The Cal State San Bernardino Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP) details the academic progress you must maintain for 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
- Meet the two-year GPA requirement of a 2.0 if attending for two years or longer (equivalent of four terms or more), and
- Successfully earn the attempted number of units for his/her status, and
- Successfully complete degree within the allowable unit cap.
Undergraduate Students
A full-time undergraduate student is defined as a student enrolled in 12 units per academic term, 24 units for the standard academic year. The unit requirement for half time is defined as 6 units per term , 12 units per year.
NOTE: At the end of each term, your earned units will be assessed; and your grades will be reviewed. A percentage will be calculated of all earned units.
70% - above meets SAP
This percentage is calculated at the end of the academic year, with the number of earned units divided by the number of units attempted.
If 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
Overall Career Requirements
The student must complete his or her educational program within a timeframe 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 180 credits for a 120 credit program.
| Class Level | Meets SAP GPA |
|---|---|
| Freshman (0-29.9 units) | 1.5-Above |
| Sophomore (30-59.9 units) | 1.7-Above |
| Junior (60-89.9 units) | 2.0-Above |
| Senior (90 units or more) | 2.0-Above |
In addition to the GPA for your class level, all students who have been attending for two years or longer (equivalent of four terms or more) will need to meet the two-year GPA requirement of a 2.0.
Use the GPA calculator to calculate your GPA or to simulate what grade(s) you would need to meet SAP requirements or the conditions of your appeal.
GPA Calculator
See GPA examples -- GPA Calculator Examples
Duration of Eligibility
The duration of financial aid eligibility for undergraduate students is up to 179 cumulative attempted units (including transfer units) with or without financial aid or the baccalaureate degree, whichever occurs first.
A student is allowed up to 30 units of remedial coursework. Successful completion of remedial courses will result in those units being applied to the unit requirement for satisfactory academic progress during an academic year.
Changing Majors
If you change majors, the credits you earn under all majors will be included in your GPA calculation, as well as your Maximum Time Frame attempted units. Changing majors does not “re-set” your SAP.
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 receive financial aid to 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.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Procedures