Satisfactory Academic Progress

Federal financial aid funds are awarded with the understanding that students, after the second year of enrollment, will maintain a minimum of a 2.0 college GPA. Federal aid is also limited to one-and-a-half times the length of the program for a full-time student (i.e., students have the equivalent of three full-time years to complete an associate degree and the equivalent of six full-time years to complete a bachelor's degree).

At the end of spring quarter each year, the academic records of all students who are receiving or applying for federal financial aid will be reviewed. Students who fail to make progress will be sent an email notifying them that they are no longer eligible to receive federal financial aid funds and providing options for restoring eligibility. 

Full Details of the UC Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Federal Aid (Title IV) Programs

• Undergraduate Student Standards (and associated Notes)
• Graduate Student Standards
  • Important Information on IP Grades for Graduate Students
• Definition of Full-time Equivalent Year
• Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Procedures
• Satisfactory Academic Progress Brochure*

Additionally, students (employees, spouses, domestic partners, or dependents) receiving UC tuition remission are subject to a specific tuition remission satisfactory progress policy related to their eligibility for receiving that benefit.

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While some students do not meet the GPA requirement, students more often place their aid eligibility in jeopardy by withdrawing from, receiving incomplete (I)grades in, or otherwise not satisfactorily completing their coursework.

Progress is not a measurement of going full-time or part-time. It is not a race to the degree.

Register only for a course load you can handle. Concern for meeting the progress standard is most often due to registering for courses yet not successfully completing them.