SAP Undergraduate Policy |  SAP Graduate Policy | SAP Appeal Application

SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS APPEAL INSTRUCTIONS

Mississippi Valley State University, as required by federal regulations, annually monitors minimum standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as it relates to your eligibility to receive federal student aid funds, including grants, loans and work-study. Federal regulations require that you meet the University’s qualitative and quantitative standards to maintain eligibility for student aid.  

Appeal Procedures

Students who fail to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and have been placed on financial aid suspension may submit an appeal due to mitigating circumstances for reinstatement of aid. The appeal must clearly explain what mitigating circumstances caused the student to fail the standards and what has changed that will allow the student to make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). A complete appeal application, due to mitigating circumstances, with supporting documentation must be submitted to the Office of Student Financial Aid. Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Applications received after the first day of class, will not be accepted. SAP Appeal Applications without supporting documentation will be deemed incomplete. The Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals Committee will render a decision to the student by telephone and/or written notification. The appeal decision is final.

Mitigating Circumstances

Mitigating circumstances are unforeseen, special or unusual/traumatic conditions which caused undue hardship. These circumstances may include serious illness or injury relating to the student, death or serious illness of an immediate family member, significant traumatic occurrence that impaired emotional and/or physical health or other documented circumstances. Examples of mitigating circumstances may include:

1. Medical Problems (physical or mental) – Statement from your physician, hospital or professional counselor which indicates the duration of the illness, whether the medical or mental condition is under control and whether you are able to attend school;
2. Accident/Injury – The Police Report, statement from physician or hospital to support the date of your accident and/or injury, any medical problem(s) that resulted and whether you are able to attend school;
3. Death of Family Member – The death of an immediate family member or close relative (i.e. mother, father, grandparent, sibling, or immediate family such as a related aunt or uncle)
4. Military Service – Provide military orders and discharge papers to identify the dates and status of your military duty;
5. Other Mitigating Circumstances – Clearly describe your mitigating circumstances, duration of the problem that you and/or your parents suffered as a result of divorce, separation, domestic violence, homelessness or any other traumatic or undue hardships. Documentation may include, but not limited to, copies of divorce or separation papers, notarized statement(s) with appropriate I.D., police reports, medical reports or letters from professional counselors and documentation indicating circumstances have improved or been resolved.

SAP Appeal Decision

Reinstatement of Financial Aid will be based on the depth of the appeal statement, documentation received, and the academic record. Filing an appeal does not guarantee Financial Aid reinstatement. If your appeal is denied, you will be required to make payment arrangements with the Office of Student Accounts to pay any incurred charges. You are responsible for all charges incurred during periods of ineligibility. If your appeal is approved, your financial aid eligibility will be reinstated and you will be placed on financial aid probation for one semester.

Financial aid will be reinstated for students who reestablish eligibility by maintaining the standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Reinstatement of an Academic Suspension to attend the university does not reinstate financial aid.

Academic Plan

If your Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Application is approved with the stipulation that you meet with your Academic Advisor to discuss and develop an Academic Plan, it is the expectation that you adhere to all conditions outlined in your Academic Plan to ensure you meet the university standards for satisfactory academic progress.

Readmitted Students

Financial Aid suspension does not change by sitting out a semester or more.  An appeal is required for any readmitted student to the university who was not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) after their last period of enrollment.