards, a WARNING status will be assigned for one trimester. You will maintain your aid eligibility during this warning period. Exception: MTF is immediately WITHDRAWN (see Quantitative Standards Item 2 above for MTF).
- If by the end of the WARNING period (one trimester) you failed to meet any of the qualitative or quantitative requirements, your status will be changed to WITHDRAWN and no further federal aid will be disbursed.
- You may appeal a WITHDRAWN status if there were documented extenuating circumstances that prevented successful academic progress and an explanation of how your difficulty has been resolved and what measures have been taken to ensure future academic success.
- You are only able to receive up to two approved appeals throughout your academic career at Franklin University. If you have had two appeals approved previously, the current appeal will be automatically denied.
- If an appeal is approved, your file will be updated (based on individual circumstances) to either PROBATION for one term or in certain circumstances an ACADEMIC PLAN for three terms. It is up to the discretion of the SAP Committee to determine which status will assist each student in their academic success.
Each trimester that you are on WARNING, PROBATION or ACADEMIC PLAN status, you are required to:
- Successfully complete all hours attempted in any course for which tuition charges are assessed, or successfully complete at least 12 attempted hours (if attempting more than 12 hours).
- Increase your GPA in order to meet minimum GPA requirements for your grade level by the end of the probation period.
- Meet all other SAP requirements or any other terms/conditions set by the institution, such as taking a reduced course load or enrolling in specific courses.
Regaining eligibility for Title IV aid may occur in one of the following ways:
- Appeal - An appeal will only be reviewed based on documentable extenuating circumstances that affected your ability to be successful. Extenuating circumstances, in general, were unknown, nonexistent, or unpredictable prior to the trimester in which you were withdrawn from Title IV aid. See the below section on How to appeal your withdrawn status.
- If you do not have a documentable circumstance for a SAP Appeal, you are responsible for all incurred expenses while you attempt to regain federal financial aid eligibility. You may submit a subsequent appeal when:
- You have successfully completed any deficient hours and/or increased your GPA to the required level for your academic rank; or
- You have completed at least two trimesters and satisfied your SAP requirements.
You will receive an e-mail notification of your WITHDRAWN status from Financial Aid. If you are withdrawn from federal aid due to:
- Pace or GPA - you may be able to appeal the withdrawn status due to extenuating circumstances; or
- Maximum Time Frame - you may be able to appeal by requesting a review to determine the applicable timeframe that applies toward your current degree requirements, or appeal due to extenuating circumstances that prevented you from completing your program within required timeframe.
If you have an appealable circumstance, complete the SAP Appeal Form below and follow the instructions on the form. The SAP committee will evaluate your appeal within 10 business days. After review, a letter will be mailed to you if the appeal is approved or denied.
To view or complete the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal form click here >
FAQs
Verification is the process in which the Financial Aid office compares the information provided on your FAFSA with the information reported on your, your spouse's or your parent's federal taxes, W-2s and/or our verification forms. You may be selected for verification by the government or through our internal selection process. If selected for verification, you will not be considered eligible for federal or state financial aid until all documentation is received and reviewed.
You'll receive an email from us, notifying you of required documentation. You can also view required documentation on your Self-Service account.
Current FAFSA rules for independent status include the following:
- Must be born before Jan. 1, 2001 for 2024-25.
- If under age, must provide proof of emancipation as a minor or legal guardianship immediately before reaching age of adult (18 in Ohio).
- Married as of the date of FAFSA application filing. (Franklin does not process mid-year marital status.)
- Will be a graduate or professional student at the start of the award year.
- Currently serving on active military duty for purposes other than training.
- Are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.
- Claim dependents (other than spouse) for which you provide more than half support.
- Were, at any time since age 13, had no living biological or adoptive parent or was a dependent or ward of the court. (Note: For federal student aid purposes, someone who is incarcerated is not considered a ward of the court.)
- Have been determined, at any time since July 1, 2023 for the 2024-25 FAFSA, to be an unaccompanied youth who is/was homeless or self-supporting and at risk of being homeless.
If you do not meet any of these requirements, you are considered dependent and are required to submit parental financial information on your FAFSA and any other applicable financial aid documents.
Perhaps. You may be considered for appeal if:
• You have mitigating circumstances and supporting documentation that you are no longer in contact with or receive financial support from your parents.
• You are still in contact with your parents, but they are unwilling to provide financial information for FAFSA. Please contact the Student Financial Services Office to schedule an appointment to a Parental Non-Disclosure Appeal.
Schedule an appointment with a Student Financial Services Counselor to discuss appealing the decision.
We're sorry, but no, Franklin cannot process a mid-year marital status change. Instead, we use the marital status reported on the day you completed your FAFSA.
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