Satisfactory Academic Progress

To receive federal student aid and the Ohio College Opportunity Grant at Wright State University, federal regulations require you meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements.

On this page:

SAP Policy

To maintain satisfactory academic progress, undergraduate students and graduate/doctoral students must meet SAP requirements. All students enrolled in courses will be evaluated for SAP. This includes courses taken while not receiving Title IV financial aid.

The Office of Financial Aid will evaluate your academic history annually, at the end of every spring term, to ensure you are meeting SAP requirements. This evaluation includes courses taken during the previous summer term. If you fail SAP requirements, you will be notified via Wright State email that you may access your SAP status in WINGS Express.

Wright State University's SAP Policy is used to determine your financial aid eligibility only. It does not reflect your academic standing for continued enrollment in your program of study.

SAP Requirements

You must meet the following SAP requirements to maintain your eligibility for federal student aid.

1. Cumulative GPA

  • Undergraduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
  • Graduate/doctoral students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • Boonshoft School of Medicine and School of Professional Psychology students must meet all academic stipulations defined by their professional program of study.

       Please note:

  • Repeat coursework does not impact your cumulative GPA for SAP purposes.
  • Incomplete coursework does not impact your cumulative GPA for SAP purposes until the grade is finalized. Once finalized, it will be factored into the SAP calculation during the next formal review of SAP.
  • Remedial coursework does not impact your cumulative GPA for SAP purposes. However, you must earn a passing grade to remain satisfactory for academic progress.
  • Your overall cumulative GPA is used when reviewing SAP, regardless of whether you have a change in major or are pursuing a second degree. However, you can appeal to receive financial aid based on a change of major or pursuing a second degree.

2. Completion Rate (67 Percent Rule)

  • Undergraduate and graduate/doctoral students must earn 67 percent of their cumulative attempted credit hours. The percentage is calculated by dividing your total number of earned credit hours by your total number of attempted credit hours.

       Please note:

  • Attempted credit hours are those credit hours for which you have received a grade of A, B, C, D, F, I, K, M, N, P, U, W, NR, or X. Transfer credit hours and repeated coursework are included in your total attempted credit hours. The attempted hours for a course in which you receive an M grade will be added to your total earned credit hours.
  • Incomplete coursework is included in hours attempted. However, they are not considered hours earned until the grade is finalized.
  • Remedial coursework is included in hours attempted, However, you must receive a passing grade to include in earned hours.
  • Your overall cumulative hours attempted and hours earned are used when reviewing SAP, regardless of whether you have a change in major or are pursuing a second degree. However, you can appeal to receive financial aid based on a change of major or pursuing a second degree.

3. Maximum Timeframe (150 Percent Rule)

You must complete your program of study within 150 percent of the timeframe required to earn your degree. The maximum timeframe is 150 percent of the typical number of hours needed to complete degree requirements.

Student Level and/or Degree Program Maximum Number
of Total Attempted Credit Hours
Undergraduate/Associate Degree 90 semester hours
Undergraduate/Bachelor's Degree 180 semester hours
Graduate/Doctoral/Professional Dependent upon program length. Graduate programs vary in length, so each program has different maximum timeframe calculation.

      Please note:

  • Attempted credit hours are those credit hours for which you have received a grade of A, B, C, D, F, I, K, M, N, P, U, W, NR, or X. Transfer credit hours and repeated coursework are included in your total attempted credit hours. The attempted hours for a course in which you receive an M grade will be added to your total earned credit hours.
  • Incomplete coursework is included in hours attempted. However, they are not considered hours earned until the grade is finalized.
  • Your overall cumulative hours attempted are used when reviewing SAP, regardless of whether you have a change in major or are pursuing a second degree. However, you can appeal to receive financial aid based on a change of major or pursuing a second degree.

SAP Status

You can check your SAP status in WINGS Express at any time. For step-by-step instructions on how to view your academic progress for federal student aid in WINGS Express, visit the WINGS Express Support Page.

SAP Statuses

  • Financial Aid Satisfactory: You have met SAP requirements for federal student aid purposes.
  • Financial Aid Unsatisfactory: You have not met SAP requirements and you are ineligible for federal student aid. You will remain ineligible for federal student aid unless you successfully appeal or re-establish your eligibility on your own. You are not eligible to receive federal student aid for any term in which you have been assigned an Unsatisfactory SAP status.
  • Financial Aid Probation: You have successfully appealed an Unsatisfactory SAP status and you are eligible for federal student aid for one term only. After the end of the term, you must meet academic progress plan requirements in order to qualify for federal student aid for subsequent terms. You are not eligible to receive federal student aid for those terms for which you are assigned an Unsatisfactory SAP status.

Financial Aid Programs Subject to SAP Policy

Common financial aid programs subject to Wright State University's SAP Policy include:


SAP Appeal Policy

If you do not meet SAP requirements, you may appeal to the Office of Financial Aid to be placed on Financial Aid Probation. 

SAP Appeal Guidelines

  • Only current Wright State University students may appeal.
  • You may appeal to receive federal student aid for one term only. You will be limited to a maximum of two (2) appeals per semester. Appeals must be submitted prior to the semester appeal deadline to be considered.
  • Appeals are reviewed by the Office of Financial Aid and all appeal decisions are final.
  • Appeals for Boonshoft School of Medicine MD Program are referred to the Special Promotions Committee (SPC). If you are in the MD program, please reach out to Michelle Feichtner for assistance with the appeal process.
  • Incomplete appeals will be denied.
  • You must check your Wright State University email and WINGS accounts for notifications and updates to the status of your financial aid, including your SAP appeal.

SAP Appeal Criterion

The SAP appeal process will require you:

  1. Submit the Online SAP Appeal Form via WINGS (For step-by-step instructions on how to access your financial aid information in WINGS , visit the WINGS Express Support Page). When completing this form you will be required to supply the following information:
  • A statement that explains the circumstance or reason you failed to meet SAP requirements.
  • A statement that explains what has changed in your situation that will now enable you to meet SAP requirements.
  • Documentation that supports your written statement(s). The documentation can be uploaded or you can indicate an alternative delivery method on the SAP Appeal Form. A statement of support must be signed by the person providing the support and must be printed on company letterhead. If the statement of support is from a Wright State University employee letterhead is not required. Support can be emailed from their official Wright State University email address.
    • If you had a mitigating circumstance (e.g., illness, injury, bereavement, etc.) that prevented you from meeting SAP requirements, you are encouraged to document the circumstance. Examples of acceptable documentation include a statement of support from a physician, counselor, or clergy; court documents; obituaries; etc. 
    • Examples of acceptable documentation include a statement of support from an academic advisor, faculty member, or tutor; academic transcripts from a transfer college; etc. Please note that a letter from your advisor would be appropriate if they are aware of your situation and can attest to the reason that you did not meet standards and the steps you are taking to be a successful student.
  • In addition, if you failed to meet the Maximum Timeframe SAP requirement (150 Percent Rule), you are required to work with your academic advisor to complete the SAP Appeal Maximum Timeframe Form. The Maximum Timeframe Form can be used as documentation if your advisor is indicating that you have changed your major, have a second/additional degree, or have transfer hours that are causing you to exceed 150% maximum timeframe. If your advisor marks there is another circumstance, additional supporting documentation is required.
  1. If you successfully appeal, you will be placed on Financial aid Probation for one term and must agree to an academic progress plan by the term's academic progress plan deadline in order to receive federal student aid for that one term. If you do not agree to an academic plan by the applicable deadline date, your Financial Aid Probation SAP status will be revoked and you will be reassigned to a Financial Aid Unsatisfactory SAP status.

SAP Appeal Deadlines

The Office of Financial Aid will accept online SAP appeals by term based on the following schedule. If you miss the deadline but your classes for the term have not ended, please reach out to Enrollment Services (RaiderConnect) for options.

Term Start Date for Appeals Deadline to Submit Appeals
Spring 2024 September 2, 2023 March 15, 2024
Summer 2024 March 16, 2024 May 31, 2024
Fall 2024 June 1, 2024 November 1, 2024
Spring 2025 November 2, 2024 March 28, 2025

Financial Aid Probation

If you successfully appeal, you must agree to an academic progress plan by the appeal term's academic progress plan deadline. You are required to submit an academic progress plan every term you are on financial aid probation. Once your appeal is approved, a link to complete the plan will be listed in WINGS Express as an eligibility requirement.

Term Academic Progress Plan Deadline
Spring 2024 March 25, 2024
Summer 2024 June 13 , 2024
Fall 2024 November 15, 2024
Spring 2025 April 11, 2025

While on Financial Aid Probation, you will only be eligible to receive federal student aid during your one probationary term and you must agree to the following academic progress plan.

Undergraduate Students

  • Earn at least a 2.0 term GPA
  • Earn 67 percent of their attempted hours for the term

Graduate/Professional Students

  • Earn at least a 3.0 term GPA
  • Earn 67 percent of their attempted hours for the term

The Office of Financial Aid will determine if you have adhered to your academic progress plan once your grades have posted for your probationary term. If you adhered to your academic progress plan, you will have your federal student aid reinstated for subsequent terms. If you did not adhere to your academic progress plan, you will be assigned an Unsatisfactory SAP status and will be ineligible to receive federal student aid at Wright State University. Your cumulative academic history will be evaluated for SAP requirements at the next annual evaluation.

Re-Establishing Eligibility

If you have been assigned a Financial Aid Unsatisfactory SAP status, you may re-establish your federal student aid eligibility on your own by taking classes to raise your cumulative GPA and/or Completion Rate without the use of financial aid or through grade changes. You should submit the Federal SAP appeal and a statement explaining that you have raised your GPA and/or Completion Rate to meet the SAP requirements and wish to have your financial aid reinstated.

If you are ineligible for federal student aid due to a Financial Aid Unsatisfactory SAP status, you may wish to consider applying for other types of financial aid, such as alternative loans.


Frequently Asked Questions

  • Where can I view my current SAP status?
    • Login to WINGS at http://wings.wright.edu
    • Click on the Financial Aid tile located under Your Launchpad
    • You have arrived on the Home Tab of the financial aid dashboard.
    • Select the appropriate Award Year from the drop-down list at the top right corner of the screen.
    • Select the Satisfactory Academic Progress tab. You will be able to view your current status for federal, state, and renewable institutional aid. If you are unsatisfactory, you can read about opportunities to appeal.
  • How long will the review process take for my SAP Appeal?

    Please allow 1-2 weeks for processing.  Please see the Important Dates page for information on document processing timelines.

  • My SAP Appeal was approved, but I chose to not attend that semester. Do I have to appeal again for the next semester I attend to be eligible for financial aid?

    Yes. The appeal is term specific. You must appeal again for the next semester you attend. 

  • My last SAP Appeal was approved, but I failed to meet the probation guidelines. May I appeal again?

    Yes. You may appeal again; however, you may not use the same circumstances or documentation described in your previous appeal(s).

  • My SAP Appeal was denied for this semester. May I appeal again?

    Students are limited to a maximum of two (2) appeals per semester. Appeals must be submitted prior to the semester appeal deadline to be considered.

  • I am pursuing a second bachelor’s/master’s degree. Why am I unsatisfactory for the Maximum Timeframe requirement?

    The Maximum Timeframe requirement includes all attempted credit hours for each grade level reported on your record. For example, if pursuing a second bachelor’s degree, your hours reported from your first bachelor’s degree are included in the determination. You are encouraged to submit a SAP appeal.

  • I am required to submit a Maximum Timeframe Form with my appeal. Do I have to submit separate documentation with my appeal too?

    Documentation may or may not be required depending upon how your academic advisor completes the form. If your advisor indicates you are over the maximum timeframe because you transferred hours, changed major, or are pursuing a second/additional degree, you are not required to submit separate documentation with your appeal. However, if your advisor indicates "Other Circumstances" or does not indicate a reason, you will need to submit separate supporting documentation with your appeal.

  • I am transferring to Wright State. Are my transfer credit hours included in my SAP status?

    Yes. Your transfer hours are included in the calculation to determine your Completion Rate and toward the Maximum Timeframe. Transfer hours do not impact your Cumulative GPA.

  • My SAP Appeal was approved, but I did not submit my academic progress plan by the deadline date. What happens to my appeal?

    Your appeal will be denied if the academic progress plan is not received by the deadline date.

  • I am returning to Wright State under the Fresh Start Policy. Do I have to submit a separate SAP Appeal to get financial aid?

    Yes. Returning under the Fresh Start Policy does not change your SAP status.

  • I am reenrolling at Wright State under the Second Start Policy. Do I still need to submit a SAP Appeal to get financial aid?

    Yes. Returning under the Second Start Policy does not change your SAP status.

  • Does my SAP status at Wright State University transfer to other schools?

    No. A student's SAP status at Wright State University does not transfer to another school. Students who do not meet one or more of Wright State's SAP requirements are only ineligible for federal student aid at Wright State University.

  • Who do I contact if I am having trouble submitting the online SAP Appeal?

    Please call CaTS (Information Technology) at 937-775-4827 if the issue is a technical issue. For all other inquiries, contact Enrollment Services (RaiderConnect) at 937-775-4000.

  • Is there a separate SAP appeal process for scholarships?

    Yes. It is important to note that it is possible for a student to have a scholarship SAP issue and a Federal Student Aid SAP issue at the same time. If a student has been notified of an issue with both SAP policies, they must submit an appeal for each issue. For more information on appealing an unsatisfactory Scholarship SAP status, please visit our Scholarship SAP appeal page.