Federal regulations require Waldorf University to establish and apply reasonable standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for eligible students to receive financial assistance under the programs authorized by Title IV of the Higher Education Act. Waldorf University students who wish to be considered for financial aid must:

  • Be in good standing at Waldorf University and
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress in their program of study as set forth in this policy.

SAP is a Federal Student Aid eligibility requirement and is administered by the college in addition to the academic standards of performance required under the Waldorf University Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy. The SAP policy is reviewed annually by the University Registrar. Students are evaluated at the end of every semester/term for SAP. All students are evaluated on three standards: grade point average (qualitative measure), semester hours completion ratio (quantitative measure), and maximum timeframe. To maintain eligibility under SAP, students must meet all three standards.

Standard 1: Grade Point Average (Qualitative Measure)

Students must maintain a minimum qualitative measure of progress defined as the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) – see chart below. Undergraduate students must maintain a 2.0 CGPA at the conclusion of their fourth semester or eighth term of attendance. Graduate students must maintain a CGPA of 3.0 at all times.

GPA Chart
Timeframe CGPA Credits
End of First Semester or End of Term 1 or 2 1.80 12
End of Second Semester or End of Term 3 or 4 1.90 24
End of Third Semester or End of Term 5 or 6 1.95 36
End of Fourth Semester or End of Term 7 or 8 2.00 48
End of Fifth Semester or End of Term 9 or 10 2.00 60
End of Sixth Semester or End of Term 11 or 12 2.00 72
End of Seventh Semester or End of Term 13 or 14 2.00 84
End of Eighth Semester or End of Term 15 or 16 2.00 96
End of Ninth Semester or End of Term 17 or 18 2.00 108
End of Tenth Semester or End of Term 19 or 20 2.00 120

*Credits pertain to successfully completed courses which apply toward the degree. Successful completion is defined as earning a grade of A, B, C, or D. Grades of F, W, I, IP or AU do not constitute successful completion.

If a residential student earns less than a 1.00 GPA after the first semester and earns less than 10 credits, the student will be dismissed from the University. If an online student earns less than a 1.00 GPA after the first term, the student will be dismissed from the University.

Developmental studies (DEV) courses with a course number below 100/1000 do NOT apply toward graduation.

Standard 2: Semester Hour Completion Ratio or PACE (Quantitative Measure)

Students (either full-time or part-time) must achieve a passing rate of at least 67 percent of all hours attempted to demonstrate proper pace and to maintain satisfactory academic progression (SAP) standards. Hours attempted include completed courses, repeated courses, withdrawals, and incompletes. Transfer credit, if applicable, is also calculated in the completion ratio.

Students are evaluated at the end of every semester/term for SAP. Students who have not met the conditions for satisfactory academic progress will be placed on academic SAP warning for the following semester/term. Students on SAP Warning status will continue to be eligible to receive federal aid for this additional semester/term. Students on SAP Warning status who fail to meet SAP standards at the end of the semester/term will be dismissed from the university.

All students on academic SAP warning must take part in the Academic Support Program (ASP). If the student does not attain the minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and/or the minimum cumulative credits by the end of the warning semester/term, the student will be dismissed from the University.

Standard 3: Maximum Timeframe

Students must complete their degree program within 150 percent of the semester/term hour requirements for the degree program. Students must complete an associate’s degree within a maximum of 90 semester hours and a bachelor’s degree within a maximum of 186 semester hours (residentially) and 180 semester hours (online) and a graduate degree within a maximum of 54 semester hours (online). Students who are unable to complete their degree program within the timeframe limitation will no longer be eligible to use Title IV Aid to cover any costs associated with completing their degree program. Transfer credit, if applicable, is also calculated in the maximum timeframe calculation.

Transfer Credits

Transfer credits accepted toward the student’s degree program will be included when calculating the SAP Maximum Timeframe and quantitative progress. This includes credit for English as a Second Language (ESL) and remedial courses, if accepted toward the degree program.

Repeated Courses

Students receiving Title IV Aid may repeat a course, as allowed under the Waldorf University Satisfactory Academic Progress policy. Repeated courses will count toward the quantitative and maximum timeframe SAP standards. Federal Student Aid allows a student to retake a non-failed course and receive federal aid for that course one time.

Incomplete Grades

Students receiving Title IV Aid may receive incomplete grades, as allowed under the Waldorf University Satisfactory Academic Progress policy. Incomplete grades will count toward the quantitative and maximum timeframe standards of SAP.

Change of Program

All periods of enrollment will count when assessing a student’s satisfactory academic progression (SAP). All attempted credit hours will be included in the determination of a student’s satisfactory academic progression when a student makes a change in their degree program or field of study in the same degree level (i.e.: Bachelor to Bachelor).

Second Bachelor’s Degree

Undergraduate students must complete their degree program within 150 percent of the semester hour requirements for the degree. Transfer credit, if applicable, is also calculated in the maximum timeframe calculation. Students pursuing a second bachelor’s degree are not eligible to receive Federal SEOG or Federal Pell Grants.

SAP Evaluation

Students are evaluated at the end of every semester/term for SAP. Students who have not met the conditions for satisfactory academic progress (SAP) will be placed on academic warning for the following semester/term and will be expected to work with their academic advisor to discuss enrollment options. Students on SAP Warning status will continue to be eligible to receive federal aid for this additional term. Students on SAP Warning status who fail to meet SAP standards at the end of the semester/term will be dismissed from the university.

Appeal Guidelines

Students dismissed upon failing SAP may appeal their dismissal to the Admissions and Academic Progress Committee if they have extenuating circumstances during the period of academic substandard performance and are able to provide supporting documentation.

Appeals may be filed by faxing the appeal to the attention of the Vice President for Academic Affairs or to the Office of the Registrar at:

The appeal must include the reason(s) why the student failed to meet satisfactory academic progress and what will change to allow the student to meet the standards at the next evaluation. The committee will make every effort to consider each appeal carefully and provide a decision within seven to 10 business days. The committee will make one of the following decisions regarding the student’s appeal:

  • The appeal will be denied; the student’s academic dismissal is upheld and student will no longer be eligible for financial aid.
  • The appeal will be granted and the student placed on Academic Probation for one semester/term; the student should be able to meet satisfactory academic progress by the end of the probationary term. If the student does not meet satisfactory academic progress at the end of the probationary semester/term, the student will be dismissed.
  • The appeal will be granted and the student will be placed on an Academic Plan because satisfactory academic progress cannot be met within one semester/term. The Academic Plan, monitored on an individual basis, will ensure that the student will be able to meet satisfactory academic progress by a specific point in time, will have set conditions, and can be evaluated at whatever periods as determined by the plan or at a minimum at the end of every semester/term. The student will be dismissed when he/she fails to meet the conditions of the Academic Plan.

Students on academic probation or academic plan may be required to retake courses in which “D” or “F” grades were received, take a reduced credit-load, and/or become involved in special programs and/or have restrictions place on extra-curricular campus activities (athletics, fine arts, etc.). They are also required to submit periodic academic progress reports.

If it becomes apparent that a student is not profiting from the course, as evidenced by poor attendance or poor performance, the Vice President for Academic Affairs may dismiss a student without any warning period at any point during the semester/term.

A part-time student (carrying less than 12 semester credits (residentially)/ 6 semester credits (online) in a semester/term) shall be placed on academic warning if, at the end of any semester/term, he or she has a cumulative grade point average (cgpa) less than 2.00. During the next semester/term, if the student does not receive a 2.00 GPA and/or complete at least 67% of their coursework, the student is dismissed from the University. The student may appeal the dismissal and follow the same appeals process found above in the full-time satisfactory academic progress appeals process.

Part-time students on academic probation may be required to retake courses in which “F” or “D” grades were received, take a reduced credit-load, become involved in special programs, and/or have restrictions place on extra-curricular campus activities (athletics, fine arts, etc.). They are also required to submit periodic academic progress reports.

If it becomes apparent that a part-time student is not profiting from the course, as evidenced by poor attendance or poor performance, the Vice President for Academic Affairs may dismiss a part-time student without any warning period at any point during the term.