What is the term used for the academic requirement that students must meet to maintain financial aid eligibility?

The term used for the academic requirement that students must meet to maintain financial aid eligibility is Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). SAP encompasses the standards that institutions set to ensure that students are successfully completing their educational programs and progressing toward degree completion.

Typically, these standards include maintaining a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA), completing a certain percentage of attempted coursework, and staying within a maximum timeframe to earn a degree. Institutions evaluate students’ progress at specific intervals, often at the end of each academic term, to determine continued eligibility for financial aid programs.

Meeting SAP is crucial for students, as failure to maintain these standards can result in the loss of financial aid, which is essential for many to afford their education. This concept is a standardized measurement across federally funded financial aid programs to ensure that federal resources are used effectively in supporting students’ educational goals.