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Student Financial Aid

Federal Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress – MD Degree

Federal financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (FFA-SAP) standards for federal financial aid are separate from academic policies that the School of Medicine may require for degree completion. Students must be meeting FFA-SAP standards, as defined by the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships, to remain eligible for federal Title IV student aid. Students receiving federal Title IV financial assistance will have a FFA-SAP evaluation annually in August when the previous year grades have been submitted. At each evaluation period students must be meeting all three components of the FFA-SAP policy, qualitative (grade-based), quantitative (pace), and maximum timeframe.

  • Qualitative: The qualitative measurement evaluates the quality (academic standing) of academic work. The student is responsible for notifying the Office of Student Financial Aid if an earned grade is later received. Students are awarded grades of Pass (P), Honors (H), High Pass (HP), Marginal Pass (P*), Incomplete (I), and Fail (F). P, H, and HP grades demonstrate satisfactory achievement in all aspects/domains of coursework. P* and I grades are temporary, and student grades in those classes will be evaluated in subsequent years. Students who receive F grades fail Satisfactory Academic Progress.
  • Quantitative: Pace is calculated by dividing the total cumulative classes by the total cumulative attempted classes, including repeated classes. The result must be 67% or greater, which means a student must complete and pass at least two-thirds of attempted classes. A reported grade of P*, I or W is included in attempted classes.
  • Maximum Timeframe: For each graduate/professional program, the maximum timeframe is defined by the individual schools and based on the length of the program. The MD program has a maximum timeframe of six years.

Financial Aid Suspension Status for Graduate/Professional Students

Students who do not meet the qualitative, quantitative, or maximum timeframe components, or are placed on academic probation, will be suspended from Title IV funding until the student is back in good academic standing and on schedule as required for satisfactory progress.

Appeal Process

Any student whose federal Title IV student aid is suspended may submit an appeal for reinstatement of aid to the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships. The appeal for reinstatement should include the following elements:

  • An explanation of extenuating circumstances, such as injury, illness, death of a relative, or other special circumstance as to why you failed to meet satisfactory academic progress requirements.
  • An explanation of what has changed that will now allow you to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress at the end of the next semester.
  • Include supporting documentation from medical doctors, advisors, psychologists, etc., to verify the information you are including in your personal statement. Failure to provide information may result in your appeal being denied.

Financial Aid Probation Status

If the student’s appeal is approved, federal aid eligibility will be reinstated for one additional term on a probationary basis. The student must meet FFA-SAP at the end of the probationary period in order to continue to remain eligible for federal Title IV student aid. If it is determined, based on the appeal, that the student will require more than one additional term to meet progress standards, then the student will be placed on an academic plan, developed in collaboration with School of Medicine administration. If the student meets the requirements of the academic plan, the student is eligible to receive Title IV aid.

Reinstatement of Aid 

Students whose federal Title IV aid is suspended may have aid eligibility reinstated once FFA-SAP standards are met. It will be the student’s responsibility to notify the Office of Student Financial Aid for a reevaluation of FFA-SAP and Title IV eligibility.