Satisfactory Academic Progress

What is Satisfactory Academic Progress?

UMBC is required by federal regulations to monitor if a student is making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in order to maintain aid eligibility. This calculation determines if a student is maintaining a minimum standard GPA and making steady progress toward degree completion. Students who do not meet the SAP requirements may lose their financial aid eligibility.

SAP includes three separate criteria standards:

UMBC calculates grade point averages by assigning numerical values to letter symbols:

  • A = 4 quality points
  • B = 3 quality points
  • C = 2 quality points
  • D = 1 quality point
  • F = 0 quality points

The semester grade point average is determined by multiplying the credit value of each course by the numerical equivalent of each grade to produce a quality point total and then dividing total quality points by total credit hours attempted in courses that are included in the GPA. The same method is used to compute cumulative grade point averages.

Courses that are included in the GPA calculation are, in general, courses taken in residence at UMBC for academic credit and for which a letter grade has been earned.

Students are expected to successfully complete a certain percentage (based on grade level) of courses attempted to be meeting this standard.

This percentage is calculated by dividing the number of credits successfully completed (courses where a score of A, B, C, D, P, or S)  by the number of credits attempted.  For example, if a student has successfully completed 36 credit of their attempted 50 credits (30÷50=0.72 or 72%).

 Student may not attempt more than 150% of the credits required to receive an degree (for example, 120 credits required X 1.5 = a maximum of 180 credits may be attempted).

Students must be meeting all three standards in order to be meeting SAP. See below for specific undergraduate and graduate requirements.

When is progress evaluated?
SAP is calculated and evaluated at the conclusion of each semester once grades are finalized (including summer and winter sessions). Students may recognize this as a change since prior to the 25/26 academic year, UMBC calculated SAP annually in June. Students who do not have a FAFSA on file when SAP is evaluated will have their progress evaluated once their FAFSA is received by the university.

What’s included when determining progress?

Credit hours attempted include all classes where the following grades were earned: A, B, C, D, F, I, P, S, U, W, WX and all grades earned each time a course was repeated. Grades received for remedial, ESL, academic amnesty, and institutional credit courses are included in the number of attempted credits, but are not included in your GPA.

Credit hours attempted in each semester that you enroll will be counted, even the semesters when you do not receive financial aid. Test scores and transfer credits from other institutions accepted by UMBC are included in your total number of credits attempted and completed.

Undergraduate Requirements

GPA: Undergraduate students remain in good academic standing by earning a minimum GPA of 2.0 (2.0=C) or better on a 4.0 scale. Some financial aid programs may have standards that are more stringent. In those cases the program standards will supersede UMBC’s requirements.

Pace: This is calculated by dividing the number of credits successfully completed (courses where a score of A, B, C, D, P, or S)  by the number of credits attempted.  For example, if a student has successfully completed 36 credits of their attempted 50 credits (30÷50=0.72 or 72%). Your progress towards degree completion (also called “pace”) will be evaluated using the following standard:

Total Number of
Attempted Credits		 Minimum Percentage of Attempted
Courses Completed for SAP
0 – 29 50%
30 – 59 60%
60+ 67%

Maximum Credit Attempts: As an undergraduate student, to remain eligible for financial aid you may not attempt more than 150% of the credits required to receive an undergraduate degree (i.e.: 120 credits required X 1.5 = a maximum of 180 credits may be attempted).

This calculation includes all accepted transfer/test score credits and those that would be attempted for a second major or area of concentration (minor).

Graduate Requirements

Graduate students remain in good academic standing by maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and by successfully completing at least 67% of all enrolled courses. In the event that your program of study requires a higher GPA it will supersede the minimum listed in this procedure. Graduate students must also complete their program within the timeframe established in their Degree Requirements as outlined in the Graduate School catalog and may not attempt more than 150% of the credits required to complete their program.

Additional Information