Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

US students receiving Title IV Federal Student Aid

U.S. federal regulations (Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid Eligibility, 34 CFR 668.34) stipulate that students must maintain certain academic standards in order to remain eligible for Title IV Federal Student Aid (Direct Loan) funding.

The Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy applies to all students applying for Direct Loans under Title IV of the US Higher Education Act. These types of loans include Direct Loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized), Direct Parent PLUS and Direct Grad PLUS loans.

To meet SAP requirements, a student must remain in good academic standing. Undergraduate students must maintain the minimum cumulative  (grade point) average required for their program at all times. Graduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative (grade point) average of 70% at all times.

Read our SAP Policy here.

For students who have applied for or who are in receipt of Direct Loan funding, the Office of Student Awards & Financial Aid will monitor academic progress, including pace of degree completion, on a term by term basis to ensure loan recipients continue to meet SAP requirements. 

To continue to receive US Federal Student Aid while on academic probation, a student must demonstrate that they experienced unanticipated, extenuating personal circumstances that prevented them from successfully completing their previous academic term. While the University of Windsor will permit a student to continue with their studies for an additional term while on academic probation,making an effort to regain good academic standing, US Federal Student Aid – University of Windsor SAP requirements will potentially restrict a student after one term unless a student can demonstrate that they experienced extenuating circumstances. This policy applies to both undergraduate and graduate students.

Students must remain on pace to complete their degree program within 150% of the published program length. For instance, a student enrolled in a general (three year/thirty credit) undergraduate degree program must complete degree requirements within 45 attempted courses in order to be considered for Title IV Direct Loan funding. Transfer courses, voluntary withdrawals and course repeats are considered "attempted courses" for the purpose of determining SAP. For students registered in a graduate program that is 2 years or 6 academic terms in length, the graduate student must complete their degree requirements within 9 academic terms.

Federal student aid applies only to classes that apply to your degree program. It does not apply to continuing education courses, English as Second Language courses, courses you take after finishing degree requirements, etc. Courses which are for personal/professional enrichment are NOT ELIGIBLE for federal student aid.

Students may not receive federal student aid twice for a course for which they have already received credit. This means that if a student receives a “D” in the course and gets credit for it, but retakes the course to get a better grade, the student is not eligible to receive aid for the class taken the second time.

Students enrolled in summer session must meet the same incremental and grade point requirements they would if they attended a regular fall or winter session. Similarly, periods when a student does not receive Title IV funding are counted toward the maximum time frame allowable for completion of degree requirements.

Transfer credits which are counted towards degree requirements are considered when determining the maximum time frame allowable for degree completion and receipt of federal student aid. Non-degree related transfer credits are not considered as courses required to complete degree requirements and are therefore not included in the degree “time to completion” standards.

Students may not receive aid for courses in a degree program for which they have already received a degree. For instance, if a student receives a Master’s Degree in History, the student is not eligible for financial aid for further courses in the Master’s in History program.

Once a student has completed degree requirements, whether or not the degree has been conferred, the student is no longer eligible for federal student aid. For example, if a student has completed the requirements of her/his degree program, but the degree cannot be conferred because the student’s cumulative average is less than 60%, the student cannot receive federal student aid to take classes to increase her/his average. Further, any class for which the student received credit should be a class that applies to the student’s degree program. 

Students denied financial aid because of failure to satisfy SAP requirements may appeal the denial in writing to the Student Awards Administrator if there are mitigating circumstances no later than the end of the first week of classes of the term immediately following the term where SAP has not been maintained. The appeal letter must:

  • Describe in detail and document all circumstances which the student believes are relevant to his or her inability to meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements
  • Detail the steps that the student has taken to ensure that the cause issues have been resolved and will no longer present a barrier to the student’s academic progress.
  • Must submit letters of appeal and supporting documents to the attention of:
    Student Awards Administrator
    Student Awards & Financial Aid

    University of Windsor
    401 Sunset Ave.
    Windsor, ON N9B 3P4
    Fax: (519) 971-7087;
    Email: usfinaid@uwindsor.ca
    Reference: US Federal Student Aid SAP Appeal
  • In the case where an appeal made on the basis of mitigating circumstances is denied, the student has no further recourse.
  • A student may request an appointment to discuss the matter with the Student Awards Administrator by calling 519-253-3000 Ext. 3300 or by sending an email to award1@uwindsor.ca.
  • If a student becomes ineligible for financial aid due to a lack of satisfactory academic progress, he or she may regain eligibility by meeting the SAP policy without the benefit of federal student aid at the University of Windsor for one term of study. To do this, the student must enroll and successfully complete all courses which are applicable to their degree at the University of Windsor until such time their cumulative average is sufficient to meet SAP policy. If a student successfully completes one term of full-time study but has not reached a minimum cumulative average of 60%, the student may submit an academic plan that demonstrates that they are committed to attaining the minimum cumulative average of 60% requirement.

Note: If at any point a student becomes mathematically unable to meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements, whether based on credits attempted, years completed, or cumulative average, federal regulations mandate the termination of financial aid.

 

Services Available:

You may reach our office at: (519) 253-3000 Ext. 3300

Regular SAFA Service Hours 

 Monday  1:00PM - 4:00PM
 Tuesday  1:00PM - 4:00PM
 Wednesday    9:00AM - 12:00PM; 2:00PM - 4:00PM
 Thursday  9:00AM - 12:00PM; 2:00PM - 4:00PM
 Friday   1:00PM - 4:00PM

 

Please refer to ask.uwindsor.ca as there may be a knowledge base article that may answer your question.

In order to better assist you, please always include your UWindsor Student Number in your communications.

Students should complete their UWinAward Student Application/Profile via UWinsite Student > Student Homepage > Award Profile to be matched with eligible funding opportunities.

Additional Information for Domestic Students who are experiencing financial hardship.

Additional Information for International Students who are experiencing financial hardship.

If you require additional assistance you may contact our office by email at award1@uwindsor.ca.

 

 

Documents may be faxed, sent as an attachment via email at award1@uwindsor.ca, or placed in our drop-box located in the lobby of CHT or mailed to:

Student Awards & Financial Aid
University of Windsor
401 Sunset Ave. CHT Room 102
Windsor, ON N9B 3P4

Fax: (519) 973-7087

Please refer to https://ask.uwindsor.ca/ as there may be a knowledge base article that may answer your question.

 

Student Awards & Financial Aid Office

University of Windsor
Chrysler Hall Tower, 1st Floor
401 Sunset Avenue
Windsor, ON, Canada, N9B 3P4

* Due to construction, the entrance to our lobby/waiting area can be accessed from the south entrance of Chrysler Hall Tower

We are available for in-person service during the following hours:

Regular SAFA Service Hours

 Monday  1:00PM - 4:00PM
 Tuesday  1:00PM - 4:00PM
 Wednesday   9:00AM - 4:00PM
 Thursday  9:00AM - 4:00PM
 Friday   1:00PM - 4:00PM

 

To enter our in-person service queue with the Student Awards or the Financial Aid office, please scan this QR Code or click if using a mobile device:

If you feel that you need to talk to someone about your situation, please take the following steps:

1) Try asking your question using https://ask.uwindsor.ca.  We have many knowledge base articles that might be able to assist you with your question.

2) Log on to https://ask.uwindsor.ca to submit a service request and a Student Awards or Financial Aid Representative will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.

3) Call our office during our phone service hours.  A Student Award or Financial Aid Representative may be able to resolve your issue over the phone.

4) If options 1) through 3) do not resolve your issue,  we will schedule you a virtual Teams meeting/appointment with a Student Awards or Financial Aid Specialist for a time that is mutually convenient.

 

UWinAward Profile/Application Support

Here is the schedule for our virtual drop-in sessions available for students who require assistance with their UWinAward Profile/Application for bursary and scholarship applications.

Important Notes:

  • We will attempt to return messages and service requests within 2 business days where possible.  In September, January & May however, our response time may be closer to 7-10 business days.

  • Please do not leave/send multiple messages/emails as this will delay our response time.