Achieving Satisfactory Academic Progress
ASAP:
Achieving Satisfactory Academic Progress
At the end of this session you should be able to:
 Understand how SAP affects Financial Aid
Eligibility
 Learn how to calculate your GPA
 Know the difference between SAP and UMASS
Boston academic standing
 Make informed decisions
 Start the SAP appeal process
How SAP Affects
Financial Aid Eligibility
-Eligibility for federal and state fundsEligibility
for federal and state fund
 Grade Point Average (GPA)
 Completion rates
 Maximum Credits Attempted
Satisfactory Academic Progress
(SAP)
To be eligible for federal and state student aid funds a
student must be making satisfactory academic progress
Three criteria used for evaluating SAP:
1. Grade Point Average – GPA
2.0 or better GPA required with 25 or more credits
1.75 or better GPA required with 0-24 credits
2. Completion Rate
Must complete 67% of attempted credits
3. Maximum Credits Attempted – Maximum
Time Frame
150% of degree credits required for degree = maximum of 180
credits
Grade Point Average
GPA
Where do I find my GPA?
Degree Progress
Report
Transcript
(on WISER)
How is GPA calculated?
Grades and Transcripts
How is GPA calculated?
Multiply the grade points for each course by the number of credit hours
each course is worth. The resulting value is referred to as “Quality Points”
Add together earned quality points for all courses completed in a semester
Divide the sum by the total number of completed semester credit hours
Credit Hours
3
3
3
3
x
x
x
x
Grade (Equivalent)
C- (1.7)
B- (2.7)
C- (1.7)
C- (1.7)
=
=
=
=
Quality pts
5.1
8.1
5.1
TOTAL: 12
23.4 (Quality pts) ÷ 12 (credit hrs) = 1.95  semester GPA
5.1
23.4
UMASS Boston GPA Calculator
GPA Calculator
Note: This calculator is for estimating purpose only
Academic Standing
Dean’s List/Honors
3.2 +
Good Standing
2.0
Less than 2.0
Alert
Warning
Probation
Extended Probation
Suspension
Dismissal
Completion Rates
Successfully completed credits ÷ Attempted credits
 You must complete, with passing grades, 67%
(two-thirds) of the total number of credits
you attempt. This includes non-degree coursework, and
courses you might have taken at UMB many years ago
 Grades of F, W, INC, NA or PRG must be counted
as ‘attempts’
 Transfer credits count as both attempted and earned
How Completion Rates work
Anna’s First Semester
Subject
Catalog
Component Official Grade Units Taken
Course Name
MATH
115
Lecture
B+
3
College Algebra
ENGL
102
Lecture
W
3
Freshman English II
PHIL
108
Lecture
A
3
Moral Social Probls
EEOS
120
Lecture
B
3
Intro to EEOS - Lect
EEOS
121
Laboratory
W
1
Intro to EEOS Lab
1. GPA = 3.433
2. Completion Rate = 9 ÷ 13 = 69%
3. Max. Credits Attempted = 13
SAP 1st Semester
Anna’s Second Semester
Subject
Catalog
Component Official Grade Units Taken
Course Name
ECON
101
Lecture
INC
3
Intro To Micro
ENGL
102
Lecture
W
3
Freshman English II
JAPAN
102
Lecture
NA
4
Intro Japanese II
PHIL
110G
Lecture
W
4
Equality & Justice
1. GPA = 3.433
2. Completion Rate = 9 ÷ 27 = 33%
3. Max. Credits Attempted = 27
SAP 1st Year
Academic Standing and
Satisfactory Academic progress
Academic Standing
 Based only on your GPA
 Affects your academic status
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
 Based on GPA, Completion Rate & Maximum
Credits Attempted
 Affects your financial aid eligibility status
Informed Decisions
-Grading/course options
 Grading/Course Options
 Resources
options
-Resources
-Resources
Pass-Fail Grading Option
 Pass = P (not in GPA)
 Fail = F (in GPA)
Things to consider:
1. Talk to your instructor
2. Some majors/minors don’t allow Pass-Fail: CHECK!
3. Declare Pass-Fail via WISER by deadline
4. Maximum of eight, one per semester
Pass-Fail Grading Option
“P” with Pass-Fail
With Letter Grade
With Pass/Fail
ENGL 101: C
MATH 115: C
PHIL108: C
PSYCH100: D
ENGL101: C
MATH115: C
PHIL108: C
PSYCH100: P
Semester GPA: 1.75
Semester GPA: 2.0
Withdrawal
Course Withdrawal
 Withdrawal = “W” on transcript (not in GPA)
 Student pays for the class
Things to consider:
1. Talk to your instructor
2. Talk to your advisor
3. May affect financial aid: CHECK!!!
4. Declare “W” via WISER by deadline
Course Withdrawal Option
University Withdrawal
 Must submit undergraduate withdrawal form by last day of classes.
University Withdrawal
“F” vs. “W”
“F” with Pass/Fail
With Withdrawal
ENGL 101: C
MATH115: C
PHIL108: F
PSYCH100: C
ENGL 101: C
MATH115: C
PHIL108: W
PSYCH100: C
Semester GPA: 1.5
Semester GPA: 2.0
Incomplete
INC + 1 year = IF = F
Incomplete Grade Policy
Repeat Policy
 Maximum of four repeats allowed
 Both the first and the second earned grades appear on transcripts
 When student repeats a course, the first grade comes out of the
GPA, and the second grade replaces the first
 Credit is only earned once
Each repeat counts as an attempt for SAP
Example: You failed English 101. This counts as 3 credits attempted,
0 credit completed.You repeat and pass English 101 the next term.
SAP calculates this as 6 credits attempted, 3 completed.
 Students cannot retake a course out of sequence (cannot repeat
SPAN 101 after passing SPAN 102)
Course Repeat Policy
Tips for Maintaining SAP
 See your Academic Advisor regularly
 Review your degree audit as frequently as you can
 Focus on your degree/graduation requirements by
taking only courses that pertain to your degree
while also completing your general electives
 Educate yourself on SAP criteria by regularly
visiting the Financial Aid Services web page on the
UMass Boston website
Resources
 University Advising Center – CC-1-1100
 Academic Support Services - CC-1-1300
Subject tutoring, Math Resource Center,
Reading, Writing, & Study Strategy Center,
& Skills Workshops
 Career Services - CC- 1- 1300
 Disability Services(Ross Center),CC-UL-240
 Counseling Center- Quinn- 2- 39
 Health Center- Quinn- 2- 40
 College Success Centers, check with your college
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Appeal Process
 Submit the SAP Appeal
 Complete the Academic Plan Form
 Take the next steps
Appeal Process
 Check your Wiser student center for
information regarding your Financial Aid SAP
Appeal Status
 For follow up questions, contact:
Financial Aid Services
Kimberly Mann, Student Retention Specialist,
kimberly.mann@umb.edu
Phone: 617.287.6341 Fax: 617-287-6323
Or
Alberta Cavanaugh, Senior Associate Director
Alberta.cavanaugh@umb.edu
Phone: 617-287-6327 Fax: 617-287-6323
How to Process your Appeal
1. Attend Achieving Satisfactory Academic
Progress Workshop (ASAP)
2. Answer appeal form questions, write your
personal statement, and attach documentation, if
necessary
3. Submit completed appeal form to Financial Aid
4. Financial Aid may refer students to their
assigned academic advisor to complete an
Academic Plan
Students don’t have to be full-time
A minimum of six credits is needed to
receive Federal Student Loans
Academic Plan
 If you are referred for an Academic Plan, you will need
to meet with your advisor
 Once you submit an Academic Plan to the Financial Aid
Office, you need to follow that plan. You may not
change your schedule without consulting your advisor
and preparing a new plan
 At the end of the semester, the Financial Aid Office will
review your progress and verify if you followed the
agreed upon Academic Plan. Failure to adhere to your
plan may result in loss of financial aid eligibility
Academic Plan Form
How to complete your Academic Plan
 Make sure to schedule an hour-long appointment
with your advisor.
 Please DO NOT attempt or expect to complete
your academic plan in a walk-in session

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policies are available at:
Satisfactory Academic Progress Policies

The academic plan is for financial aid purposes which does not
substitute for the university’s review of your academic standing. To
complete your academic plan, make an appointment to see an advisor,
based on your college or major
Where to complete your academic plan
College Affiliation
Location
University Advising Center, Campus
Undeclared students,CLA and CSM Center, 1st floor, room 1100, 617-287-5500
College of Liberal Arts declared
CLA Initiatives Office, Wheatley Building,
students
2nd floor, room 4-10, 617-287-7897
College of Science & Mathematics CSM Success Center, Science Building,
declared students
2nd floor, room 60, 617-287-4846/3974
College of Management students
University Advising Center, Campus
with fewer than 60 credits
Center, 1st floor, room 1100, 617-287-5500
College of Management students
CM Student Services, McCormack
with more than 60 credits
Building, 5th floor, room 610, 617-287-7625
College of Education and Human
Wheatley Building, 1st floor, room 51,
Development
617-287-7625
College of Public and Community University Advising Center, Campus
Services with less than 60 credits Center, 1st floor, room 1100, 617-287-5500
College of Public and Community Wheatley Building, 4th floor, room 151,
Services with more than 60 credits 617-287-77100
College of Nursing and Health
Science Building, 2nd floor, room 13,
Sciences
617-287-7500
Campus Center, 1st floor, room 1100,
Student Support Services (SSS)
617-287-5820
Next Steps
 Financial Aid Appeals committee will notify you
of their decision within 14 business days of
receipt of completed appeal

Appeals which are approved will be on a
probationary basis and will be reviewed after
one semester

If your appeal is DENIED, you will not be
eligible to receive Financial Aid until you meet
the requirements of Satisfactory Academic
Progress

Have a back up plan for tuition payment in
case you are denied financial aid. Consider
setting up a payment plan with the Bursar’s
Office
 Stay on Track
 Have a Great Academic Semester
 Let us know how we can help you