SAP Appeal Process

If you are not meeting SAP standards, you may submit an appeal to be considered for financial aid probation. Your appeal must describe the circumstance(s) that impacted your ability to meet SAP standards as well as outline your plans and ability to succeed in future semesters and bring yourself within standards. Appeal circumstances may include injury or illness, death of a relative, caring for ill relatives, or other special circumstances that impacted your academic success.  If you choose to submit an appeal, complete both the Appeal and the Academic Plan.

Students who have been readmitted to the university should check out SAP for Readmitted Students.

Submitting an Appeal

Both the Appeal and Academic Plan must be completed and submitted electronically by the specified semester deadline for consideration.

Step 1: Submitting the SAP Appeal:

  1. The appeal form will request that you share the reason(s) you failed to meet SAP standards and explain what has changed to ensure that you will be successful in the future.
    • Please note: Contents of this appeal are confidential. However, we are concerned for your well-being. In an instance where someone’s well-being appears at risk, our staff will consult with the appropriate UMBC personnel.
  1. A copy of your most recent transcript is required to be attached to the electronic appeal form.
  2. Optionally, you may include supporting documentation for the circumstance(s) discussed in your appeal letter – time frames on your documentation should match the time frames of the circumstance(s) described in your letter. For example:
      • If an immediate family member passed away, include an obituary or death certificate.
      • For medical issues, include a completed SAP Medical Documentation Form. For confidentiality, please do not submit copies of your medical records.
      • For an employment situation, include a signed and dated statement from your employer on company letterhead.
      • For an auto accident, include a police report and/or a completed SAP Medical Documentation Form.

Step 2: Submitting the SAP Academic Plan:

  1. The Academic Plan  will request an outline of your coursework for each semester through graduation.
    • It is highly recommended that you schedule an appointment with your advisor to discuss your academic plan.
    • If you are unsure of who your advisor is, you may contact the departmental advising coordinator.
  2. It will require you to include your Academic Advisor’s email address. Your plan will be forwarded to your advisor for review and comments.
  3. Once your advisor has reviewed your Academic Plan, you will be emailed a final copy of your plan and advisor’s comments.

Please keep in mind that submission of a SAP appeal does not guarantee that your appeal will be approved. SAP decisions rendered by the SAP Appeals Committee are final and cannot be appealed. You will be responsible for payment of your bill by the due date for any outstanding charges even if your appeal decision is pending.

 

Information for Academic Advisors reviewing SAP Academic Plans.

If currently dismissed or suspended from UMBC

You must be readmitted to the university before an appeal decision can be made. For best consideration, submit your appeal by the stated deadline while awaiting your decision for reinstatement and contact your Financial Aid Counselor once you have been readmitted.

You should keep in mind that reinstatement to the university does not guarantee receipt of financial aid.

SAP Appeal Timeline

Mid-June 2024
  • SAP calculations for students with a 2024-2025 FAFSA on file.
    • Students without a FAFSA will have their calculation completed once a FAFSA is received.
  • Students not meeting standards are notified via email and appeal documents are accessible.
July 18, 2024
  • Submit all appeal documents (appeal and plan) by this date if intending to use Federal Direct Student or Parent PLUS loans for summer.
  • Submit all appeal documents (appeal and plan) by this date to appeal for fall aid and receive an emailed decision prior to the start of fall classes.
  • Decisions are rolling; earlier appeals receive earlier decisions.
  • Note: a fall decision may be delayed if the appeals committee is awaiting summer grades.
October 1, 2024
  • Submit all appeal documents (appeal and plan) by this date to appeal for fall aid and receive an emailed decision prior to October 31st.
  • Decisions are rolling; earlier appeals receive earlier decisions.
January 7, 2025
  • Submit all appeal documents (appeal and plan) by this date to appeal for spring financial aid.
  • Decision notifications emailed before the start of spring semester.
  • Note: decision may be delayed if the appeals committee is awaiting fall or winter grades.

 

If you do not appeal by one of these dates, you will not have financial aid to assist you for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Students whose SAP appeals are approved with be placed on Financial Aid Probation for the upcoming year. Students placed on Financial Aid Probation must:

  • Enroll only in the courses outlined in their Academic Plan for each specific term
  • Successfully complete each course within the term with a passing grade of A, B, C, or P. A grade of ‘S’ (satisfactory) is considered successful if the course will count toward degree requirements.

Students placed on Financial Aid Probation will:

  • Have their academic progress reviewed at the end of each probationary semester.
    • Receipt of a non-passing grade of D, F, I, U, or W in a course during a probationary semester is considered unsuccessful.  The SAP status may return to financial aid restriction, and financial aid offered in future terms will be canceled.

Students who fail to meet their plan requirements or who have not regained eligibility by meeting SAP standards will be placed on SAP restriction and may only appeal if they have  new extenuating circumstances that impacted their ability to meet the terms of their Financial Aid Probation.

Students whose SAP appeals are not approved will remain on Financial Aid Restriction.