SAP Appeal for Financial Aid Probationary Status

Federal financial aid regulations require students to demonstrate Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward an eligible degree or certificate program to qualify to receive financial assistance. SAP eligibility standards are based on GPA and course completion statistics and are separate from the standards used by the college for determining academic probation and/or dismissal.

Rhode Island College's SAP policy allows students who fail to meet the standards to request a Probationary status on the basis of significant extenuating circumstances affecting their emotional and/or physical health relating to maintaining academic progress. Probationary status grants students eligibility to receive financial aid while working toward compliance with SAP requirements.

If you are no longer eligible for financial aid assistance due to one or more of the following federal requirements, you may submit a SAP appeal:

Not meeting the minimum cumulative GPA requirement for the number of credits you have attempted.
Not meeting the minimum course completion percentage for the number of credits you have attempted.
Attempted 180 or more credits toward your first bachelor’s degree.
Close to exceeding the 180-credit limit on attempted course work at the end of this upcoming semester.

Students approved for this status who do not complete 100% of all of their courses and earn a term GPA of at least a 2.0 will be considered in violation of their Probation resulting in the loss of financial aid in future terms. Additional SAP appeals with the same extenuating circumstances will not be considered and cannot be applied retroactively.

Deadlines to appeal are as follows:

Summer 2026 Semester - May 22, 2026

Fall 2026 Semester - August 28, 2026

Name:

Student ID #:

Use the space below to explain the extenuating circumstances, such as illness, injury, or disability, that contributed to your inability to meet the standards of satisfactory academic progress:

Explain what has changed in your circumstances that would now enable you to meet satisfactory academic progress standards at the next evaluation:

Supporting Documentation

By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read the Rhode Island College Satisfactory Academic Progress policy and understand that if I am approved for financial aid Probation through the SAP appeal process, I will be required to meet all conditions of Probation in order for my aid eligibility to continue into subsequent semesters or risk financial aid award cancellation:

Student Signature:

Date:

Date

By submitting this completed form, I understand that I am electronically signing this form in accordance with the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, 15 U.S.C.A. § 7001.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal