Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
Federal law requires students to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as a requirement for financial aid.
Students are measured by three criteria; all criteria must be met.
Minimum Cumulative GPA Standard
Students must meet the annual minimum cumulative GPA based on their career.
- 3.0: Graduate (Doctoral, Master’s, and Credential)
- 2.5: Second Bachelor’s
- 2.0: Undergraduate
Overall Degree Progress Standard
Students are required to complete their degree/certificate within 150 percent of their program degree objective.
All graded coursework are counted, including transfer units, repeats, in-progress and withdrawals. SAP review also incorporates all unsuccessful coursework attempted at Sacramento State (i.e. “F”, “I”, “NC”, “W”, “WU”).
Probation Warning
Students who have completed 120 percent of attempted coursework will receive a warning notification. This early warning enables the student to seek academic advisement for degree completion.
Satisfactory Pace Standard
The satisfactory pace standard is an overall ratio of Sacramento State units earned to Sacramento State units attempted. Students must pass at least 75 percent of units attempted.
All graded coursework are counted, including repeats, in-progress and withdrawals. SAP review also incorporates all unsuccessful coursework attempted at Sacramento State (i.e. “F”, “I”, “NC”, “W”, “WU”). Transfer units are not included in this calculation.
View more information about the SAP policy and submitting a SAP appeal on our website.