The U.S. Department of Education requires students to make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward completing their degree to remain eligible for federal financial aid.
Students must maintain a 67% completion rate, a 2.0 cumulative GPA, and complete their program within 150% of required Program Applicable (PA) credits.
SAP is reviewed each semester after grades are posted for all students, regardless of whether federal aid was received.
Important:
Be sure to check your Financial Aid Portal each semester to confirm your current SAP status.
What Types of Aid Require SAP?
SAP applies to eligibility for:
- Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA funds such as Federal Loans and Pell Grants)
- VA Education Benefits
- Some scholarships, including:
- Idaho Opportunity Scholarship
- Idaho Launch
- Some private bank loans
SAP Requirements
To remain eligible for federal financial aid, students must meet all three of the following SAP standards:
Important: All SAP requirements are calculated using Program Applicable (PA) credits only, as determined by your declared degree program.
Completion Rate (Pace Requirement)
Students must complete at least 67% of cumulative PA credits attempted.
Calculation:
PA Credits Earned ÷ PA Credits Attempted = Completion Rate
- All PA credits attempted are included, even if the course was failed, withdrawn, or repeated
- PA transfer credits are included
- Only courses completed with grades of A, B, C, D, or P (Pass) count as earned
Your transcript may not reflect your true SAP pace because it includes non-PA credits.
Grade Point Average (GPA Requirement)
- Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 based on PA and eligible remedial courses.
- The GPA from transfer credits is not included
Your Financial Aid GPA may differ from your transcript GPA as it may include non-PA credits and/or transfer credits.
Maximum Time Frame (MTF Requirement)
Students must complete their degree within 150% of the total PA credits required for their program.
Example:
If your degree requires 120 PA credits, you may attempt up to 180 PA credits.
If it is determined that you would need more than 180 credits to complete your degree, your SAP status will change to MTF Suspension.
- MTF is cumulative and includes your entire academic history at BYU-Idaho
- All attempted transfer credits that apply to your program are included
Students are not given a Warning semester for MTF Suspension.
An MTF Suspension occurs when your academic record calculation indicates you will not be able to finish your degree within the 150% limit, even if you pass all remaining courses.
What Counts for SAP?
SAP is calculated using Program Applicable (PA) credits only. Not all courses or grades on your transcript count the same way for financial aid purposes.
The information below explains how different grades and course types affect your completion rate (pace), earned credits, and SAP GPA.
SAP Calculation Guide
| Course Type / Grade | Counts as Attempted? | Counts as Earned? | Counts in SAP GPA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grades A–D | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pass (P) | Yes | Yes | No |
| Fail (F) | Yes | No | Yes |
| Withdraw (W) | Yes | No | No |
| UW – Attended | Yes | No | Yes |
| UW – Not Attended | No | No | No |
| Incomplete (I) | Yes | No (until completed) | No |
| Null Grades (T, NR) | Yes | No | No |
| Retaken courses | Yes | Yes/No (only most recent attempt may count as earned) | Most recent attempt |
| Disqualified repeats | No | No | Most recent attempt |
| Repeatable courses | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Academic Renewal (PA courses) | Yes | No | Yes |
| Remedial courses | No | No | Yes |
| External transfer credits | Yes | Yes | No |
| Internal transfer credits | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| BYU Jerusalem credits | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pathway transfer credits | Yes | Yes | No |
| AP / IB credits | Yes | Yes | No |
| CLEP / Credit by exam | Yes | Yes | No |
| Vertical credits | Yes | Yes | No |
| Consortium credits | Yes | Yes | No |
| Military credits | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audit or non-credit courses | No | No | No |
| Non-Program Applicable courses | No | No | No |
Important Notes About SAP Calculations
- Attempted credits include all attended PA courses on your transcript, even if you fail, withdraw, or repeat a course
- Earned credits include only courses completed with grades of A, B, C, D, or P
- Only the most recent attempt of a repeated course may count as earned,
- Transfer credits that apply to your program count toward pace and Maximum Time Frame
- Transfer grades do not affect SAP GPA
- Audit and non-credit courses do not count for SAP
Withdrawals and SAP
A W (Withdraw) grade:
- Counts as an attempted credit
- Does not count as an earned credit
- May lower your completion rate (pace)
If you withdrew due to serious, unexpected circumstances, and it leads to a financial aid SAP suspension, you may be able to submit a SAP appeal or regain eligibility once SAP standards are met.