Academic Progress

Academic Progress Requirements for New York State Aid

In order to retain eligibility for New York State scholarship and grant awards, students must be in "good academic standing", which is comprised of two components: Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and Pursuit of Program (POP). Satisfactory Academic Progress towards a degree is achieved when a student accrues graduation credits each semester and maintains a specific minimum cumulative grade point average. Pursuit of Program is the set of standards that determine if the number of credits completed each term and the grades received for the credits completed each term are acceptable for award certification.   Pursuit of Program evaluates completed credits against the following criteria: Students must be enrolled full-time (12 or more credits) by a specific time in the term, as determined each term by New York State regulation. Acceptable letter grades: A, B, C, D, E, S, or U. Complete the minimum number of credits in the prior term. In order to satisfy SAP and POP, a student must have successfully completed enough credits in the prior term, have successfully completed a minimum number of total credits for all terms, and maintain a minimum grade point average. New York State Academic Progress and Program Pursuit Charts Undergraduate Graduate Students who do not complete the minimum number of credits in a given semester are ineligible for New York State financial aid for the following term or until additional credits are completed to reach the minimum level.  Grades of "I" must be completed within one semester to have the credits counted for New York State grant and scholarship purposes. Credits from repeating a course do not count towards the TAP full-time requirement. Although the academic progress standards allow ten semesters for completion of a bachelor's degree, the maximum award period at the undergraduate level is four years, except for students enrolled in the Educational Opportunity Program. Declaring A Major To be considered matriculated for financial aid purposes, the New York State Education Department requires that students enrolled in a baccalaureate program declare a major by the beginning of their junior year.   Students who later change their majors are still considered to be matriculated.   Waivers of the Progress Standards Students who fall below the minimum criteria stated previously may be eligible to receive one waiver of the satisfactory academic progress or pursuit of program criteria during their undergraduate career.  In addition, students who lose TAP eligibility because they do not have a "C" average after receiving four TAP payments may request a waiver of the satisfactory academic progress standards.   Sufficient and documented reasons must be presented for the student's inability to meet the minimum standards.  Procedures for granting waivers will follow University policies relating to the appeals procedure for academic dismissal from the University.  If granted, the waiver becomes part of the student's financial aid record and the student is expected to make minimum progress thereafter. Important TAP Dates TAP Application Deadline The TAP application deadline is May 1 of the academic year for which aid is sought. Summer 2009 TAP Dates Student Action May 30, 2008 Students receiving TAP must be in good academic standing. July 30, 2008 Students must be matriculated and registered for 12 credits or more. August 28, 2008 Juniors must have a major declared. Fall 2009 TAP Dates Student Action August 31, 2009 Students receiving TAP must be in good academic standing. September 28, 2009 Students must be matriculated and registered for 12 credits or more. October 14, 2009 Juniors must have a major declared. Spring 2010 TAP Dates Student Action January 20, 2010 Students receiving TAP must be in good academic standing. Fevruary 17, 2010 Students must be matriculated and registered for 12 credits or more. March 4, 2010 Juniors must have a major declared.