Investing In A PAFA Education

2022-2023 Dependent Student Verification Form

2022-2023 Independent Student Verification Form

2022-2023 Special Circumstances Appeal

This is PAFA’s current Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.  It supersedes the policy that is in the PAFA Financial Affairs Policies handbook. The Department of Education requires schools to monitor a student's academic progress in order for the student to remain eligible for federal financial aid and to establish a written policy in that regard. Students are expected to meet the standards outlined below in PAFA’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy. All components of the policy must be met each year in order for a student to remain eligible for federal financial assistance for the following academic year.

Academic progress is checked at the end of each academic year in May. Failure to meet the minimum completion percentage (of attempted vs. completed credit hours) or maintain the minimum GPA will result in the student being placed on academic warning for the next academic year. (Students who have one or more incompletes at the end of the year will be notified in July if they have failed SAP and have been placed on academic warning.) Failure to meet the minimum completion percentage or come up to the minimum GPA by the conclusion of the next academic year will result in the cancellation of all federal financial aid for the following year. If there were extenuating circumstances which lead to the student's failure, they may submit an appeal up to two weeks from the date they are notified. See process below.

Students who are notified that they have failed SAP after the grace period of the next academic year are ineligible for all forms of federal financial aid including:

• Federal Pell Grant
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
• Federal Work-Study
• Federal Direct PLUS Loans (Parent and Graduate)
• Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans

Recipients of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) Grant must also follow academic progress guidelines set by the PHEAA. PAFA has designed a SAP policy that meets the requirements of both federal and state agencies.

SAP does not impact PAFA scholarships, though many scholarships do have GPA and enrollment requirements. Students with private loans should contact their lender to determine any academic requirements. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for financial aid eligibility should not be confused with PAFA’s Academic Standing Policy.  These are two distinct and totally separate policies.  It is possible to fail to meet minimum standards of one policy and pass the minimum standard of the other. PAFA will notify you via email if it has been determined that you are failing SAP.

GPA Requirements 

 Please note: GPA requirements for merit scholarships may differ from SAP GPA requirements. 

Completion Percentage

You must complete the appropriate percent of all courses attempted since the start of your enrollment in your current academic level (undergraduate or graduate). The completion percentage is calculated by dividing the total hours earned by the total hours attempted. It is also important to understand how specific grades and/or course types count toward your completion percentage. The following grades count as attempted but not completed courses: Incomplete (I), Withdraw (W). Both transfers and advanced placement credits count as attempted and completed courses. The required completion percentages are detailed in the chart below.

150 Percent of Time to Degree

You may not receive any federal aid if you enroll beyond 150 percent of the published program length without graduating. For example, if you are enrolled in a four-year program and you do not complete/earn your degree within six years, you will become ineligible to continue receiving federal aid.

If it has been determined that you are failing SAP and there were extenuating circumstances such as a serious illness or death of a parent that prevented you from being successful, you may submit an appeal for consideration. Successful appeals can result in reinstatement of financial aid under a financial aid probation status. To file an SAP Appeal, please complete the SAP Appeal Form and submit to the Dean of Students. Make sure to attach any supporting documentation regarding the circumstances you describe in your appeal. You will be notified by the Dean of Students if your appeal is approved or denied. If approved, you will be required to complete a SAP Academic Plan in coordination with the School Registrar. This Academic plan must be returned to the Dean of Students in order for your financial aid to disburse to your account.

The College Financing Plan (CFP) is a standardized financial aid form for all colleges and universities to assist in making aid and cost comparisons for multiple schools simpler and easier to read.  The CFP is provided by the Department of Education and made available to all undergraduate and military students.  Once you have been accepted at PAFA and have a financial aid package, you will receive an email with a financial aid award letter and a separate email containing your CFP.

The Department of Education has provided a reference guide which contains a summary of each section on your College Financing Plan.

The CFP is not an estimated PAFA bill, and the Net Costs amount listed will be much higher than your estimated college charges.  In addition to the estimated Direct Costs (tuition/fees/on campus housing), it includes other Indirect Costs that are not billed by PAFA.  These include allowances for off campus housing, meals, books & supplies, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses.  The allowances for these indirect costs vary widely, so in comparing schools, you’re encouraged to compare the estimated Net Direct Costs.  This figure can be calculated by subtracting your financial aid (not including federal work study) from your Total Direct Costs.