Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

SAP Statuses

SAP is evaluated at the end of every semester you attend BYU-Idaho, beginning with your first semester.

Your current SAP status can be viewed on the home screen of your Financial Aid Portal.

Satisfactory

You are meeting all SAP requirements and remain eligible for applicable aid programs.

Next steps:

• Continue making satisfactory academic progress 
• Check your Financial Aid Portal each semester to confirm your status 
• Remember that SAP is reviewed every term, even if you do not receive an email 

SAP Warning

You are not meeting the SAP standards, but you remain eligible for aid for one additional semester.

• This occurs the first time SAP standards are not met 
• Failure to meet SAP standards by the next evaluation will result in suspension 

Next steps:

• Focus on improving your GPA and completion rate this semester 
• Avoid withdrawing from courses if possible 
• Consider reducing your course load to what you can successfully complete 
• Use academic support resources early (Advising, Tutoring, Counseling) 

If you take no action and do not meet SAP standards by the end of your warning semester, your financial aid will be suspended.

SAP Suspension

You are not meeting the SAP standards and are not eligible for federal financial aid.

• SAP suspension may impact VA education benefits, private loans, and scholarships 
• You may work to improve your academic record on your own to regain federal financial aid eligibility, or—if you have not already submitted two SAP appeals—you may submit a SAP appeal. Submitting a SAP Appeal does not guarantee approval.  

If you do not submit an appeal or improve your academic record, you will remain ineligible for federal financial aid.

Students are notified by BYU-Idaho email when a change in SAP status affects aid eligibility.

MTF Suspension

You will not meet the Maximum Time Frame requirements and are not eligible for federal financial aid.

Next steps:
If you have not already submitted two SAP appeals, you may submit an MTF SAP appeal. Submitting an MTF SAP Appeal does not guarantee approval.

• Meet with your Academic Advisor as soon as possible to create a graduation plan that only includes remaining required courses 
• Submit an MTF SAP appeal before FADD 
• The Academic Advisor must submit the Grad plan to the Financial Aid Office on the student’s behalf 

MTF suspensions do not include a warning semester.

SAP Probation

Probation is granted if your SAP appeal is approved.

• You remain eligible for aid while meeting probation and/or academic plan requirements   
• The Financial Aid SAP Appeal Committee determines probation requirements, which may include GPA, completion rate, and/or other academic conditions 
• Probation requirements are specific to each student and are outlined in the email you receive if your appeal is approved 

Next steps:

• Each semester, meet the GPA, completion standards, and any other academic conditions listed in your approval email 
• Check your BYU-Idaho email and Financial Aid Portal regularly 

If you meet probation requirements each semester, you may continue receiving federal aid. Once you meet the minimum SAP standards, you will be restored to Satisfactory status.

SAP Suspension and Appeals

My Financial Aid Says “Suspended.” What Can I Do?

If your SAP status is Suspended, you have two options:

Option 1: Continue Without Federal Aid
You may attend BYU-Idaho without federal financial aid using alternative funding such as payment plans, scholarships, private bank loans (check if they require SAP), campus employment, or a reduced course load.

Once SAP standards are met, you may regain aid eligibility.

Option 2: Submit a SAP Appeal
You may submit a SAP appeal only if you experienced serious, unexpected circumstances that:

• Were beyond your control 
• Occurred after the semester began 
• Significantly disrupted your academic progress 
• Are now resolved or being effectively managed 

Submitting an appeal does not guarantee approval.

Limit on SAP Appeals

Students are generally limited to two SAP appeals during their enrollment at BYU-Idaho.

Requests to submit more than two SAP appeals are considered on a case-by-case basis.

In reviewing a request for an additional appeal, the Financial Aid Office may consider:

• The nature of the circumstances 
• The student’s academic performance since the most recent appeal 
• The likelihood that the student will be able to meet SAP standards moving forward 
• Evidence that prior circumstances have been resolved or effectively managed, which may include an extended time away from school 

Students requesting consideration for an additional appeal may meet with a Financial Aid counselor to discuss their circumstances and next steps.

Approval of an additional appeal is not guaranteed.

Because appeals are limited, students are encouraged to submit an appeal only when they are prepared to meet probation or academic plan requirements.

See the SAP FAQs for more information about additional appeal considerations.

What Is a SAP Appeal?

A SAP appeal is a formal request asking the Financial Aid Office to reconsider aid eligibility.

A complete appeal must:

• Explain the circumstances and how they affected your ability to complete classes  
• Include when the circumstances occurred 
• Provide third-party documentation, uploaded in the Financial Aid portal under SAP Documentation 
• Show resolution or effective management  

You cannot appeal for the same reason used in a previous appeal.

DEADLINE: SAP Appeals and Third-Party Documentation must be submitted before the Financial Aid Determination Date (FADD), the **23rd day of the semester.

Third-Party Documentation Required for SAP Appeals

Documentation is required for all SAP appeals. Appeals will not be considered without documentation.

The documentation must clearly show that your issues are resolved or being effectively managed by including the following from a third party:

1. Circumstance or condition 
2. When it happened 
3. That the issue is resolved or being effectively managed 

For appeals based on medical or mental health circumstances, a letter is required from your provider that includes the above information. Documentation must also include the provider’s professional assessment of whether you are able to meet SAP probation requirements.

If documentation does not clearly show resolution or effective management, the appeal will be denied.

Need more details about documentation?

Documentation requirements vary depending on your situation (medical, mental health, personal crisis, or military service).

See SAP Appeal Documentation FAQs for detailed guidance on what documentation is required, including timelines and provider statements.

How Do I Submit a SAP Appeal?

Step-by-Step: Submitting a SAP Appeal

1. Log in to your Financial Aid Portal 
2. Complete the SAP Appeal Form 
   
   1. The appeal form is made available in your Financial Aid Portal after grades are processed if you are on SAP Suspension and have not already submitted two SAP appeals. 
   2. Your appeal must be hand-signed and dated 

If you do not see a SAP Appeal form in your portal and you have not already submitted two SAP appeals, email financialaid@byui.edu to request that a form be added.

3. Upload Required Documentation 
   
   1. Documentation must be uploaded under Satisfactory Academic Progress / Documentation 
   2. Appeals will not be reviewed without documentation 
4. Deadline:  
   
   1. Submit SAP Appeal and Third-Party Documentation by the Financial Aid Determination Date, the 23rd day of the semester 

Important Things to Know Before You Submit

• Submitting an appeal does not guarantee approval 
• Appeals are limited to two submissions during your enrollment at BYU-Idaho (additional appeals are considered on a case-by-case basis) 
• Appeal review typically takes 2–3 weeks 
• Tuition is still due by the tuition deadline, and late fees are not waived while an appeal is pending 

Maximum Time Frame (MTF) Appeals

Students who exceed or are projected to exceed the 150% Maximum Time Frame limit become ineligible for federal financial aid, even if GPA requirements are met.

MTF Appeals require:

• Completed and hand-signed SAP Appeal  
• Documentation  
• An approved Grad plan from an Academic Advisor 

Important: An MTF appeal and the advisor-approved graduation plan must be submitted by the Financial Aid Determination Date (FADD) — the 23rd day of the semester.

Required Academic Advisor Meeting and Graduation Plan

Students submitting an MTF appeal must meet with their Academic Advisor.

The advisor will:

• Review degree requirements 
• Identify only the remaining courses required for graduation 
• Create a Grad plan applying these credits 

The Academic Advisor must submit the plan on the student’s behalf to the Financial Aid Office.

Students must follow their submitted grad plan exactly until graduation to remain on probation and stay eligible for aid.

Academic Renewal and SAP

Students should use caution when considering Academic Renewal, as it may negatively affect SAP eligibility.

• Courses removed through Academic Renewal still count as attempted credits for SAP 
• These courses are excluded from GPA calculations but remain in completion percentage and MTF calculations 

Students are encouraged to consult Financial Aid before requesting Academic Renewal.

Regaining SAP Eligibility Without an Appeal

Students may regain eligibility by:

• Raising cumulative GPA to at least 2.0 
• Restoring the cumulative completion rate to at least 67% 
• Remaining within Maximum Time Frame limits 

Only Program Applicable (PA) credits are included.

Academic Support Resources

Students are encouraged to seek support early:

• Academic Advisor: Schedule a meeting immediately to create an improvement plan. 
• Tutoring Center: Get help with difficult classes to improve your grades. 
• Counseling Center: If you're dealing with mental health challenges, start getting support now. 
• Peer Mentors: Connect with a mentor to help with time management and study skills. 
• Student Success: Take advantage of workshops on academic skills. 
• Accessibility Services: If you have a disability that affects your studies, Accessibility Services can help you get accommodation for your classes. 
• The Dean of Students Office can help if you are experiencing unusual hardships like the loss of a loved one, physical assault, mental illness, or anything that affects you negatively. 

What Counts for Satisfactory Academic Progress (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

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.