Main Content Region

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Post-Baccalaureates

The Cal State San Bernardino Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP) Policy details the academic progress you must maintain to continued eligibility to receive financial aid. SAP policies and procedures may change from year to year based on Federal Title IV Regulations. The Financial Aid SAP Policy may differ from academic regulations.

Eligibility

To be eligible for financial aid at Cal State San Bernardino, students must meet the SAP requirements which support the University's mission and strategic plan.

To be eligible for financial aid, a student must:

  1. Meet the GPA requirements based on academic class level, and
  2. Successfully earn the attempted number of units for his/her status, and
  3. Successfully complete degree within the allowable unit/term cap.

Credential and Other Post-Baccalaureate Students

A full-time credential or second bachelor's student is defined as a student enrolled in 12 units per academic term. The unit requirement for half time is defined as 6 units per term.

Graduate/Doctoral Students

A full-time graduate or doctoral student is defined as a student enrolled in 6 units of graduate level coursework (5000 level or above) per academic term. The unit requirement for half time is defined as 3 units of graduate level coursework (5000 or above) per term.

Graduate students must complete a minimum of 66.6% of their attempted coursework, and earn a minimum 3.0 GPA per term to maintain eligibility for financial aid.

NOTE: At the end of each term, your academic progress will be assessed to determine eligibility for the upcoming term.  If you fail to meet the SAP standards, you will be notified via email and will not be eligible for financial aid thereafter.
 

Unit Requirements
Meets SAP Credential ⁄ Second B.A Meets SAP Graduate
85%-Above 66.6%

Percentage is calculated at the end of the academic year, by the number of earned units divided by the number of units attempted.

Do you want to know if you're meeting the unit requirement, use the Unit Calculator.

Unit Calculator

See Pass and Fail examples -- Unit Calculator Examples

Overall Career Requirements 

The student must complete his or her educational program within a time frame no longer than 150 percent of the published length of the educational program, as measured by credits attempted and including transfer credits (for example, the student must complete his or her program after attempting a maximum of 54 credits for a 36 credit program).

 

GPA Requirements
Program Meets SAP GPA
Credential 2.3-Above
2nd BA 2.0-Above
Graduate 3.0-Above

Duration of Eligibility

A post-baccalaureate student is defined as one who has received a bachelor's degree. Post-baccalaureate students pursuing a degree or credential are limited up to a maximum of 8 terms with or without financial aid for completion of degree objective.

Most graduate students are limited up to a maximum of 8 terms with or without financial aid for completion of degree objective.

Grading and Acceptable Coursework

The following grades will count as units attempted with zero units earned. The letter grade RP/SP will be acceptable as completed course work for the calendar year or until the grade is changed, whichever occurs first.

Grading and Acceptable Coursework
Letter Grade Meaning/Description
F Failing
FW Failed, Withdrew
W Withdrawn
WU Withdrawn Unauthorized
UW Unofficial Withdrawal
I Incomplete Authorized
IC Incomplete Charged
AU Audit
WZ Wait Adjusted Failed
NC No Credit
RD Report Delayed
WE Withdrawn extenuating circumstances

Grade changes

If your grade changes, please notify the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Course repetitions

A student may retake a previously passed course, one time. For this purpose, passed means any grade higher than an “F”. Otherwise, a course may be repeated until a passing grade of D- or higher has been received.

Disqualification or Dismissal

Any student who has been academically disqualified or dismissed from the University is not eligible for financial aid.

Regaining Eligibility

Students, who do not meet the Cal State San Bernardino Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy requirements, will lose eligibility for financial aid. For further information on how to regain financial aid eligibility, please read the Satisfactory Academic Progress Procedures by clicking on the link provided below.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Procedures