Role of the Student
The Department of Education requires you to be making satisfactory academic progress (SAP) towards your degree if you want to receive financial aid. If there are situations that interfere with you making that progress, you may appeal your SAP status. The appeal process allows you to explain to us why you are not making progress and for us to decide if we can approve your appeal.
To appeal a financial aid suspension, first submit the Intent to Appeal Satisfactory Academic Progress Form. Once you do, someone from our office will contact you to discuss next steps. You'll need to provide a detailed explanation for why you are not meeting SAP, and you should explain clearly how you'll meet the SAP standards and finish your degree program. The SAP policy does not limit how many times you can appeal during your academic career; however, you may only appeal once per semester and cannot appeal for the same reason more than one time.
The SAP appeal has several parts, and you'll want to submit a completed appeal and make sure that we get it. The SFS Appeals Committee will only review complete appeals.
Your appeal has to be approved during a term for which you want financial aid. For example, if your aid is suspended for the spring 2025 term, we must be able to approve your before the end of the spring 2025 term. Make sure you meet the deadlines published below. If you submit your appeal after the deadline for a term, we cannot guarantee that we'll be able to review it.
Deadlines for Submitting Your Completed Appeal
Date SFS receives your appeal | Will I be considered for all State and University funds, such as AccessUVA? | Will I be considered for all forms of Federal funds? |
Through November 28, 2024 | Yes | Yes |
November 29 through December 16, 2024 | Maybe* | Maybe* |
December 17, 2024, and after | No | No |
* If you submit your appeal after November 28, 2024, consideration for State, University, and Federal funds will be dependent on whether the appeal is complete and requires no additional documentation, allowing SFS the necessary time to consider the merits of the appeal. For this reason, we strongly encourage students to complete and submit their appeal well before December 16, 2024.
Date the Appeal is received by SFS | Will I be considered for all State and University funds, such as AccessUVA? | Will I be considered for all forms of Federal funds? |
Through April 24, 2025 | Yes | Yes |
April 24 through May 9, 2025 | Maybe* | Maybe* |
May 10, 2025, and after | No | No |
* If you submit your appeal after April 24, 2025, consideration for State, University, and Federal funds will be dependent on whether the appeal is complete and requires no additional documentation, allowing SFS the necessary time to consider the merits of the appeal. For this reason, we strongly encourage students to complete and submit their appeal well before May 10, 2025.
Summer 2025 Term
Date the Appeal is received by SFS | Will I be considered for all State and University funds? | Will I be considered for all forms of Federal funds? |
Through July 23, 2025 | Yes | Yes |
July 24 through July 28, 2025 | Maybe* | Yes |
July 29 through August 4, 2025 | Maybe* | Maybe* |
August 5, 2025, and after | No | No |
Role of the Academic Dean or Advisor
The SAP policy includes an Academic Advisor Support form as part of the appeal process. This form allows the dean to comment on the student’s special circumstances, to discuss the changes the student has made to address their challenges, and to comment on the student’s ability to succeed academically.
In addition, the policy requires the student to submit an academic plan developed by the academic dean and the student. The plan must demonstrate how the student will meet the SAP standards by a specific point in time. The SAP policy allows for an appeal approval based upon the student following the academic plan. If the student doesn't meet the approved academic plan, their financial aid eligibility will be suspended. So it's important that the academic plan reflects realistic and attainable goals for the student.