As a condition of participating in federal student aid programs, Cal State L.A. is required to evaluate the academic progress of all financial aid applicants before releasing student aid funds.
Financial Aid SAP policy is similar but different than the University's policy for academic progress. Questions about SAP policy should be directed to Financial Aid and Scholarships; questions about the university's academic progress policies should be directed to Academic Advising.
Non-financial aid recipients awarded only scholarships, graduate assistantships, veteran’s benefits, stipends (excluding Cal Grant B stipend), or student assistant earnings must meet the eligibility requirements specific to those grant/fund programs.
SAP Policy Standards
Cumulative GPA - Students must maintain a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) specific to their academic program. The cumulative GPA measure includes all completed and attempted units at Cal State LA and all coursework from all other colleges and universities.
- Undergraduate (1st Bachelor's) = 2.0 GPA
- Post-Baccalaureate Programs (i.e. Credential) = 2.5 GPA
- Graduate Certificate, Master's & Doctorate = 3.0 GPA
Cumulative Pace of Completion - Students must complete a minimum of 66.67% of cumulative coursework attempted. The cumulative pace of completion determines the pace in which a student is progressing toward program completion. Pace is calculated by dividing the total number of credit hours completed (passed with units earned) by the total number of credit hours attempted.
Types of courses and credits included in the Pace calculation are:
- All Cal State LA courses enrolled including courses for which a W is posted
- All transferable courses from other colleges and universities
- Repeated coursework
- Consortium coursework, if applicable
- Coursework from Study Abroad programs
Types of courses and credits not included in the Pace Standard calculation are:
- Audited courses
- Credits earned through examinations (AP, IB and other test credits)
Maximum Time Frame for Degree Completion - Complete degree or certificate program within a maximum number of attempted units equal to 150% of the units required for the specific academic program.
Students are eligible to receive financial aid for a maximum number of attempted units equal to 150% of the units required for the degree program. All attempted units at Cal State LA and transfer units are counted whether or not financial aid was received. Be aware that some federal and state programs (i.e. Pell Grants and State University Grants) have additional limitations.
- Undergraduate = 180 attempted units
- Graduate/Masters = *45 attempted units
- Post - Baccalaureate (credential) = Based on individual program unit requirements
- Ed.D (Doctor of Education = 90 attempted units
- Doctor of Audiology = 171 attempted units
*Graduate courses 5960, 5970, 5990, 5995, and 6990 (or equivalent semester courses) may be certified as full-time (12 units) with a study load of fewer than 12 units. These courses are counted towards the maximum time frame standard at their certified full-time unit level.
Second Degree: Students pursuing a Second Baccalaureate degree, Second Master’s degree at Cal State LA, or are pursuing dual programs concurrently, will have reached the maximum time frame standard at an accelerated pace. As such, students must have their SAP status and aid eligibility reviewed individually by a financial aid administrator.
Double Major or minor: The maximum time frame calculation is based only on the primary major. Additional time is not granted for students pursuing a double major or minor.
Maintaining Eligibility
Warning Status: Students who do not meet the cumulative GPA standard and/or do not complete the number of units attempted for the first time may be placed on a financial aid “warning status” for one semester and may continue to receive financial aid for one payment period. Students who reach and/or exceed the maximum time frame standard are not eligible to receive a financial aid warning status and will be deemed ineligible to receive financial aid.
SAP Notice Status: Students who are placed on notice after having successfully appealed their ineligibility status will be reviewed at the end of the following payment period. Students on notice must meet the terms specified in their agreement. Unless otherwise stated in the agreement, all three SAP standards must be met upon completion of the notice period in order to be removed from notice status and be eligible for continued funding.
Consequences for not meeting SAP after a Warning or SAP Notice term: Students whose performance falls short in one or more of the three SAP standards during the notice or warning period will be deemed ineligible to receive financial aid.
Students may submit an appeal. If an appeal is approved, the student will continue to be on notice and satisfactory academic progress will be monitored based on the details of the academic plan provided. Students failing to maintain satisfactory academic progress based on an approved academic plan will not be permitted to submit additional appeals until the next academic year. The student may regain eligibility for financial aid if their progress allows them to meet all three Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.
SAP Appeal Process
Students deemed ineligible to receive financial aid for not meeting satisfactory academic progress (SAP) standards and have extenuating circumstances beyond their control may submit a SAP appeal to the Financial Aid Office. The deadline to submit an appeal is the last day of the term. Refer to Important Deadline section of FAS website for an official date. Appeals are reviewed in the order received. Students will receive notification of appeal determination by e-mail. Students awaiting a response are responsible for paying their tuition fees by the payment deadline specified in the Schedule of Classes. If the appeal is approved, the student will be placed on SAP Notice. Students on SAP Notice must either improve their academic performance to meet all SAP standards by the end of the notice term or will need to follow the specific details of an approved Academic Plan as specified in the approval communication.
Second Level SAP Appeal Process
The Second Level SAP Appeal process is available to students whose SAP Appeal was denied during the current term. Second level appeals are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Students will be provided with second level appeal submission instructions as part of their first level denial response from their Financial Aid Advisor. The second level SAP Appeal Committee’s decision is final for the duration of the academic year. The student is not be permitted to submit additional appeals until the next academic year. The student may also regain eligibility for financial aid if their progress allows them to meet all three Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.