You must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in order to remain eligible for financial aid. SAP is evaluated annually at the conclusion of the spring semester once grades are available. Students not meeting SAP will be notified in writing and will have the opportunity to appeal the revocation of their award.
Academic Appeals
All questions regarding academic records and all requests for changes to records must be made to the academic departments and teaching units. The Academic Regulations of American University describe the petition process. The Financial Aid office has no authority to alter the academic record.
Financial Aid Appeals
The Financial Aid Office understands that mitigating factors may have affected your ability to successfully complete your course work. Students with extenuating circumstances may submit an appeal in writing to the Financial Aid Office. Your appeal letter should include any circumstances that you feel may have adversely affected your ability to meet your academic requirements. The Financial Aid Appeals Committee will review SAP appeals in late June. You will be notified in writing of the committee's decision.
An appeal must include the following:
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Detailed description of the extenuating circumstances that prevented you from maintaining SAP.
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Detailed description of the course of action you will be taking over the next year to ensure that you are able to maintain SAP.
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Supporting documentation from at least two qualified persons who can verify your information.
An appeal of the maximum time frame must include the following:
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Plan of study indicating the remaining courses needed to graduate, when they will be taken, and the anticipated graduation date.
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Letter from academic advisor and/or copy of approved extension of candidacy (graduate students).
Attempted Credits versus Completed Credits
For undergraduate and graduate students, credits count as completed successfully when a grade of A, B, C, D or P has been given.
The following grades are considered attempted but NOT completed successfully:
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In Progress (IP) courses are excluded from the calculation in the initial academic progress evaluation. Students have one calendar year from the beginning of the course to complete the course successfully. If not completed in that time frame, the course counts as credits attempted not earned, factored as an "F."
Undergraduate Merit Scholarships
Undergraduate students receiving merit scholarships must maintain the following minimum criteria in order to renew their scholarship from year to year.
- GPA = 3.2
- Credits = 30 credits completed successfully per year
- Maximum time frame for incoming freshman = 4 years or 8 semesters
- Maximum time frame for transfer students = 2 years or 4 semesters
Undergraduate Federal Aid and Institutional AU Grant
Undergraduate students receiving federal aid or institutional need-based aid must maintain the following minimum criteria in order to renew their aid from year to year.
- GPA = 2.0*
- Credits = 24 credits completed successfully per year
- Maximum time frame = 6 years or 180 credits
* The Federal ACG Grant and Federal SMART Grant require a GPA of 3.0 to renew the award.
Graduate Financial Aid
Merit Scholarships
Merit scholarships are administered by the graduate departments and SAP requirements will vary. Contact your graduate academic advisor for more information about the renewal requirements for your graduate merit awards.
Federal Financial Aid
Graduate students receiving federal aid must maintain the following minimum criteria in order to renew their aid from year to year.
- GPA = 3.0
- Credits = Must successfully complete at least 80% of attempted credits.
- Maximum time frame = 3 years for MA, 4.5 years for MBA, 5 years for Ph.D., 7 years for combine program - Master's and Ph.D.
