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Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Students must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards to maintain eligibility for FAFSA funds.

The Basics

SAP monitors your academic work at the end of each semester in three categories:

  • GPA – Maintain a 2.0 comprehensive GPA (3.0 for graduate students) Comprehensive GPA is a combination of the Boise State cumulative GPA plus any remedial courses and grade exclusions
  • Pace (credits earned out of credits attempted) – Maintain 67% Pace Completion Complete at least 67% of your attempted credits with a grade of A, B, C, D, or P. Repeated credits and withdrawals will affect your Pace percentage.
  • Maximum Time (overall credits taken towards your degree) – Maximum Time Frame Requirement* Complete your program within 150% of the published program’s required credits. *Credit amounts are determined based on attempted, not completed.

Failing to Meet Standards

If you fail to meet any of the three standards, you will see a Hold on your Student Center.

  • For the Maximum Time standard, the Hold will prevent you from receiving federal financial aid (without a warning semester).
  • For the GPA and Pace standards, the first time you fall below the standard, you will receive a Warning Hold and can be eligible for financial aid during your one warning semester. If you fail to meet the SAP standards for GPA and/or Pace after two semesters, a Hold will prevent you from receiving federal financial aid. Learn more about SAP warning for GPA and Pace.

This review happens regardless of whether or not you receive financial aid.

SAP holds do not impact registration. You can still enroll in classes and pay out-of-pocket or with some alternative loans.

Check your SAP Status

  1. Log into myBoiseState
  2. Check your internet settings to allow pop-up screens
  3. Go to your Student Center
  4. Select the Student Homepage tile
  5. Select the Financial Aid tile
  6. Select SAP Status
SAP Status tab in Boise State account

Regain Your Financial Aid Eligibility

You can regain financial aid eligibility after a SAP hold in one of two ways:

If your SAP appeal is approved, you are placed on a SAP academic plan. On an academic plan, you may continue receiving financial aid while you work to meet SAP standards. Failure to meet your academic plan requirements would result in another SAP hold.

For further information, refer to our Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.

Potential Delays in Receiving Aid

If you have a financial aid warning or approved Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) appeals resulting in SAP Academic Plans, you will have a longer delay in receiving funds the following term because all of the previous term grades need to be checked before federal student aid can be released.