Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
If you receive financial aid, you must meet and maintain the minimum "Satisfactory Academic Progress" (SAP) standard outlined by the Higher Education Act of 1965. Texas A&M International University applies this standard to all federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs to ensure a consistent policy for all students receiving financial assistance.
To review the TAMIU SAP Policy, Click here.
SAP Review Policy
Satisfactory Academic Progress is reviewed for all students enrolled in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Failure to meet SAP requirements during the review period may affect your eligibility for future financial aid.
To meet SAP, you must satisfy the following standards:
Academic Standards
You must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA as determined at the end of each semester for all credit hours attempted and transferred to TAMIU.
- Undergraduate students must maintain a 2.0 overall cumulative GPA.
- Graduate students must maintain a 3.0 overall cumulative GPA.
Completion Rate
Undergraduate students must successfully complete at least 67% of all attempted coursework. Your academic progress will be reviewed at the end of each semester.
Graduate students must successfully complete at least 50% of all attempted coursework. Your academic progress will be reviewed at the end of each semester.
Formula for Completion Rate:
Overall Earned Hours ÷ Overall Attempted Hours = Percentage of Earned Coursework
The following count as both attempted and earned in the SAP calculation:
- Successfully completed courses with grades “A+” through “D-”
- “CR” or credit earned for pass/fail courses
- All transfer hours used towards your degree
The following count as attempted but not earned in the SAP calculation:
- “F” grades
- “W” or withdrawn courses
- “IN” or incomplete courses
Example:
If you attempt 75 semester credit hours overall (including transfer hours), you must have successfully completed at least 60 semester credit hours (60 ÷ 75 = 80%) to meet the SAP completion rate requirement.
Maximum Time Frames
Students are expected to complete degree requirements in a timely manner, and aid will be available for up to the following number of attempted hours. The total number of semester credit hours you attempt cannot exceed those designated in the TAMIU Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy. This includes all periods of enrollment, whether financial aid was received, and hours transferred from other institutions. If your attempted credit reaches the standard timeframe, you will no longer be eligible for financial aid.
TAMIU standard timeframes:
- First bachelor's degree: 180 hours
- First master's degree: 75 hours
- First doctoral degree: 114 hours
Financial Aid Warning and Suspension
After each semester’s SAP review, you will be placed on Financial Aid Warning for the next semester if you are not meeting SAP. While on Financial Aid Warning, you will still be eligible for financial aid, but you will have one semester to return to good standing.
If you do not return to good standing by the end of the warning semester, you will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension, which means you will lose your eligibility for financial aid for the upcoming semester. Financial aid eligibility includes but is not limited to, grants, loans, work-study, scholarships, and some tuition and fee exemptions.
If your financial aid eligibility is suspended, you may appeal the decision by submitting an SAP Appeal if you believe extenuating circumstances contributed to your failure to meet SAP. The Office of Financial Aid will notify you of the appeal decision via your TAMIU email address.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals
A Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal for financial aid is a formal request that students submit when they do not meet the academic standards required to maintain eligibility for financial aid.
All students whose Financial Aid has been suspended due to not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAPP) requirements may submit an appeal. The submission of an appeal is only a request for review and does not guarantee a change in status. Appeals will only be evaluated for students with a complete financial aid folder.
Reasons for Appeal can be for one or more of the following items:
- TAMIU Overall GPA.
- PACE Percentage of Completion of Hours Earned vs Hours Attempted.
- Maximum Timeframe of Attempted Hours.
All students must include the following items:
Statement: Please provide a detailed statement regarding the situation (s) that prevented you from maintaining satisfactory academic progress. (Examples: extenuating medical/personal issues, change in field of study, dual major, transferred hours not counted, etc.). Also, include how your situation has changed, and this will allow you to demonstrate improvement in your Satisfactory Academic Progress. (Examples: attending tutoring, adjusted work schedule, reduction in course schedule, etc.)
Documentation: The appeal can include documentation to support your statement, such as medical records, death certificates, or other relevant information.
Advisor Questionnaire: Setup an appointment with your Academic Advisor to discuss and fill the Academic Advisor Questionnaire
To submit a SAPP Appeal, you need to log in to your Uconnect account and access Verify My FAFSA. To view a step-by-step guide, click here.
Students are notified of the committee’s decision via their Dusty email address.
SAPP Appeal Deadlines
| Fall Semesters | August 15th |
| Spring Semesters | January 10th |
| Summer Semesters | First Class Day of Term |
| Fall Semesters | Mid-Semester of Term |
| Spring Semesters | Mid-Semester of Term |
| Summer Semesters | Mid-Semester of Term |
| For Part of Terms | Mid-Semester of Term |
Senator Judith Zaffirini Student Success Center (ZSC) 214
5201 University Blvd.
Laredo, TX 78041