Financial-aid probation is the status assigned to a student who has successfully appealed a satisfactory-academic-progress failure and is eligible to receive Title IV aid for one payment period, or longer if an academic plan is in place.
How it works
After an appeal is approved the aid office places the student on financial-aid probation and loads the academic plan requirements. Aid is disbursed for the approved payment period. At the end of the period the institution checks both the plan benchmarks and overall SAP. The result determines whether aid continues, probation is extended under the plan, or eligibility ends.
Example: a student on financial-aid probation must complete 12 credits with a 2.5 term GPA. The student completes 12 credits with a 2.7 GPA. Overall cumulative pace is still below the standard, but the plan benchmark was met, so probation continues for one more term with a new benchmark.
How it differs
Academic probation or suspension is imposed by the academic dean or registrar and can exist independently of aid status. A warning period (when an institution evaluates SAP each payment period) allows one term of aid without an appeal. Financial-aid probation requires a successful appeal.
Common errors
Assuming financial-aid probation and academic probation are the same status. Continuing to receive aid after failing the academic-plan conditions. Treating probation as a permanent waiver of SAP standards.
References
- 1. 34 CFR 668.34 financial aid probationDefinition and conditions
- 2. FSA Handbook SAP chapterDisbursement during probation
Financial-aid probation is the status assigned to a student who has successfully appealed a satisfactory-academic-progress failure and is eligible to receive Title IV aid for one payment period, or longer if an academic plan is in place.