Satisfactory Academic Progress

The Office of Financial Aid reviews SAP for most aid programs, but not all. Below are the aid programs subject to SAP and those not affected by SAP:

The Office of Financial Aid monitors federal, state and institutional SAP requirements at the end of each semester for all enrolled financial aid recipients.

SAP is reviewed after grades are posted by the Registrar’s Office at the end of each semester. Fall semester SAP is reviewed over the winter break and notices are sent in January before the start of the spring semester. Spring semester SAP is reviewed over the summer and notices are sent in July. Summer semester SAP is reviewed at the end of summer and notices are sent in end of July.

Leave of Absence

Students on a leave of absence have their SAP eligibility reviewed when they notify the Registrar’s Office of their intent to return from leave.

Students who take a leave of absence for a semester are not monitored for SAP for the semester on leave, as long as the student never enrolled for that semester. Students who begin the semester, but withdraw before the end of the semester, will have SAP monitored at the end of the semester.

Delay in Disbursing Financial Aid

The Office of Financial Aid cannot disburse funds to Student Accounts until SAP eligibility is reviewed. We make every attempt to notify students with SAP issues in a timely manner. However, because the period between the end of the fall semester and the start of the spring semester is brief, SAP notices may be delayed. This may delay disbursing aid for students who are not meeting SAP or who require additional information to complete our SAP evaluation.

Please note: posting “anticipated aid” or “expected aid” to Student Accounts is not an indication of meeting SAP.

Not all courses and grades are measured equally for the purposes of SAP. Below is a breakdown of how most courses count toward GPA, courses completed, and courses attempted.

The qualitative component measures grade-based progress and monitors Grade Point Average (GPA). To meet this requirement, students must have a cumulative 2.0 GPA at the end of each semester and a cumulative 2.0 GPA at the end of two years of attendance.

The quantitative component measures the pace toward completing a degree (aka completion rate or pace) and uses the following calculation:

cumulative number of courses earned ÷ cumulative number of courses attempted = pace

Pace measures the cumulative number of courses earned over the cumulative number of courses attempted. To meet the pace requirement, students must have a cumulative completion rate of 67% at the end of each semester.

Example 1

A second-year student has attempted 12 courses (4 + 4 + 4) by the end of their third semester, but earned 10 courses (4 + 4 + 2). The completion rate is 10/12 = 83.3%. Since this rate is above 67%, the pace requirement is met.

Example 2

A second-year student has attempted 12 courses (4 + 4 + 4) by the end of their third semester, but earned 7 courses (3 + 2 + 2). The completion rate is 7/12 = 58.3%. Since this rate is below 67%, the pace requirement is not met.

The maximum timeframe requirement monitors the amount of time it takes to complete a degree. At Pitzer, students complete a degree once they earn a minimum of 32 courses, meet Pitzer's Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) requirement and fulfill all requirements for one declared major. The maximum timeframe requirement also limits the number of semesters a student is eligible to receive aid. Maximum timeframe differs between federal, state and institutional aid programs.

Federal Aid

The maximum timeframe for federal aid programs for all students is 12 full-time semesters or until the student completes their degree requirements, whichever comes first. After receiving federal aid for 12 full-time semesters (at all institutions), students become ineligible for federal aid.

State Aid

For the state Cal Grant program, students have a maximum timeframe of eight full-time semesters or until the student completes their degree requirements, whichever comes first. After receiving a Cal Grant for eight full-time semesters, students become ineligible for the Cal Grant.

The maximum timeframe for institutional aid eligibility is different for traditional students, transfers and New Resource students.

Traditional Students

Traditional students have a maximum timeframe of 36 courses within eight full-time semesters to earn their degree, whichever comes first. After receiving Pitzer aid for eight full-time semesters or earning 36 courses, students become ineligible for institutional aid. To complete a degree within this timeframe, students must complete an average of four courses per semester within eight full-time semesters.

Transfer Students

Transfer students have a prorated timeframe based on the grade level certified by Pitzer College at the time of admission. For example, a student who enters Pitzer as a second-year has a maximum timeframe of six full-time semesters to earn their degree, or 36 courses, whichever comes first. A student who enters as a third-year has a maximum timeframe of four full-time semesters to earn their degree, or 36 courses, whichever comes first. This calculation is based on the standard eight full-time semesters required to complete a degree. To complete a degree within any given timeframe, students must complete an average of four courses per semester.

New Resources Students

New Resource students have a prorated timeframe based on the number of courses certified by Pitzer College at the time of admission. For example, a student who enters Pitzer with 10 courses receives institutional aid for 22 courses. This calculation is based on the standard 32 courses required to complete a degree. New Resource students who enroll part-time are expected to take two courses and use two courses toward their total aid eligibility. New Resource students who enroll as full-time are expected to take 4 courses and use 4 courses toward their total aid eligibility (even if only 3 courses are taken).

Students in 36+ courses

Students who have or exceed 36 courses at the start of any semester may not be eligible for federal or state aid for that semester if at least 1.5 (half-time) of the remaining courses are not required for their degree.

Students who exceed 36 courses are ineligible for Pitzer aid.

Students in 30 - 35 courses

Students who have 30 - 35 courses at the start of any semester may not be eligible for federal or state aid for that semester if at least 1.5 (half-time) of the remaining courses are not required for their degree. Students must demonstrate a need to be enrolled at least half-time (1.5 courses) for courses that meet their degree requirements.

However, they may still be eligible for Pitzer aid as a full-time student so long as they are within their semesters/courses of eligibility.

The first time a student does not meet either the SAP GPA or pace requirements, the student is placed on "Financial Aid Warning." This "Warning" semester provides the student with the opportunity to regain SAP eligibility. During a "Warning" semester, students are eligible to receive federal, state and institutional funds.

Students are encouraged to take advantage of all campus resources to meet SAP. The SAP warning notice outlines all expectations required of the student during the "Warning" semester.

Frequency of Warning Semesters

Students can be placed on financial aid warning more than once during their enrollment at Pitzer. However, the warning semesters cannot be consecutive.

If by the end of the "Warning" semester, the GPA is not at least a 2.0 or the completion rate (pace) is not at or above 67%, the student is SAP disqualified and not eligible for federal, state or institutional financial aid.

Students who are disqualified have the right to appeal. If the appeal is approved, financial aid may be reinstated for one additional payment period/semester (a probation semester) or the student is placed on an academic plan (which can extend beyond one semester). Probation semesters or academic plans are only a result of a successful and granted SAP appeal. See Appeals section for more information.

Frequency of Financial Aid Probation

Students can be placed on Financial Aid Probation more than once during their enrollment at Pitzer. Students who do not meet SAP requirements at any point after a Financial Aid Probation semester, have the option to appeal again. See Appeal Outcomes below.

Federal & State Aid

Once students reach the maximum timeframe for a federal or state program, they are ineligible for further federal/state aid from that program. There is no appeal process for reaching the maximum timeframe in federal or state programs.

For the Federal Pell Grant Program, eligibility is based on 12 full-time semesters of enrollment. Pitzer College does not replace funds for students who would have been eligible for a Pell Grant but have exhausted eligibility.

For the Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loan, eligibility is based on 12 full-time semesters of enrollment and maximum loan limits. Pitzer College does not replace funds for students who would have been eligible for Direct Loans Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan but have exhausted eligibility.

Institutional Aid

Students who reach the maximum timeframe for institutional financial aid may appeal for one additional semester of institutional aid IF there were extenuating circumstances beyond the student's control that prevented them from finishing on time. See Appeals below.

Students should carefully consider the information in their appeal. Appeals must be made in writing to the Office of Financial Aid and should be typed. Acceptable formats include an email or a Word document attached to an email. Letters should be signed and dated and emails should be sent from the student’s Pitzer email address.

We highly encourage students to make an appointment with their financial aid counselor before submitting an appeal and to seek help from their academic adviser when writing their appeal.

Appeals must include the following:

1. Reasons or circumstances that prevented the student from meeting GPA or pace requirements and/or completing their degree on-time
2. Documentation to verify these, which may include:
   • A letter from a therapist
   • A letter from a doctor or physician
   • Medical records with dates corresponding to the semester when the student did not meet SAP
   • An email from the Office of Student Affairs confirming meetings or check-ins during the semester the student did not meet SAP
3. A clarification of how those circumstances have been resolved or addressed
4. An academic plan outlining courses required and steps needed to meet GPA or pace requirements and/or graduate within an additional semester
5. Support/acknowledgment from an academic adviser that the academic plan will result in meeting GPA or pace requirements and/or graduating within an additional semester

SAP Disqualification

Students must submit a complete SAP appeal no later than two weeks after being notified of their SAP disqualification status. 

9th Semester Appeals

If a student is appealing for an additional semester of aid, the appeal must be submitted one semester before the additional semester is needed. For example, a student appealing for a 9^th semester for fall 2025 must submit their appeal spring 2025.

Late Appeals

While the office will review late appeals and work with students who submit incomplete appeals, there is a risk that students who submit late or incomplete appeals may not receive a decision until after the semester has started. If an appeal is denied (for reasons other than lateness), it could impact the student’s ability to continue at Pitzer for the semester.

Students may appeal SAP disqualification or request additional time to complete their degree. The following are circumstance that are and are not considered when reviewing an appeal:

Review Process

Appeals are typically reviewed by the financial aid staff member assigned with monitoring SAP. This staff member reviews the appeal for completeness and works with the student if additional information is needed. Once all necessary information is received, the appeal is discussed and reviewed by the financial aid counseling staff, which includes the Director of Financial Aid.

The financial aid counseling staff makes every effort to be fair and equitable when considering appeals, the conditions of appeals and conditions of any academic plans. While each appeal is unique, most SAP disqualified appeals and 9th semester appeals are granted. 

Multiple Appeals

Students who successfully appeal SAP disqualification or are granted a 9th semester must adhere to the terms of their SAP Contract (see Appeal Outcomes below). If a student fails to meet the terms of their SAP Contract, they may be allowed a second appeal only if new circumstances arise since the initial appeal.

For granted appeals, the Financial Aid Office will email students a SAP Contract outlining the terms, requirements and expectations of the appeal. The contract will detail GPA and/or coursework completion requirements during contract period. If the student needs more than one semester to regain eligibility, an academic plan will be included in the contract.

Probation Period

If the SAP Disqualified appeal is granted, the student is placed on "probation" for one semester as outlined in the SAP Contract. During the probation semester, financial aid is reinstated.

If the student does not meet SAP by the end of the "probation" semester, the student becomes ineligible for federal, state and institutional financial aid.

Academic Plans

Students who need more than one semester to regain SAP eligibility are placed on an Academic Plan as outlined in the SAP Contract. Academic plans allow the student to meet specific conditions to regain aid eligibility within a timeframe longer than one semester (typically two semesters and a summer). Academic plans may: 

• Restrict the number of classes a student takes 
• Set a minimum GPA requirement for one or more semesters
• Require follow-up meetings or periodic check-ins
• Require the student to seek academic counseling to ensure progress

Students placed on an academic plan are typically required to have check-ins with a member of the financial aid staff, who will monitor their progress. The financial aid staff will work with Student Affairs and/or Academic Affairs to ensure the student is making progress as outlined in the academic plan.

If a student does not meet SAP by the end of the terms of the academic plan, the student becomes ineligible for federal, state and institutional financial aid.

9th Semester Appeals

If this appeal is granted, the student receives additional semester(s) of institutional financial aid to complete their degree. If the degree is not earned within this extra time, no additional institutional financial aid is granted. Students with remaining federal or state financial aid may continue to receive those funds.

If an appeal is denied, the student has the right to meet with a financial aid counselor to discuss the reason(s) for the appeal denial and review options for regaining eligibility. No further appeals would be available unless new circumstances are presented as part of the original appeal.

Denied SAP Disqualified Appeals

If the appeal is denied, the student may regain eligibility for future semesters of federal, state or institutional aid by enrolling at Pitzer (at the student's own expense) and bringing their GPA up to a 2.0 and/or completion rate (pace) up to 67%. If SAP requirements are met during this semester, eligibility for federal, state and institutional financial aid will be reinstated for the following semester.

Students may choose to take a leave of absence from Pitzer and pursue transferable coursework at another institution to bring their pace of progression rate up to 67%. However, GPAs earned at other institutions do not impact the student's GPA at Pitzer. Students who are ineligible for financial aid due to GPA can only raise their GPA by enrolling at Pitzer without financial aid.

Denied 9th Semester Appeal

If the appeal is denied, the student may still complete their degree by enrolling at Pitzer (at the student's own expense).

The student may choose to take a leave of absence and pursue transferable coursework at another institution. This allows the student to complete courses at another school and transfer courses to Pitzer to complete their degree. However, not all courses may transfer; students in this situation should seek advice from an academic adviser.

NOTE: Coursework taken for transfer credit must be approved by the Registrar's Office and meet outstanding degree requirements.