Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

What is SAP?

To remain eligible for federal, state, and institutional financial aid, as well as private loans, all Virginia Tech students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). These standards are in place to ensure students are making timely and effective progress toward earning their degree, as outlined by the U.S. Department of Education and implemented by Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech has established its own policy to adhere to these guidelines.

Why SAP Matters? 

SAP is a set of academic standards used to measure your progress. It is separate from the university’s Academic Suspension policy. Failing to meet SAP standards does not necessarily mean you are academically suspended, and vice versa. 

Important: Receiving approval for a SAP appeal does not reverse an academic suspension decision.

SAP Standards at Virginia Tech

To maintain SAP, students must meet all of the following standards:

• GPA Requirement: Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA (specific thresholds vary by academic level).

• Pace of Completion: Successfully complete at least 67% of attempted coursework.

• Maximum Timeframe: Complete your degree within 150% of the published program length (example: no more than 180 attempted credit hours for a 120-hour degree program).

More details on these standards can be found here:  SAP Policy

If a student fails any of the SAP standards, the student’s financial aid eligibility will be suspended.

Impact on Financial Aid

If you fail to meet any SAP requirement, you will be ineligible for federal, state, and institutional financial aid, including but not limited to:

• Federal Pell Grant

• Federal Direct Loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized)

• Federal PLUS Loans

• State Grants and Scholarships

• Virginia Tech institutional aid (excluding some departmental scholarships)

Please note: Private loans will also not be certified unless you are in compliance with SAP standards.

Notification Process

• Students who meet SAP standards will not receive a notification.
• Students who do not meet SAP standards will be notified via their Virginia Tech email address. 
  • This message will outline which standard(s) were not met.
  • Will include information about the appeal process and required documentation as well as priority dates and deadlines for the appeal process. 

Appeal Process

If you’ve lost aid eligibility due to SAP, you may submit an appeal if you experienced extenuating circumstances, such as:

• Serious illness or injury

• Death of a close family member

• Other documented hardships

Appeals must include supporting documentation and a clear explanation of how the issue has been resolved or managed moving forward.

Visit the How to Write a SAP Appeal webpage for deadlines and how to submit.