The Cal State San Bernardino Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP) Policy details the academic progress you must maintain to continued eligibility to receive financial aid. SAP policies and procedures may change from year to year based on Federal Title IV Regulations. The Financial Aid SAP Policy may differ from academic regulations.
Eligibility
To be eligible for financial aid at Cal State San Bernardino, students must meet the SAP requirements which support the University's mission and strategic plan.
To be eligible for financial aid, a student must:
- Meet the GPA requirements based on academic class level, and
- Successfully earn the attempted number of units for his/her status, and
- Successfully complete degree within the allowable unit/term cap.
Credential and Other Post-Baccalaureate Students
A full-time credential or second bachelor's student is defined as a student enrolled in 12 units per academic term. The unit requirement for half time is defined as 6 units per term.
Graduate/Doctoral Students
A full-time graduate or doctoral student is defined as a student enrolled in 6 units of graduate level coursework (5000 level or above) per academic term. The unit requirement for half time is defined as 3 units of graduate level coursework (5000 or above) per term.
Graduate students must complete a minimum of 66.6% of their attempted coursework, and earn a minimum 3.0 GPA per term to maintain eligibility for financial aid.
NOTE: At the end of each term, your academic progress will be assessed to determine eligibility for the upcoming term. If you fail to meet the SAP standards, you will be notified via email and will not be eligible for financial aid thereafter.
| Meets SAP Credential ⁄ Second B.A | Meets SAP Graduate |
|---|---|
| 85%-Above | 66.6% |
Percentage is calculated at the end of the academic year, by the number of earned units divided by the number of units attempted.
Do you want to know if you're meeting the unit requirement, use the Unit Calculator.
Unit Calculator
See Pass and Fail examples -- Unit Calculator Examples
The student must complete his or her educational program within a time frame no longer than 150 percent of the published length of the educational program, as measured by credits attempted and including transfer credits (for example, the student must complete his or her program after attempting a maximum of 54 credits for a 36 credit program).
| Program | Meets SAP GPA |
|---|---|
| Credential | 2.3-Above |
| 2nd BA | 2.0-Above |
| Graduate | 3.0-Above |
Duration of Eligibility
A post-baccalaureate student is defined as one who has received a bachelor's degree. Post-baccalaureate students pursuing a degree or credential are limited up to a maximum of 8 terms with or without financial aid for completion of degree objective.
Grading and Acceptable Coursework
The following grades will count as units attempted with zero units earned. The letter grade RP/SP will be acceptable as completed course work for the calendar year or until the grade is changed, whichever occurs first.
| Letter Grade | Meaning/Description |
|---|---|
| F | Failing |
| FW | Failed, Withdrew |
| W | Withdrawn |
| WU | Withdrawn Unauthorized |
| UW | Unofficial Withdrawal |
| I | Incomplete Authorized |
| IC | Incomplete Charged |
| AU | Audit |
| WZ | Wait Adjusted Failed |
| NC | No Credit |
| RD | Report Delayed |
| WE | Withdrawn extenuating circumstances |
Grade changes
If your grade changes, please notify the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
Course repetitions
A student may retake a previously passed course, one time. For this purpose, passed means any grade higher than an “F”. Otherwise, a course may be repeated until a passing grade of D- or higher has been received.
Disqualification or Dismissal
Any student who has been academically disqualified or dismissed from the University is not eligible for financial aid.
Regaining Eligibility
Students, who do not meet the Cal State San Bernardino Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy requirements, will lose eligibility for financial aid. For further information on how to regain financial aid eligibility, please read the Satisfactory Academic Progress Procedures by clicking on the link provided below.