Achieving Satisfactory Academic Progress Presented By University Advising and Financial Aid

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 Determine if you may appeal your ineligibility for financial aid based on extenuating circumstances

Federal Regulations Federal regulations requires colleges and universities to monitor three standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP): Grade Point Average (GPA) 2.0 or better GPA is required Pace (completion rate) Must complete 67% of attempted credits Time Frame (maximum credits attempted) 150% of degree credits required for degree; for example,150% of a 120 credit program is 180 credits. Affects financial aid eligibility Students who are not meeting SAP standards are not eligible for financial aid funds There is an appeal process for extenuating circumstances

How SAP Affects Financial Aid Eligibility Students who are not in good SAP standing are not eligible for Federal, State or Institutional Aid. Examples of each type of aid include (but are not limited to): Federal Aid Pell Grant SEOG (Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant) Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans Parent Plus Loans Federal Work Study State Aid Mass Grant Mass Cash Grant Need Based Tuition Credit Institutional Aid UMass Boston Grants Some lenders for private/alternative education loans require students to be in good SAP standing, check terms and conditions.

Grades and Transcripts Right click to open the hyperlink UMB Grading System How is GPA calculated? Grades and Transcripts Right click to open the hyperlink

Degree Progress Report Where do I find my GPA? Degree Progress Report Transcript

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 Grade (Equivalent) Quality pts 3 x C- (1.7) = 5.1 3 x B- (2.7) = 8.1 3 x C- (1.7) = 5.1 3 x C- (1.7) = 5.1 TOTAL: 12 23.4 23.4 (Quality pts) ÷ 12 (credit hrs) = 1.95  semester GPA

UMASS Boston GPA Calculator http://www.pcesp.umb.edu/gpa/gpa.php Note: This calculator is for estimating purpose only

Academic Standing 3.5+ 2.0 Less than 2.0 Dean’s List/Honors Good Standing Alert Warning Probation Extended Probation Suspension Dismissal 3.5+ 2.0 Less than 2.0

Pace 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, or NA must be counted as ‘attempts’ Transfer credits count as both attempted and earned

How Pace Works Kim’s first year FALL 2017 GRADE CREDITS SPRING 2018 ENGL 101 B+ 3 MATH 115 W PHIL 108 A EEOS 120 B EEOS 121 1 SPRING 2018 GRADE CREDITS ECON 101 INC 3 ENGL 102 W SPAN 101 NA 4 PHIL 110G Total Credits Attempted Total Credits Completed Completion Rate 27 9 9/27 = 33%

Time Frame Students may not attempt more than 150% of the program length in order to receive financial aid For most undergraduate programs, this limit is 180 credits Double majors – If all requirements are met for one major, they are ineligible for financial aid A copy of the Degree Audit is required for all time frame appeals Please note that there are limits on federal loans and Pell grants that may apply even if you are meeting SAP standards and/or have an appeal approved

Loan and Pell Aggregates There is a limit to the amount of federal loans and Pell grants students receive. Undergraduate Dependent Students Subsidized – $23,000 Total subsidized and unsubsidized - $31,000 Undergraduate Independent Students Subsidized - $23,000 Total subsidized and unsubsidized - $57,500 Pell Grant 600% (6-years of full-time status) View your Federal loan and Pell Grant history at www.studentaid.gov , login using your FSA/FAFSA credentials

Academic Standing vs. Satisfactory Academic Progress Institutional Policy Based only on your GPA Affects your academic status with the university Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Federal Policy Based on GPA, Pace & Time Frame Affects financial aid eligibility

-Grading/course options Informed Decisions -Grading/course options Grading Options Pass/Fail Course Withdrawal University Withdrawal Incompletes Resources options -Resources

Pass-Fail Grading Option Pass = P (not in GPA) Fail = F (in GPA) Things to consider: Talk to your instructor Some majors/minors don’t allow Pass-Fail: CHECK! Declare Pass-Fail via WISER by deadline Maximum of eight, one per semester Pass-Fail Grading Option Right click to open the hyperlink

“P” with Pass-Fail Semester GPA: 1.75 Semester GPA: 2.0 With Letter Grade With Pass/Fail ENGL 101: C MATH 115: C PHIL108: C PSYCH100: D Semester GPA: 1.75 ENGL101: C MATH115: C PHIL108: C PSYCH100: P Semester GPA: 2.0

Course Withdrawal Option Withdrawal = “W” on transcript (not in GPA) Student pays for the course Things to consider: Talk to your instructor Talk to your advisor Impacts financial aid – contact the financial aid office before withdrawing from a course. Declare “W” via WISER by deadline Course Withdrawal Option Right click to open the hyperlink University Withdrawal Must submit undergraduate withdrawal form by last day of classes.

“F” vs. “W” “F” with Pass/Fail With Withdrawal ENGL 101: C MATH115: C PHIL108: F PSYCH100: C Semester GPA: 1.5 ENGL 101: C MATH115: C PHIL108: W PSYCH100: C Semester GPA: 2.0

Course Withdrawals vs. University Withdrawals Withdrawing from individual courses, while still remaining enrolled Still have to pay for courses No financial aid adjustments to current semester Affects SAP – Pace/Time Frame University Withdrawal Full withdrawal from all of your classes Financial aid is prorated based on last date of attendance Still charged for courses Could result in balance owed

NA Grades NA grades indicate that the student never attended the course. Financial aid is prorated for every NA grade posted For Example: Credits Attempted: 10 Financial Aid Awarded on 10 credits NA grade posted in a 4cr course Financial Aid is adjusted to 6 credits Student is still charged for 10 credits COURSE CREDITS GRADE English 101 3 (In Progress) Spanish 101 BIOL 111 4 NA

No Passing Grades Students who do not receive any passing grades for a semester will have their financial aid prorated based on the last date of an academic related activity. Treated as a semester withdrawal for financial aid purposes May result in a balance owed

Incomplete Grade Policy Incomplete (“INC”) grades may be granted by the instructor. The INC is granted only if the student has extenuating circumstances that prevents them from completing coursework before the end of the semester. The student and instructor must fill out an Incomplete Contract before the INC grade can be granted. A copy of this contract must be included with the SAP appeal. INC grades must be completed within one year. Instructors may impose a stricter deadline INC grades not changed to a letter grade within one year will be graded as “IF”. This is considered a failing grade and will be factored as an “F” in the GPA. Incomplete Grade Policy

Right click to open the hyperlink 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) Financial aid restrictions may apply for previously passed courses Course Repeat Policy Right click to open the hyperlink

SAP Appeal Process Check your WISER to-do list to determine what you need to submit for your appeal Attend Achieving Satisfactory Academic Progress Workshop (ASAP) Write your personal statement that explains why you failed to meet SAP standards, what has changed and/or the steps you are taking to meet SAP standards by the end of the semester. Submit documentation to support your appeal If you have an Academic Plan on your to-do list, meet with your assigned academic advisor to complete an Academic Plan Submit completed appeal to Financial Aid

Personal Statement You must submit a signed typewritten statement describing: The reasons/circumstances why you are not meeting SAP standards. Be as specific as possible. Explain all F’s, Withdrawals and Incompletes (provide a copy of your incomplete contract). How your circumstances have changed that will allow you to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards. Outline the specific steps you are taking to get back on track. Attach documentation to support your appeal

INDICATE REASON/CIRCUMSTANCES EXAMPLES OF SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION Personal Statement Examples of Extenuating Circumstances p INDICATE REASON/CIRCUMSTANCES EXAMPLES OF SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION   Student’s own mental or physical illness, injury or disability Letter from health care provider Dates of hospital stays Discharge paperwork Death of a family member or significant person in your life (list your relationship to the deceased) Death certificate Obituary Memorial/funeral service pamphlet Divorce/Separation of Parents or Student Divorce Decree Separation paperwork Letter from attorney Any other official court documents Family financial hardships Letter from employer Serious illness or injury of a family member Letter from family member’s health care provider or social worker stating the need for student to be a caregiver Legal obligations/circumstances Copy of police reports Copy of court documents Victim of Assault or Domestic Violence Copy of restraining order(s) Letter from a Social Worker or other professional familiar with the case Other Personal Circumstances Provide supporting documentation

Deadlines SAP Deadlines Fall SAP Appeals: October 1st Spring SAP Appeals: April 1st Summer SAP Appeals July 1st Important University Deadlines – Spring 2019 Add/Drop: February 4th Pass/Fail, Withdrawal: April 19th

Academic Plan Only complete the academic plan if noted on your WISER to-do list Download academic plan from financial aid website: https://finaid.umb.edu/apply/forms. Schedule a 1 hour appointment with your advisor See first page of academic plan for advisor/success center information) Please do not attempt to complete your plan during a walk-in session The academic plan is a contract, you must adhere to the plan. Please contact your advisor if you need to make any changes. You will NOT receive financial aid if your appeal is not approved. If approved, you must follow your academic plan to continue receiving financial aid.

Where to complete your academic plan College Affiliation Location Students readmitted through the Standards & Credits process (CLA, CSM, SFE, ECHD, CPCS) Office of Undergraduate Studies Campus Center, 1st floor, room 1300. 617-287-6360 Undeclared students, Colleges of Liberal Arts & Science and Math University Advising Center, Campus Center, 1st floor, room 1100, 617-287-5500 College of Liberal Arts declared students CLA Advising Office, Wheatley Building, 2nd floor, Suite 4, 617-287-5721 http://umb.edu/claadvising College of Science & Mathematics declared students CSM Success Center, Science Building, 2nd floor, room 60, 617-287-4846 https://www.umb.edu/academics/csm/student_success_center College of Management students with fewer than 60 credits College of Management students with more than 60 credits CM Student Services, McCormack Building, 5th floor, room 610, 617-287-7625 College of Education and Human Development Wheatley Building, 1st floor, room 51, 617-287-7625 College of Public and Community Services with less than 60 credits College of Public and Community Services with more than 60 credits Wheatley Building, 4th floor, room 151, 617-287-7100 College of Nursing and Health Sciences Science Building, 2nd floor, room 13, 617-287-7500 Student Support Services (SSS) Campus Center, 1st floor, room 1100, 617-287-5820

SAP Appeal Process Check your Wiser student center for information regarding your Financial Aid SAP Appeal Status For follow up questions, contact: Financial Aid Services Kim Fragopoulos Student Retention Specialist kim.fragopoulos@umb.edu Phone: 617.287.6341 Fax: 617-287-6323 Lena Quadros Senior Associate Director lena.quadros@umb.edu Phone: 617-287-6383 Fax: 617-287-6323

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. Students who are approved will be awarded based on available funding. 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 your appeal is denied. Consider setting up a payment plan with the Bursar’s Office

SAP Status Page in WISER

SAP Status Page in WISER – Appeal Approved

SAP Status Page in WISER – Appeal Denied

Resources Academic Support Services - CC-1-1300 Reading, Writing, Study Strategy Center, & Skills Workshops Healey Library, Quinn Administration Building Subject and Math tutoring University Advising Center – CC-1-1100 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

Questions?