Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) must be maintained by a student to receive funds administered by the Financial Aid Office at Columbia Business School (CBS). In accordance with state and federal regulations, CBS has established standards of SAP for all students checked officially on an academic year basis. These standards apply to all merit-based awards and loan programs administered by the Financial Aid Office. The purpose of these regulations is to encourage the timely and successful completion of an eligible degree. When accepting disbursement of a financial aid award you are entering into a contract with the Financial Aid Office agreeing to maintain satisfactory academic progress. It is important that you read and understand our full SAP Policy.
Three Conditions for Meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress
- Minimum GPA requirements, probation, and dismissal
- Pace of completion; and
- Maximum timeframe to complete a degree
Minimum GPA, Probation & Dismissal
All students are required to hold a GPA of 5.5 to graduate. During the academic review process at the end of each semester, the Office of Student Affairs monitors the academic performance of all students and makes available a support system for those in need of assistance.
Students whose cumulative GPAs fall below the minimum requirements are subject to probation or dismissal.
Students who are deemed to be not making SAP are not eligible for merit-based aid and federal loans in subsequent semesters. During the academic review process at the end of each semester, Student Affairs monitors the academic performance of all students and makes available a support system for those in need of assistance. For dual degree students, the Business School GPA is determined by the grades received while in residence at the Business School and includes all courses taken in those semesters, even those offered by the student’s other school. Grades for Business School courses taken while in residence at their other school are not included in their cumulative GPA for the Business School.
Minimum cumulative GPA requirements for Good Academic Standing, Academic Probation, and Academic Dismissal are below:
| Good Academic Standing | GPA equal to or greater than 5.5000 |
| Academic Probation | GPA less than 5.5000 and greater than or equal to 3.7000 |
| Academic Dismissal | GPA less than 3.7000 |
Pace of Completion
You must complete at least 67% of credit hours attempted each semester to remain compliant with SAP Policy. Credit hour progression will be based on a cumulative total of attempted hours to earned hours. For example, a full-time student who attempts 18 credits in a semester must successfully complete at least 12 credits to meet the 67% requirement. However, credits that are not completed will count towards maximum units attempted towards degree objective.
Maximum Timeframe to Complete a Degree
The maximum allowable timeframe for receiving aid is equal to 150% of the length of your academic program. For a breakdown by program please visit our SAP Policy.
Consequences of Failure to Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress
If the student meets all three of the conditions listed above, they remain eligible to receive merit aid and federal loans in the next semester of enrollment.
A student on Probation, at the end of their first academic year, is ineligible to receive merit aid and federal student loans in the next term. Only private loans can be borrowed. Your academic standing will be reviewed in each subsequent term to determine if a student has regained eligibility.
Appeal Process
Students who are not meeting satisfactory academic progress (SAP) have the option to appeal. To begin the appeal process, students should complete the following steps:
Initiate the appeal process by submitting a written appeal detailing the circumstances that led to the loss of your financial aid eligibility (along with any supporting documentation). Examples of circumstances that could be appealed include (but are not limited to): the serious physical or mental illness of the student, the serious physical or mental illness of a student’s immediate family member, death of a student’s immediate family member, or other extenuating circumstances.
In consultation with an academic advisor, an Academic Plan will outline the action that the student will need to take in order to ensure that academic progress improves in the subsequent term.
If the appeal is approved, students will have one semester to meet the requirements listed in the Academic Plan in order to remain eligible for financial aid in the subsequent term.