Construction Update

The front entrance with parking at the UMKC Administrative Center is closed for construction. Please use the entrances on the east, south and north ends of building. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will remain open for calls and email. UMKC Central will be relocating to its new office in Atterbury Student Success Center from July 27 to August 14. Walk-in services may be limited or not available during that time.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

  • Date Revised: Dec. 11, 2025
  • Last Modified: Jul 2, 2026
  • Sponsor(s):
  • Responsible Office(s):

SAP Program Requirements

All UMKC students are subject to the SAP policy and must meet the standards of the policy to receive financial aid. Failing to meet a SAP standard can result in A financial aid warning or financial aid suspension. Being placed on financial aid suspension means you are no longer eligible to receive financial aid. If you fail to meet SAP, you may be eligible to appeal under certain conditions.

SAP requirements are based on the program you are in. For information on specific program requirements, select your program below:

Grade Point Average (GPA)

The grade point average (GPA) component requires that you maintain a minimum GPA to be considered meeting SAP standards. The GPA component of SAP is measured through both your current (term) grade point average and your cumulative grade point average (GPA). GPA is calculated at the end of each term you are enrolled in. To be considered meeting this standard, you must:

  • Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 for the current term
  • AND
  • Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0

Note: If you are an undergraduate medicine or undergraduate pharmacy student, you are monitored by your school of study.

Pace of Completion

The pace of completion requirement measures the pace you are progressing toward degree completion. The pace of completion is determined by taking the total number of credit hours successfully earned divided by the total number of credit hours attempted. In order to be considered meeting this standard, you must:

  • Maintain a minimum completion rate for attempted credit hours by successfully completing 66.67% of attempted credit hours for the current term. This means you must earn credit in at least 2/3 of the courses you enroll in for the semester.

For students participating in the Propel (CTP) program, all courses you are enrolled in will be evaluated, whether taken for a grade, credit/no credit, or audit.

**Important: You are considered failing SAP if you complete 0% of attempted credit hours. This is an important consideration if you are planning to withdraw from all courses during a semester. If you totally withdraw from all courses, you will be considered failing SAP for that term and may end up ineligible for aid in the upcoming term. You are highly encouraged to reach out to your financial aid coordinator before withdrawing or dropping all courses to make sure the decision won't negatively impact your financial aid. 

Maximum Time Frame

The maximum time frame component measures the total time it takes you to complete your degree program. Your total credit hours attempted cannot exceed 150% of the published length of your academic program. Students who exceed the maximum time frame are immediately ineligible for aid. To be meeting this standard, you must:

  • Complete your degree program within 180 attempted credit hours.
    • Most Conservatory, education, and engineering programs must be completed within 225 attempted credit hours; however, the amount may be less depending on the program length.

For students participating in the Propel (CTP) program, you must complete the program within 72 attempted credit hours. Note: The Propel program includes audited credit hours in the total attempted credit hours used to reach the 150% maximum.

Financial aid eligibility immediately ceases once you have reached the maximum credit hour limit. As soon as you reach the maximum credit hour total, you will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension and become ineligible for aid. If you fail the maximum time frame component, you will receive a separate email communication to your UMKC email address with specific steps on how to regain eligibility.

Students who fail due to this standard are eligible for a modified appeal process. If you are working on a subsequent degree at a prior level (e.g. second bachelor’s degree, second master’s degree, doctoral degree, etc.), you should provide the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office the following:

  • A statement explaining your circumstances (why you have exceeded 150% of the average length of a degree program).
  • Any documentation that may support your statement
  • Documentation from your academic advisor that indicates the number of credit hours you have earned that currently apply toward your degree, the number of credit hours required to complete the degree you are pursuing, and your expected graduation date.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

The grade point average (GPA) component requires that you maintain a minimum GPA to be considered meeting SAP standards. For graduate and Ph.D. students, your GPA is monitored by your program of study. Graduate students, regardless of classification, must maintain a 3.0 grade-point average (GPA) in all coursework taken for graduate credit at UMKC and must meet any additional academic requirements imposed by the school, department or program. 

Pace of Completion

The pace of completion requirement measures the pace you are progressing toward degree completion. The pace of completion is determined by taking the total number of credit hours successfully earned divided by the total number of credit hours attempted. In order to be considered meeting this standard, you must:

  • Maintain a minimum completion rate for attempted credit hours by successfully completing 66.67% of attempted credit hours for the current term. This means you must earn credit in at least 2/3 of the courses you enroll in for the semester. 

**Important: You are considered failing SAP if you complete 0% of attempted credit hours. This is an important consideration if you are planning to withdraw from all courses during a semester. If you totally withdraw from all courses, you will be considered failing SAP for that term and may become ineligible for aid. It is highly recommended that you discuss withdrawing or dropping courses with your financial aid coordinator. 

Maximum Time Frame

The maximum time frame component measures the total time it takes you to complete your degree program. Your total credit hours attempted cannot exceed 150% of the published length of your academic program. Students who exceed the maximum time frame are immediately ineligible for aid. To be meeting this standard, you must:

  • For graduate and Ph.D. students, you must complete your degree program within 75 attempted credit hours.
    • For most graduate business programs, you must complete your degree in 96 attempted credit hours; however, the amount may be less depending on the program length.
    • For most graduate nursing programs, you must complete your degree in 97 attempted credit hours; however, the amount may be less depending on the program length.

Financial aid eligibility immediately ceases once you have reached the maximum credit hour limit. As soon as you reach the maximum credit hour total, you will be placed on financial aid suspension and become ineligible for aid. If you fail the maximum time frame component, you will receive a separate email communication to your UMKC email address with specific steps on how to regain eligibility.

Students who fail due to this standard are eligible for a modified appeal process. If you are working on a subsequent degree at a prior level (e.g. second bachelor’s degree, second master’s degree, doctoral degree, etc.), you should provide the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office the following:

  • A statement explaining your circumstances (why you have exceeded 150% of the average length of a degree program).
  • Any documentation that may support your statement
  • Documentation from your academic advisor that indicates the number of credit hours you have earned that currently apply toward your degree, the number of credit hours required to complete the degree you are pursuing, and your expected graduation date.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

The grade point average (GPA) component requires that you maintain a minimum GPA to be considered meeting SAP standards. For professional students, your GPA is monitored by your program of study. You must meet the standards determined by your school of study and will be considered failing this component if you are placed on Academic Probation.

Pace of Completion

The pace of completion requirement measures the pace you are progressing toward degree completion. The pace of completion is determined by taking the total number of credit hours successfully earned divided by the total number of credit hours attempted. For professional students, your pace of completion is monitored by your program of study. You must meet the standards determined by your school of study and will be considered failing this component if you are placed on Academic Probation.

Maximum Time Frame

The maximum time frame component measures the total time it takes you to complete your degree program. Your total credit hours attempted cannot exceed 150% of the published length of your academic program. For professional students, your maximum time frame is monitored by your program of study. Your financial aid eligibility ceases when you are no longer admitted or are dismissed from your program.

SAP and COVID-19

The UMKC Financial Aid and Scholarships Office understands that students have encountered several challenges related to COVID-19. As a result, we have updated our Satisfactory Academic Progress policy to include important information relating to COVID-19 and how grade changes may affect your SAP status.

Additionally, academic issues related to COVID-19 are an acceptable basis for an appeal. If you receive notification that you have failed SAP, you are encouraged to submit an appeal and to use the new check box for indicating issues related to COVID-19.

If you have questions regarding SAP, please reach out to your coordinator for assistance.

Impact of Credit/No Credit (CR/NC) Grading on SAP

Grades of CR/NC will not be included in the calculation of your GPA. UMKC’s Satisfactory Academic Progress policy requires a 2.0 UMKC term and cumulative GPA to remain eligible for financial aid. Therefore, a CR/NC grade will not adversely affect the GPA component of SAP.

Grades of CR/NC will count towards SAP pace of completion component. CR grades will count as a completed course. NC grades will not count as a completed course. UMKC requires students to complete at least 2/3 (66.67%) of the courses they enroll in. Therefore, if you receive an NC for one or more of your courses, it may affect your SAP standing.

Grades of CR/NC will count towards the SAP maximum timeframe component. Therefore, if you are nearing your maximum program limit and will need to retake a course due to a CR/NC grade, you may need to discuss your academic plan with your coordinator.

Monitoring SAP

SAP is monitored at the end of each term in which you are enrolled. This includes the Fall, Spring and Summer terms. If you are enrolled in the Summer term, your SAP will be monitored prior to the start of the upcoming fall term and your eligibility for aid can change based on your SAP status following the Summer term.

During the SAP review process, specific components are monitored to determine whether or not you are meeting the established standards. SAP requirements may vary between academic programs. In general, in order to maintain SAP at UMKC, you must meet each of the following components (the specific requirements will be based on your program):

  • Grade Point Average (GPA) — The grade point average (GPA) component requires you to maintain a minimum GPA to be considered as meeting SAP standards.
  • Pace of completion — The pace of completion requirement measures the pace you are progressing toward degree completion.
  • Maximum time frame — The maximum time frame component measures the total time it takes you to complete your degree program.
  • Academic standing — To be considered as meeting SAP standards, you must also meet the academic standing requirements for your degree program.

All degree-seeking students who are enrolled are monitored, regardless of whether you received financial aid for that term.

If you are placed on financial aid warning or financial aid suspension, you will be sent an email notification to your UMKC email account.

Generally, non-degree seeking students are not eligible for aid and therefore are not reviewed.

Financial Aid Warning

If you fail to meet SAP requirements for one term, you will be placed on financial aid warning. This will allow you an additional term to regain eligibility by meeting the minimum standards. You will be informed that you are in a financial aid warning period via an email to your UMKC email account.

You are only given a warning status after having been in an eligible (or meeting SAP) status. In some cases, you may automatically fail the SAP policy instead of receiving a warning status. If you automatically fail the SAP policy, you become ineligible to receive aid. The following examples indicate instances when you would not be eligible for a warning period:

  • Being dismissed from your academic program
  • Exceeding the maximum attempted credit hours total for your program of study

Additionally, if you are placed on academic probation by your school or college, you are also considered to be on financial aid warning and you are expected to comply with the probation requirements of both the school or college and the UMKC Financial Aid and Scholarships Office.

Financial Aid Suspension/Ineligible to Receive Aid

Following your warning period, if you still fail to fulfill the minimum SAP requirements, or you fail a component that immediately results in a failed status, you immediately become ineligible for financial aid and are placed on financial aid suspension. You will receive notification of your failure to comply with the minimum SAP standards and relevant future aid may be canceled following the appeal period.

Students who have not met Satisfactory Academic Progress standards and/or are on warning are not eligible for consortium agreements or for participation in study abroad programs.

If you are on financial aid suspension, you have options. You can pursue filing an SAP Appeal if you have an appealable condition. You are also able to regain eligibility by attending UMKC without the assistance of financial aid and meet the established standards.

Appeal Process

If it is determined that you are failing SAP and are ineligible for aid but you feel that extenuating circumstances should be considered (family death, illness and/or hospitalization, etc.), you should submit an appeal to the UMKC Financial Aid and Scholarships Office immediately.

Download the SAP Appeal form

The appeal deadline is the second Friday after the beginning date of the term for which financial aid consideration is requested. Appeals received after this deadline will be accepted on a case-by-case basis. If you fail to submit an appeal within this deadline, your aid may be canceled.

Your appeal must include:

  1. Solid documentation supporting the reason(s) you failed to meet satisfactory academic progress or complete the probationary requirements, including a written statement from the student.
  2. An academic plan approved by your academic advisor outlining one or more of the following:
    1. How you will meet satisfactory academic progress in the future (improve GPA, complete all attempted courses).
    2. How and when you will satisfy current incomplete grades (if applicable).
    3. How you will meet the requirements for graduation by your anticipated graduation date.
  3. A statement explaining what corrective measures you have taken to assure satisfactory academic progress in the future.

Appeals are reviewed by your financial aid coordinator and/or the director of financial aid. You will be notified of the decision in writing via email within two to four weeks of the start of the term.

See the Regaining Aid Eligibility section of this policy for information on if an appeal is denied.

Financial Aid Probation

If you submit an SAP appeal and it is approved, you will be placed on financial aid probation. Once you receive confirmation that your appeal has been approved, you will be required to visit the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office to sign a Financial Aid Probation Contract. To be considered for financial aid for the specified term, you must sign and return a copy of the contract, thereby indicating that you have read and agreed to the terms of the contract. Once your signed contract is received, your financial aid will be reinstated. You will be expected to meet the terms of your contract for that term. Failure to meet the terms of your Financial Aid Probation Contract will result in financial aid suspension.

If you are on financial aid probation, you will not be approved for any type of consortium agreement or study abroad and are ineligible for work study.

Regaining Aid Eligibility

If you are ineligible to file an SAP appeal, or your SAP appeal is denied, there are ways to regain your eligibility. To regain financial aid eligibility, you must do the following WITHOUT receiving financial aid from UMKC:

  1. Achieve the minimum grade point average necessary.
  2. Attain the minimum completion rate for attempted credit hours.

It is the student’s responsibility to notify the UMKC Financial Aid and Scholarship Office in writing once all requirements to regain financial aid eligibility have been completed.

Important Terminology

Attempted Credits

  • Attempted credit hours are defined as the number of credits a student is enrolled in as of the last day to drop with no record** (refer to the UMKC academic calendar). Attempted credits include the following:
    • All credit hours also considered earned/completed
    • Non-passing grades, includes:
      • Dropped, failed and incomplete courses
      • Remedial and audit courses for which no credit is received
      • Any course for which a grade of F, NR, WF, W, I, AU, NC is received
    • Repeated classes
      • Important: Repeated courses (in which you previously received a passing grade) do not count towards credit hours earned but do count toward credit hours attempted and may negatively impact your pace of completion and maximum time frame SAP status.
    • Dropped credits after the add/drop period
    • Withdrawal completely from a term on or after the first day of class
    • Grades that are changed to a W through the Academic Standards appeal process
    • Transfer credits
**Students who totally withdraw from the term prior to census will be reviewed for SAP and considered earning zero credit hours for that term. 

Earned/Completed Credits

  • “Successful completion” is receiving earned credit as defined by UMKC grading policy. This includes grades of A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, CR, P and S.

Additional SAP Information

  • Non-degree seeking students are exempt.
  • Students enrolling for their first term at UMKC are considered to be making satisfactory academic progress.
  • Students who left UMKC while not making satisfactory academic progress and are readmitted to UMKC must file a SAP appeal with the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office.
  • This policy is applicable with respect to eligibility for all types of federal, state, and university financial aid administered by the UMKC Financial Aid and Scholarships Office.
  • Some forms of aid may require higher standards to maintain eligibility.
  • Undergraduate students must be enrolled at half-time status for financial aid to disburse (excluding the federal Pell Grant).
  • Graduate students must be enrolled in at least half-time status for aid to disburse.
  • Students on study abroad will be monitored for Satisfactory Academic Progress once official transcripts from the visiting institution are received.
  • Propel Program students will have all enrolled courses whether taken for a grade, credit/no credit, or audit counted to determine their status.

UMKC Catalog Resources