For Financial Aid Purposes
Federal regulations require that Union Theological Seminary monitor the Satisfactory Academic Progress (“SAP”) of degree-seeking students to determine their eligibility for federal financial aid programs. At Union, students must meet all SAP requirements to remain eligible for institutional and federal funding. Federal regulations require that Union begin tracking SAP for all students from the first date of enrollment at the Seminary, whether or not financial aid was received. SAP for financial aid purposes is evaluated at the end of each semester for all students, except those in the PhD program. SAP for PhD students is assessed at the end of each academic year.
Guidelines
The SAP standard requires that Union monitor two components of a student’s academic progress:
- quantitative progress (pace of completion) and;
- qualitative progress (academic standing as measured by grade point average equivalent).
The Registrar provides a periodic report with the students’ quantitative data and qualitative information to the Office of Financial Aid. This will be reviewed by the Director of Financial Aid, with consultation to the Vice President of Admissions and Financial Aid, the Academic Dean, and the Assistant Dean of Academic Administration. Such information is documented through notation in the student’s academic file. A student will be notified of lack of SAP via electronic correspondence sent to their Seminary email address.
Maximum Time to Completion
The table below sets forth the Maximum Time to Completion for all UTS degree programs. For all degree seeking students, all requirements for their respective programs must be completed as stated below. Part-time students enrolled in 6 or fewer credits per semester must also complete the program within the maximum time to completion set forth below.
| Degree Program | Published Program Duration | Maximum Time to Completion |
| MDiv | 3 years | 6 years |
| MA | 2 years | 4 years |
| STM | 1 year | 2 years |
| DMin | 3 years | 5 years |
| PhD | 10 years |
Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards
MDiv, MAR, MASJ, STM, and DMin Students
Pacing (quantitative) standard:
Full-time students must successfully complete 70% of cumulative credits attempted at each evaluation period. Part-time students must complete 50% of cumulative credits attempted during their first evaluation period (first semester of study), 67% of cumulative credits during their second evaluation period (second semester of study) and 70% of cumulative credits attempted in each subsequent evaluation period. Those who do not receive federal aid in a semester, but who subsequently apply for assistance, must also meet the credit accumulation standard in order to receive federal funds.
- Those students who do not receive federal aid in a semester, but who subsequently apply for assistance, must also meet the credit accumulation standard in order to receive federal funds
- Course graded Withdrawal (W), Extension (EXT), Failure to Withdraw (WF) and /or No Credit (NC) will be considered credits attempted but not completed
- Credits from two-semester courses with an In Progress (IP) grade for the first completed semester are excluded from consideration for SAP purposes.
- Failed and subsequently repeated coursework counts as attempted but not completed credits. All future enrollments of repeated courses count as separate attempts.
- Transfer credits accepted from other institutions are not included in pace calculations
- SAP will include credit hours pursued via a cross-registration agreement with another institution or through an approved dual degree program
- Should a student transfer into a different degree program at Union, SAP will be reviewed on the basis of the requirements for the program to which the student transferred, with appropriate consideration given to Union courses accepted for transfer into the new program.
Grade Equivalent (qualitative) standard:
Federal regulations require the calculation of a minimum grade equivalent average for financial aid purposes. The minimum Title IV requirement for a student in their second academic year is a “Credit” (CR) average or standing consistent with graduation.
PhD Students
Pacing (quantitative) standard
PhD students must satisfactorily complete 40 credits during their two-year residency.
Grade Equivalent (qualitative) standard
Federal regulations require the calculation of a minimum grade equivalent average for financial aid purposes. The minimum Title IV requirement for a student in their second academic year is a “Credit” (CR) average or standing consistent with graduation.
Failure to Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
Financial Aid Warning
A student who fails to maintain satisfactory academic progress will first be placed on financial warning. During this first semester on financial aid warning, the student will continue to receive federal aid. If the student comes into compliance with SAP standards at the end of the warning term, their financial aid eligibility is restored.
Not Aid Eligible
Based on federal requirements, students who fail to meet SAP for a second consecutive semester or reach the end of their maximum time of completion, are no longer eligible to receive federal financial aid and will have their aid suspended. During the suspension, students are not eligible for institutional or federal financial aid. Students are able to apply for Non-Union scholarships and private (non-federal) loans. Once the student comes back into compliance with SAP standards, their financial aid eligibility is restored.
Financial Aid Probation
All students have the right to appeal the suspension of their financial aid up to two (2) times. Students whose appeals are approved will be placed on financial aid probation for one semester and will continue to receive aid. Generally, appeals are requested on the basis of injury or illness, the death of a relative, or other special circumstances that impacted academic performance.
Aid Eligibility Appeals and Reinstatement
Consistent with policies and procedures for academic appeals of dismissal, a student who has failed to meet SAP standards and has had their financial aid suspended may submit an Aid Eligibility Appeal. Students are allowed to submit up to two (2) Aid Eligibility Appeals during their time at Union. An Aid Eligibility Appeal must be submitted in writing within ten days of the student being notified that their financial aid has been suspended.
All Aid Eligibility Appeals must be reviewed by a joint review committee composed of the Academic Dean, Assistant Academic Dean of Academic Administration, the Vice President of Admissions and Financial Aid, the Director of Financial Aid, the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, and the Registrar. An Aid Eligibility Appeal may be submitted either on the basis of a student’s failure to meet SAP standards or a student failing to graduate within the Maximum Time to Completion.
SAP Appeals
The student must submit a letter that describes the factors that preventing them from meeting the SAP standard. Additionally, the appeal letter must describe what has or will change and what support systems are in place to allow the student to meet the SAP standard by the end of the subsequent term. The student is also encouraged to provide supporting documentation, if necessary. If it is possible for the student to return to SAP compliant status in one semester, the appeal may be approved without the requirement for an Academic Plan. If the student will require more than one semester to return to SAP compliant status, the student must have an Academic Plan approved by the Academic Dean in order to be granted a successful appeal.
The Academic Dean will make the final decision on the matter and shall inform the student of the appeal decision within ten days.
Maximum Time to Completion Appeal
In most cases, a student who is submitting an Aid Eligibility Appeal on the basis of their failure to meet the Maximum Time to Completion standard must have been granted an approved leave of absence and such leave must be on file with the Academic Office prior to the appeal.
Reinstatement
If an appeal is granted, the student will be placed on financial aid probation and federal aid will be disbursed for the semester. The student’s record will be reviewed at the conclusion of the subsequent semester and the student must meet either all SAP requirements (in the absence of an Academic plan) or be meeting the requirements of an approved academic plan or degree audit. So long as the student continues to meet these requirements, the student will remain eligible for financial aid. If the student fails to meet SAP requirements or fails to meet the requirements of an academic plan/degree audit, the student will lose their financial aid eligibility and their aid will be suspended. This decision is final and not subject to appeal.
Impact of Financial Aid Warnings, Probations and Suspensions on Registration
A student may still register for courses and maintain status in their degree program, whether she/he has received a financial aid warning, has had their financial aid suspended or is currently on financial aid probation, provided that the student still meets the academic regulations of their program of study. Any student who registers for a term during which their status is Not Aid Eligible is obligated to pay current tuition and fees, even though financial aid was not awarded.
Check with the Financial Aid Office (212) 280-1531 for more information.
