Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals

Federal regulations require that all students must maintain satisfactory academic progress. Pima must review the academic standing of each student on a regular basis.  Progress is reviewed at the end of each term. Reminder: summer session grades are not posted until after fall semester starts.

If you do not meet standards of academic progress, you will be placed on probation for a semester.  You will receive notification of your probation status via e-mail.  Once you are placed on probation, you must complete 100% of all credits that you enroll in with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 to continue your eligibility for the next term.  You will also be required to complete a financial aid workshop. 

If you continue not meeting academic progress standards, you will immediately be suspended from financial aid and be notified in writing. To attempt to regain eligibility, you may attend courses and pay for them on your own or with private funding.  

You may submit an appeal at any campus Financial Aid Office if you have extenuating circumstances that you feel prohibited you from maintaining satisfactory academic progress. The appeals form can be obtained online or from any Financial Aid Office.  Your appeal must include supporting documentation of your circumstances that contributed to your failure to maintain good academic standing.

To process an appeal, you must do the following:

• Download an Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal, or obtain one from any campus financial aid office.
• Be sure your name and student number are on all documents.
• Include a statement explaining the reason(s) why satisfactory progress was not made in the enrollment/period(s) in question.
• It is extremely important that you include documentation to support your statement. Examples: Letters from health providers, copies of medical bills showing health provider visits, any other statements or documentation to support your extenuating circumstance that prevented you from making satisfactory progress.  Your appeal will not be reviewed by the committee if documentation is not provided.
• Include your plan(s) for making satisfactory progress.
• A Pima Educational Plan signed by a counselor or advisor.
• If you have reached the maximum "time frame" for your program or degree, or if you have earned the maximum credit hours to complete your degree or certificate, you must submit with your appeal a graduation check signed by a counselor or advisor.
• Return your complete appeal packet to any campus Financial Aid Office.
• Appeals are reviewed by a committee.
• You will be informed of the committee's decision, in writing, within 10 business days of the committee meeting.   You can also check the status of your appeal on MyPima.

If you are not satisfied with the decision made, you have the right to appeal the decision to the Financial Aid Appeals Council.

• Your request for review of your appeal to the Council must be in writing to any campus Financial Aid Office.
• You will be notified of the Council’s decision in writing. Note: Council only meets once a month.
• The Council's decision is final.

Go to:  SAP Home | Hours Completed | Grades | Degree Completion | Appeals