Federal regulations require that we establish and apply reasonable standards of satisfactory academic progress (SAP) for the purpose of awarding financial assistance under the Title IV programs authorized by the Higher Education Act of 1965 as amended (34 CFR 668.34). To comply with federal regulations governing SAP, Spelman has established, published, and applies both qualitative (grade-based) and quantitative (time related/pace) standards to ensure students are satisfactorily progressing toward their college degree. Spelman College monitors academic progress at the end of each semester.
SAP must be maintained in order to remain eligible to continue receiving federal, state and institutional financial aid. SAP progress is determined by measuring the student’s cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and the student’s rate of progress (SAP Pace) toward completion of the degree program. These are outlined below:
All students are expected to meet minimum CGPA requirements in order to be considered making satisfactory academic progress. Undergraduate students must maintain the following minimum CGPA as determined by the cumulative hours attempted throughout their enrollment (including transfer hours):
| Class | Cumulative Grade Point Average | Minimum Credit Hours Completed (Includes Transfer Credit) |
| First Year | 1.8 | 75% of hours attempted |
| Second Year | 2.0 | 75% of hours attempted |
| Third Year | 2.0 | 75% of hours attempted |
| Fourth Year | 2.0 | 75% of hours attempted |
| Fifth Year | 2.0 | 75% of hours attempted |
| Example: If a sophomore student has a 1.92 CGPA at the end of the semester. She is not meeting satisfactory academic progress requirements. | ||
In addition to the CGPA requirements, a full-time student must also successfully complete at least 75% of the overall hours attempted cumulatively (including transfer hours), in order to be considered to be making satisfactory academic progress. Part time students must successfully complete at least 50% of the overall hours attempted cumulatively (including transfer hours), to be considered to be making satisfactory academic progress. SAP pace will be computed by dividing the cumulative number of hours the student has successfully earned by the cumulative number of hours the student has attempted. The cumulative hours attempted are defined as those hours for which students are enrolled in the term and have incurred a financial obligation. As with the determination of CGPA, SAP pace will be reviewed at the end each term after grades have been posted to determine if the student is progressing satisfactorily.
Example: Full-time student transcript indicates that she has earned 27.5 hours and attempted 47.5 hours. This student has completed 58% of her overall hours; she is not meeting satisfactory academic progress requirements.
A student is not allowed to attempt more than 1.5 times, or 150%, of the number of hours in their degree program of study. The requirements for rate of progress are to ensure that students are progressing at a rate by which they will complete their program within the maximum allowable time frame. A sample of the maximum allowable attempted hours is noted below:
| Number of Hours in Degree Program | 150% of Degree Program | Maximum Allowable Attempted Hours |
| 120 | 1.5 (150%) | = 180 hours |
Grade reports are issued to students at the completion of each course. Grades are based on the quality of work as shown by learning deliverables as indicated on the course syllabus. Earned quality points are calculated for each course by multiplying the grade point value for the grade received for the course by the credit hour value of the course. For example, a 4-credit hour course with a grade of B would earn 12 quality points {credit hour value of course (4) multiplied by quality point value of B (3)}. The cumulative grade point average (CPGA) is calculated by dividing the total earned grade points by the total attempted hours.
| Letter Code | Description | Included in Hours | Included in Attempted Hours | Included in CGPA | Quality Points |
| A | A | Yes | Yes | Yes | 4.00 |
| A- | A- | Yes | Yes | Yes | 3.70 |
| B+ | B+ | Yes | Yes | Yes | 3.30 |
| B | B | Yes | Yes | Yes | 3.00 |
| B- | B- | Yes | Yes | Yes | 2.70 |
| C+ | C+ | Yes | Yes | Yes | 2.30 |
| C | C | Yes | Yes | Yes | 2.00 |
| C- | C- | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1.70 |
| D | D | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1.00 |
| S | Satisfactory | Yes | Yes | No | 0.00 |
| F | F | No | Yes | Yes | 0.00 |
| I | Incomplete | No | Yes | No | n/a |
| IP | In Progress | Yes | Yes | No | n/a |
| V | Audit | No | No | No | n/a |
| W | Withdrawal | No | Yes | No | n/a |
| WB | Web Withdrawal | No | Yes | No | n/a |
During a student’s matriculation at Spelman, a student could be assigned various status depending on their academic standing. After grades are posted at the end of each semester, student’s rate of progress will be reviewed to determine their SAP status for the purposes of receiving federal, state and institutional financial aid. Listed below are the SAP statuses that each student may be assigned:
1. Satisfactory Status – In compliance with policy
2. SAP Warning – First status assigned a student who is not SAP compliant
3. SAP Suspension – Assigned after it has been determined that a student is not SAP compliant - if their previous status was SAP Warning; students are allowed to appeal this decision in writing. Special or mitigating circumstances must exist to appeal.
4. SAP Probation – Assigned this status if appeal is approved; an approval of an appeal may only be granted for one semester. To submit an electronic appeal, please go to eTrieve. All appeals must be submitted by the deadline given. The appeal will then be forwarded to the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals Committee. The student should explain what type of circumstances contributed to the academic problem and what plans the student has to eliminate such problems in the future. Student must upload documentation to support appeal. The decision of the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals Committee is final and may not be further appealed.
5. SAP Probation Continued – Assigned this status if making progress toward returning to SAPcompliance, but may take one or more semesters before that happens.
6. Ineligible – Assigned this status only if after being placed on SAP Probation, student has notcomplied with their academic plan and is not making progress toward being back in compliance.As a result, the student will not be eligible to receive any additional federal, state and institutionalfinancial aid. Students are also assigned an ineligible status if their SAP appeal is denied.
Reinstatement of federal, state and institutional financial aid eligibility will only be granted when the student returns to SAP compliance.
All students not making satisfactory academic progress (SAP) will be notified via their Spelman College email account and/or by letter via mail after each semester once final grades have been submitted. Satisfactory Academic Progress status will also be posted to the student’s Banner Web account. Posting to Banner Web will occur as soon as possible after the SAP computations have been completed.
All decisions of the Satisfactory Academic Progress Committee are final and cannot be appealed further.