SAP & Staying Eligible

All academic grades are required to be calculated in the review, regardless if the student received aid. Academic grade records are reviewed for SAP at the end of each semester of enrollment (Fall, Winter, and Summer), or at the time the FAFSA application is received if a SAP status has not previously been determined. Students without a prior SAP status who are not meeting the overall standards will go on "Warning" or "Ineligible" status depending on the number of unsuccessful semesters on record. Students who are not meeting SAP requirements are notified of their SAP status through their Mid Mich Email account.

Check Your SAP Status using Self-Service

All appeals must be complete when submitted. Any appeals missing documentation will not be reviewed. Be sure to submit the SAP Appeal & Academic Plan Form including supporting documents and your signed Individual Action Plan (IAP). 

An IAP must be obtained from your Mid Mentor and signed by the student in ink—typed or computer generated signatures are not accepted.

SAP Appeal & Academic Plan Form

Additional Information

The standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress include the following components Grade Point Average (GPA), Completion Rate, and Maximum Time Frame measures.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

• Measure Students must maintain a minimum overall 2.0 GPA.

Completion Rate

• Students must complete 67% of all attempted credits (including transfer credits). The completion rate is calculated by dividing the number of completed credits by the number of attempted credits.

Maximum Time Frame (MTF)

• Students may receive aid up to 150% of the credits required for graduation (refer to College Catalog for specific programs). For restricted programs such as nursing and radiology, eligibility is evaluated on the number of prerequisite classes until the student is officially admitted into the program.

*The maximum attempted credit hours allowed is dependent on the specific program a student is enrolled in.

Grades

• All “F”, “W”, and “I” grades will be considered as credits attempted but not as completed. Also, If a student receives a grade of D- or higher in a course and repeats the course, the repeated credits will be counted as attempted but not completed. Transfer, ESL, and remedial courses are counted as attempted and completed credits. Credit hours taken as credit/no credit are included in determining enrollment status for financial aid disbursement and satisfactory academic progress. Credit hours taken for an audit grade of “AU” are not included in determining enrollment status for financial aid disbursement or satisfactory academic progress.

Results of Semester SAP Reviews

Financial Aid Warning and Ineligibility

• Students who are not meeting the minimum overall standards of SAP will be placed, for the following semester, on a status of “Warning.” During this semester, students may continue to receive federal and state financial aid. Students with a “Warning” status must seek additional services from a Mid Mentor to discuss issues related to their academic performance.
• Students who have reached their Maximum Time Frame will not be eligible for a semester on “Warning”. They will lose their eligibility for Title IV funds unless they file a successful appeal.
• After the “Warning” semester, students who do not obtain the minimum SAP standards will become “Ineligible” to receive federal or state financial aid. Students who are unable to meet SAP are encouraged to make an appointment with a Mid Mentor.

Regaining Eligibility

• Students may regain eligibility for financial aid by meeting the minimum SAP standards. Students must successfully complete the number of credits needed to obtain those standards without the use of federal or state financial aid.

Appeals for Ineligible Status

• Students who become ineligible have the right to appeal for continued eligibility. Students must meet with a Mid Mentor to complete an Individual Academic Plan (IAP). The student must submit a complete Appeal Packet (IAP, SAP Appeal Form, appeal letter, and supporting documentation if available) to Mid's Financial Aid team.

Students should clearly describe

• the circumstances that occurred beyond their control that contributed to their failure to meet the minimum SAP standards and
• what corrective action has been taken to prevent this from happening in the future.

Examples of situations considered beyond a person’s control may include

• Serious illness or injury to a student that required extended recovery time
• Death or serious illness of a family member
• Significant trauma in the student’s life that impaired the student’s emotional and/or physical health
• Other documented situations

• Before submitting the Appeal Packet, students should have a completed FAFSA on file. Students should also complete “Exit Counseling” at studentaid.gov if they have borrowed funds from the Federal Direct Student Loan program.
• In addition, students should also submit official academic transcripts from all colleges attended. Student copies will be accepted in certain circumstances. Results of the transcripts or failure to provide transcripts, will factor into the decision of the Financial Aid Appeal Committee.

Appeal Decisions

• The Financial Aid Committee will generally review all completed Appeal Packets within 2-4 weeks of submission. Before a decision is finalized, students may need to meet with a Financial Aid Officer. The student will be notified by email of the committee’s decision. If an appeal is approved, the student regains their eligibility for federal and state aid. The student must meet the conditions of the IAP until they are able to meet SAP or if the student has an approved appeal for the “Maximum Time Frame” requirement, they must meet the terms of the IAP until they graduate.

Failure to Meet the Terms of the Academic Plan

• Failure to meet the terms of the IAP will result in the loss of eligibility for federal and state financial aid. Students may file subsequent appeals if there were different extenuating circumstances from the original appeal. If students are requesting an approval for a change of program of study, they must meet with a Mid Mentor, and submit a revised IAP, a Change of Program Appeal Form, and documentation to Mid's Financial Aid team for approval.
• Students who have an Approved Appeal but fail to enroll for one full academic year will return to an “Ineligible” status. Students may need to meet with a Financial Aid Officer and a Mid Mentor before their appeal can be considered for reinstatement. The Financial Aid Committee has the right to deny reinstatement of a formally Approved Appeal on a case-by-case basis. Grounds for denial may include credit hours taken at another institution, a change in the approved program of study, or any unresolved issues that may prevent the student from achieving academic success.

Denied Appeals

• If the appeal is denied but there are circumstances or documentation that was not considered in the original decision, the student may request a second review of the appeal. The request and any additional documentation must be submitted in writing to the Director of Financial Aid. The Financial Aid Committee will review the request and notify the student of the decision within ten business days. The committee’s decision will be considered final. The Financial Aid Committee consists of department representatives from mentoring, financial aid, admissions, compliance, and faculty. A minimum of three members is required to review a request and reverse the denial.

Writing a Successful Appeal

Your Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal Explanation must include the following

• Explain What Happened Why were you unable to maintain satisfactory progress?
• Explain What Has Changed and How You Plan To Be Successful in Future Semesters How has your situation changed? What corrective measures have you taken or will you take to achieve and maintain satisfactory academic progress?

• Take a look at your situation to determine what has kept you from making satisfactory academic progress. Perhaps you need help with time management or study skills. Admit the problem and explain how you will get that help. A lack of awareness of withdrawal policies, requirements for satisfactory academic progress, or unpreparedness for college coursework will not be accepted as reasons for an appeal.

Attach any relevant supporting documentation.

• Acceptable forms of supporting documentation include doctor’s statements, medical bills, copy of hospital/urgent care/doctor visits, obituary/funeral notice/death certificate, and court documents.

Example of a valid explanation Statement

What Happened

• I had an accident at work on September 4, 2020. I was in the hospital for a week in which I had to have surgery to repair my shoulder. I then had to receive physical therapy for 8 weeks following surgery which interfered with my course schedule. I was unable to complete the Fall 2023 semester and this affected my academic progress.

What Has Changed

• I have successfully completed my physical therapy appointments and have received a letter from my doctor allowing me to return to work. I intend to register and repeat the coursework in the courses that I failed. I will also communicate with my instructors if I am experiencing any problems and seek out further assistance through tutoring services if need be.

Attached is Documentation Verifying my Injury

• Copy of incident report from my employer.
• Copy of Hospital Bill showing the dates of my stay.
• Copy of my letter from doctor releasing my back to work.

Important Notes

• All appeals must be complete when submitted. Any appeals missing documentation will not be reviewed.
• Your appeal must be backed up by an Independent Academic Plan (IAP) from your Mid Mentor and signed by the student in ink—typed or computer generated signatures are not accepted.
• Your IAP from your Mid Mentor will show GPA calculation results, which demonstrate that meeting SAP standards and graduating from your program is an attainable goal.