Satisfactory Academic Progress

What is SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress)?

Federal regulations require students to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to receive financial aid. Students who do not meet minimum GPA and hour requirements after each academic year will not be eligible to receive further assistance until they have met the requirements. 

How does SAP work? 

ORU students must maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) to receive financial aid. Undergraduates must meet or exceed the requirements that follow. Students who do not meet the minimum GPA/hour requirements after the scheduled academic year (fall/spring) are not eligible to receive further financial assistance until they have met the requirements or have been granted an appeal to continue working to meet the requirements. For each year while a student is in appeal status, their scholarship will be reduced by 25%. The Registrar's decision concerning enrollment at ORU is separate from the decision of eligibility for financial aid.

The minimum SAP requirements at the end of each academic year (fall/spring) are as follows:

In addition to these GPA/hour requirements students must complete at least 67% of their hours attempted each academic year and cannot exceed enrollment in credit hours exceeding 150% of their degree program requirements. Transfer students are positioned relative to the number of college credits accepted by ORU. Credit is not awarded for noncredit or audited courses, or for grades of F, I, or W. Graduate students must meet all requirements for retention in their respective graduate programs (including GPA) as listed in the college sections of this catalog. Students not meeting the above requirements can take summer courses to remove deficiencies. Students may appeal a denial of aid with proper documentation when extenuating circumstances exist.

How DOES Student Success Help?

Students who are placed on SAP receive help from their Success Coach and work with their Coach to develop a SAP Plan to help them get back on track to graduate. 

SAP Potential Plan Components

• Attending monthly meeting with Student Success Coach for assessment/monitoring process on plan and adjustment as needed
• Class attendance requirement
• Timely submission of coursework
• Regular communication with professors
• Minimum grade/hour requirement per semester to achieve good standing with SAP policies as well as scholarship renewal criteria
• Repeating required classes that were not passed at the appropriate level
• Reviewing suitability of major to determine if the student is in the right field of study
• Connecting with academic support services
• Time management strategies
• Advisor meetings
• Test-taking strategy development
• Assessment of learning styles

SAP Appeals

Students with extenuating circumstances that may have caused unsatisfactory progress are allowed to submit an Appeal for Reinstatement of Aid to the University SAP Appeals Committee. Students approved on appeal for a single semester or full academic year must meet the student-specific criteria outlined in their appeal response in order to be eligible for aid in a future term. Please submit an appeal here:

Submit Appeal on Vision  or Submit Appeal Here

If you are submitting your appeal in Vision, please follow these simple steps:

• Log into Vision.
• Select “Student Services & Financial Aid”
• Select “Financial Aid”
• Select “My Eligibility”
• The first tab will list the student requirements: The “Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal” will automatically display for you to complete.

Typical Reasons Students Include in Appeals

• Personal or family circumstances (such as illness, death, divorce, or unemployment)
• Poor class attendance
• Depression, lack of motivation, or feeling discouraged, overwhelmed, or stressed
• Finances
• Change of major
• Lack of knowledge about academic actions (such as withdrawals, incompletes, and not repeating failed courses)
• Not seeking advisement
• Not communicating with faculty when challenges arise

Schedule an Appointment

Contact us at 918.495.6223 or success@oru.edu.