Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy

Satisfactory academic progress is determined by cumulative grade point average (GPA) and progress made through the program. Satisfactory academic progress is evaluated at the end of every semester.

All students must meet the following requirements for satisfactory academic progress:

• Achieve a GPA of 1.5 or higher in the first semester and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all subsequent semesters. (AOS and BFA program)
• Achieve a GPA of 2.0 or higher in the first semester and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all semesters. (Undergraduate Certificate program)
• Complete at least 50% of all credit hours attempted each semester up to the program midpoint.
• Complete at least 67% of all credit hours attempted each semester from program midpoint to graduation.

All transfer credits that apply toward a student’s current program will be counted as hours completed.

Calculation of GPA. Grade point average in degree courses is calculated by the total number of grade points earned divided by the total number of credit hours attempted.

Non-passing grades are figured into satisfactory academic progress in the following ways:

• Incomplete (I) or Withdrawal (W): Not calculated in a student’s GPA, but counted towards a student’s attempted coursework for the semester. If the course is retaken, only the new grade will be calculated in the student’s cumulative GPA, but both attempts will be counted towards a student’s cumulative attempted coursework.
• Administrative failure (AF): Calculated in a student’s GPA and counted towards a student’s attempted coursework for the semester. If the course is retaken, both the AF and the new grade will be calculated in the student’s cumulative GPA, and both attempts will be counted towards a student’s cumulative attempted coursework.
• Failure (F): Calculated in a student’s GPA and counted towards a student’s attempted coursework for the semester. If the course is retaken, both the F and the new grade will be calculated in the student’s cumulative GPA, and both attempts will be counted towards a student’s cumulative attempted coursework.
• Repeated (R): If a course is repeated the original course will be marked R when the student passes the repeated course. The original attempt will count towards a student’s cumulative attempted coursework but not towards his or her GPA.

Students may enroll in any incomplete, withdrawn, or failed course the following term. Students who are dismissed from the program may re-apply to Sessions following the standard admissions process and are not guaranteed admission.

If a student receives a passing grade (D grade or better) and the student retakes the course to obtain a better grade, that course can be counted for the enrollment period. However, a student may only take one repetition of a previously passed course or any repetition of a previously passed course due to the student failing other coursework and still receive Title IV aid.

Academic Warning

A student who fails to meet the satisfactory academic progress will receive a notice of academic warning. Any student receiving an academic warning is expected to meet satisfactory academic progress requirements at the end of the next semester. A student who does not meet satisfactory academic progress requirements at the end of the semester may face dismissal from the College.

Any Federal Student Aid eligible student on Academic Warning may continue to receive assistance under the Title IV, HEA programs for one semester only. If the student does not meet SAP at the end of the Academic Warning period; he or she will lose Title IV, HEA eligibility; with the right to appeal. The student will be placed on an Academic Development Status, with a loss of Title IV, HEA funding, and will be required to meet specific criteria of an improvement plan to assist them in regaining SAP and Title IV, HEA eligibility.

During this period the student will not be eligible to receive Title IV, HEA funds but he/she may continue on a cash-pay basis with an approved institutional payment plan. Arrangements for payment must be approved within 10 school days of notification of development status.

Academic Probation

A student who fails to meet the satisfactory academic progress requirements after a semester on Academic Warning and who successfully appeals may be placed on Academic Probation. A student on Academic Probation is notified that he/she is expected to meet satisfactory academic progress requirements at the end of the next semester. Any  Federal Student Aid eligible student on Academic Probation may continue to receive assistance under the Title IV, HEA programs for one semester only.

An Academic Probation student who does not meet satisfactory academic progress requirements at the end of the next semester may face dismissal from the College. The student may re-establish satisfactory academic progress by meeting SAP requirements, by meeting a personal learning plan established for the student by the College, or by appeal. See Appeals Process below.

APPEALS PROCESS

Academic Appeal

Any student may appeal an academic progress decision by submitting a written appeal letter explaining the mitigating circumstances that hindered academic progress. Appeals must be in writing and sent to the attention of the Academic Appeals Committee at appeals@sessions.edu within five (5) business days of receiving the SAP notification.

Mitigating circumstances may include death of a relative, unexpected injury or illness of the student, or other special circumstance for which there is documented proof. The College may request such documentation when reviewing the appeal.

The College will review the appeal within five (5) business days of receipt. If the appeal is successful, the student will be permitted to continue subject to meeting satisfactory academic progress requirements or the requirements of a provided personal learning plan at the next evaluation point.

If the appeal is unsuccessful, the academic probation will stand and the student will be expected to return to satisfactory academic progress at the next evaluation period or face possible dismissal.

Regaining Financial Aid Eligibility

As a result of not meeting SAP requirements, a student who was previously eligible for Federal Student Aid may wish to reestablish financial aid eligibility while continuing their program on a self-funding basis.

A student receiving Federal financial aid who loses financial aid eligibility may continue to attend the program subject to meeting the general satisfactory academic progress policy, but during a period without financial aid, the student will be responsible for all expenses associated with attending the program.

A student wishing to re-establish financial aid eligibility must agree to meet the requirements of a provided academic plan and fulfill that plan. The student may regain eligibility by securing a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 and/or resolving other SAP requirements by completing courses with satisfactory grades in a defined time period. The student may then be approved to receive aid for the aid period after re-establishing eligibility.

Leave of Absence (LOA)

Students are expected to adhere to the published schedule of their program and maintain satisfactory academic progress. If a student needs to take off a semester but wishes to stay enrolled, he or she must submit a leave of absence request.

By filing a leave of absence, a student requests permission to withdraw from classes for a semester and be readmitted in the following semester. A leave of absence for any semester cannot be granted any later than the end of the first week of that semester. A student who withdraws from classes after week one will be subject to the withdrawal and refund policies for that semester.

For a student to be given Leave of Absence, he or she must:

• Have completed at least one semester of coursework
• Be meeting the school’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy
• Have tuition account paid in full at the time of request

Leaves of absence requests must be made using a Leave of Absence form and are subject to approval of the Student Services and Bursar offices. The fee for a leave of absence is $150. Students are expected to return to classes at the beginning of the next semester and may return without a re-enrollment fee.

If a student does not return from a leave of absence, the student will be considered unofficially withdrawn on the date of last attendance before they leave, or officially withdrawn on the date that the student informs the College that they do not expect to return from their leave.