Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy

Satisfactory Academic Progress refers to a student’s successful, timely advancement through the required curriculum in a way that maintains eligibility for continued enrollment and financial aid.

This policy ensures that all medical students progress toward the M.D. degree in compliance with LCME accreditation requirements, including the fair and formal processes outlined in LCME Element 9.9, and federal Title IV regulations.

Scope

This policy applies to all medical students and governs academic standing and financial aid eligibility.

Components of Satisfactory Academic Progress

Qualitative Standard (Academic Performance)

Students must successfully complete all required coursework and clerkships. A student must achieve and maintain a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.5. Students must also complete required examinations (e.g., United States Medical Licensing Exam Step 1 and Step 2-CK) and maintain professional and technical standards.

Quantitative Standard (Pace of Progression)

Students must complete at least 67% of attempted courses or credit equivalents. Attempted credits include failed, repeated, and withdrawn courses.

Maximum Timeframe for Degree Completion

Students must complete the M.D. program within 150% of the published program length (e.g., 6 years for a 4-year curriculum).

SAP Evaluation Procedures

SAP is reviewed annually for financial aid purposes.  Evaluations can be performed more frequently if deemed necessary. Students will receive timely notice of denials and have the right to appeal.

SAP Status Categories

  • Good Standing
  • Financial Aid Warning
  • Financial Aid Probation
  • Suspension or Dismissal

SAP Appeals Process

Students may appeal SAP determinations due to extenuating circumstances and may be placed on financial aid probation if the appeal is approved.

Reestablishing Eligibility

Eligibility is restored when SAP standards are met or when students successfully complete an approved academic plan.

Governance

Policy is reviewed every three years in alignment with LCME requirements.

Professionalism Issues

In some cases, issues involving professionalism (not just grades) can trigger SAP failure.

Progression Requirements

Students may need to:

  • Remediate courses
  • Repeat an academic year
  • Delay clerkships
  • Pass USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 CK before advancing

Failure to complete these milestones can jeopardize both academic standing and financial aid eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions about SAP

Financial Aid Probation is a temporary, federally regulated status that allows a student who has failed to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to continue receiving federal financial aid after successfully appealing the SAP determination.

This status exists to give the student one additional payment period (typically one semester or one academic term) to meet SAP requirements or demonstrate improvement according to an approved academic plan.

A student may be placed on Financial Aid Probation only when the student fails to meet SAP requirements, such as:

  • Not completing the required percentage of attempted credits (e.g.67% of attempted credits).
  • Failing coursework or clerkships.
  • Failing United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) step examinations within required timelines.

While on probation:

  1. The student remains eligible for federal financial aid.
    This includes all Title IV programs (Direct Unsubsidized Loans, PLUS Loans, etc.).
  2. The student may be required to follow an academic plan such as:
    • Repeating failed coursework
    • Limits on credit load
    • Mandatory tutoring or advising
    • Required step exam remediation steps
      (Consistent with federal SAP regulations.)
  3. Performance is evaluated at the end of the probationary period.
    • If the student meets SAP: Probation ends and full financial aid eligibility resumes.
    • If the student Does NOT meet SAP: Aid eligibility becomes denied.  Students who are placed on suspension will be ineligible for all federal, state, and institutional financial aid. This includes any alternative loans that require certification by Methodist University.

A written appeal can be submitted to the Financial Aid Office if a student fails to meet SAP.

An appeal can be submitted if there were extenuating circumstances (e.g., health, family emergency) that prevented academic success.

  • The appeal must include details and supporting documentation related to the extenuating circumstance.
  • The appeal should also include an explanation citing any steps taken that will allow the student to meet SAP going forward.
  • The appeal is approved by the Financial Aid Office or SAP committee.

Without an approved appeal, the student is instead placed into a Suspension/Dismissal of Aid Eligibility status.