To be eligible to receive financial aid, Federal regulations require that you must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward an approved, eligible academic program. Three components of your academic record determine whether you are maintaining satisfactory academic progress: course completion, grade point average (GPA) and maximum eligibility. The requirements in each area vary according to your status as an undergraduate or graduate student, your school/college of enrollment, and your enrollment status (full-time, half-time, or less than-half-time). This federal policy affects your eligibility for assistance from the following aid programs:
- Federal: Federal Work-Study, Federal Pell Grant, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Direct PLUS Loan (parent loan), Federal Supplemental educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Family Education Loan Program, Federal Direct Loan Program
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SAP Criteria
Completion Ratio
Your enrollment status is reviewed at the end of each academic year to verify that you have earned the required minimum number of credits during fall and spring semesters. You are required to complete at least 70% of all attempted hours of coursework each academic year.
Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)
As an undergraduate student, your cumulative grade point average (GPA) will be reviewed at the end of each academic year of attendance. You will be placed on Financial Aid Probation if your cumulative GPA is less than a 2.00 following the completion of your first academic year (fall and spring). After your second academic year (fourth semester of attendance), you must have achieved a 2.00 cumulative GPA or your financial aid eligibility will be suspended. Undergraduate students are also required to maintain a 2.00 GPA each academic year of attendance, thereafter. Graduate students are required to maintain the GPA as required by their chosen program of study.
Maximum Eligibility
You will maintain financial aid eligibility for a specified period of time. Undergraduate and graduate students must complete their chosen academic program within 150 percent of the number of credit hours required for graduation or successful completion. (For example, an undergraduate student may attempt a maximum of 191 credit hours for a program requiring 127 hours for graduation.)
Undergraduate students will be notified when they are within 24 credit hours, and graduate students within 18 credit hours of reaching the expiration of their financial aid eligibility. You must continue your studies at your own expense when you have reached your maximum eligibility.
Financial Aid Probation
Financial aid probation will occur for your next academic year of attendance if you fail to earn the minimum number of credits and/or the GPA required. You may continue to receive financial aid while on financial aid probation.
Financial Aid Suspension
Your financial aid eligibility will be suspended if you fail to earn the required overall cumulative credits or achieve the required GPA while on financial aid probation. You will no longer be eligible to receive financial aid to attend Xavier University. To reinstate your financial aid eligibility, you must enroll and successfully complete, at your own expense, a semester at the University as a matriculating student.
Academic Suspension
You are not eligible to receive financial aid if you have been de-matriculated (academically suspended) from the University. When you have been readmitted by the University, you must complete the SAP appeal process. Your financial aid eligibility status will be determined based on the SAP criteria, through a review of your academic transcript.
Exclusions
The following types of registration and grades cannot be used to fulfill probation, suspension or re-matriculation requirements: credits by special exam, Advanced Placement or CLEP exams, distance education or correspondence courses for which you have not obtained prior approval, audit, withdrawal, incomplete and zero credit courses.
Appeal Process
Students whose financial aid eligibility has been suspended due to failure to meet the above criteria 
may appeal their ineligibility if there are mitigating circumstances. Mitigating circumstances are defined as a change in grades or major, serious illness or injury, death of a family member or similar traumatic event. The appeal must be filed in writing within six weeks of notification of ineligibility. Students who appeal must use the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal Form . All appeals must include supporting documentation (grade or major change form/s, doctor’s statement, death certificate, etc.) and an academic plan to regain eligibility. The appeal may not be based on the student’s need for the funds nor the lack of knowledge that eligibility for financial aid was in jeopardy. The Financial Aid Appeal Committee will review the appeal within two weeks of the deadline for filing all appeals provided all necessary documentation has been submitted; the students will be notified of the committee’s decision by mail. The Committee will not review Appeal Forms that are incomplete and/or lacking the required verification.The completed SAP Appeal Form should be sent to:
SAP Appeal Committee
c/o Office of Academic Affairs
Xavier University of Louisiana
Box 94
1 Drexel Drive
New Orleans, LA 70125.
If the appeal is denied, the student may continue at his/her expense in order to regain his/her eligibility. Students will automatically be reinstated once they have completed an academic year with Satisfactory Academic Progress.
For additional information, students should refer to the web or the Financial Aid Publication on Satisfactory Academic Progress
