Writing a SAP Statement

Students are required to meet the standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in order to maintain their eligibility for federal financial aid. If a student does not meet the standards of SAP, they may be placed on suspension and lose access to federal financial aid.

You may appeal your SAP suspension if you experienced valid extenuating circumstances that led to your academic difficulty including:

  • Medical emergencies
  • Health issues
  • Personal, financial, or family problems

Review the information below for tips on how to write a SAP statement describing your extenuating circumstances and to learn what documentation can be provided to back up your situation. 

SAP Statement Requirements

Your statement should describe in detail the situation or events that led to your academic difficulties. Aim for at least three paragraphs, no longer than two pages. The letter must be written by you and be in your own words. You may include letters written by other people, if necessary, as supporting documentation.

Your signed statement must include: 

  • A description of the extenuating circumstances that prevented you from meeting SAP standards.
  • The steps you plan to take to ensure you continue to meet SAP standards in the future (e.g., CWI resources, detailed study plan, etc.). 
  • Documentation of your extenuating circumstances (e.g., doctor’s note, obituary, letter from mental health professional, etc.) if you can provide them. Note that students submitting any appeal after their first will be required to provide some documentation.

Documentation Requirements

Relevant supporting documentation is required to verify your extenuating circumstances. This will vary depending on your situation. If needed, Financial Aid may request additional documentation from you.

Documentation can include, but is not limited to:

  • Letter from your doctor, screenshot of visit summary, or appointment notes.
  • Copy of bill from hospital, urgent care, or your physician.
  • Obituary, funeral notice, or death certificate.
  • Court or police records.
  • Letter from your instructor or advisor.
  • Verification of appointment times with an academic resource (e.g., Tutoring Services, Math Solutions Center, Writing & AI Literacy Center, etc.).
  • Appointment times with a student support service (e.g., Success Coach, Counseling, Disability Services, etc.).

If you are unsure about what can be used as documentation, please contact Financial Aid.