Satisfactory Academic Progress Policies

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Federal law requires that institutions monitor the academic progress of students who receive federal financial aid. In order to remain eligible for federal, state and some institutional financial aid, students must comply with TCU’s standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). 

Undergraduate Students

All undergraduate students are evaluated at the end of the spring term.  Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)  requirements include a quantitative measure of GPA, a qualitative measure of credit hours completed compared with credit hours attempted, and a cumulative measure of time to complete a degree.  Unofficial withdrawal from classes, failure to begin attendance, and/or failure to successfully complete registered hours may affect future eligibility for financial aid.  Exceptions apply if a student is on probation or an established aid academic plan.  

Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements

Date	Description
June 3	Complete SAP Appeal applications are due in to the Office of Scholarships and Student Financial Aid.
June 11	Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Committee meeting. Decisions to students within three business days.   [Financial Aid]
June 3	Complete Scholarship Appeal applications are due in to the Office of Scholarships and Student Financial Aid.
June 17	TCU Scholarship Committee meeting. Decisions to students within three business days.   [Merit scholarships]
July 3	Deadline for students to submit an appeal application for the July Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)  Committee meeting.
July 10	Final Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Committee meeting. Decisions to students within three business days.
July 3	Deadline for students to submit a Scholarship Appeal application for the July TCU Scholarship Committee meeting.
July 16	Final Scholarship Committee meeting. Decisions to students within three business days.
Sept 3	Fall 2025 Census Date
Jan 28	Spring 2026 Census Date

Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form

Re-establishing Eligibility

If you do not file an appeal or your appeal is denied and you are not meeting qualitative or quantitative progress components, you may reestablish eligibility for financial aid by taking the following actions: 

• Raise your cumulative GPA to meet the minimum standard (2.0), and
• Successfully complete 75% of attempted hours for the term

You may not regain financial aid eligibility by choosing not to attend TCU for a term(s), or by paying your own tuition and fees for a term(s) if the minimum requirements stated above are not met.

For detailed information, please review the Undergraduate Catalog. 

 

Tuition Equalization Grant (TEG) Hardship Policy

Students who do not meet the renewal requirements to receive TEG in a subsequent year are eligible to submit an appeal to have their award re-instated one of two ways: 

1. For students who did not meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) measures and must appeal to receive all types of financial aid we do not require an additional TEG Hardship Appeal to be submitted for review.  If the SAP committee approves a student’s appeal and the student meets other TEG eligibility requirements, TCU awards TEG and code the student as receiving TEG on a Hardship basis if funds are available.
2. Students who meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) measures, but fail to meet TEG renewal guidelines are eligible to submit a TEG Hardship Appeal.

Students that submit TEG Hardship Appeal are reviewed on a case-by-case basis with professional judgment being exercised by the program officer when making decisions.

*Awards are generally approved if the student’s appeal is deemed reasonable, demonstrates financial need, and funds are available with judgment being used to determine if the student has a realistic chance of meeting future renewal guidelines.

*The Financial Aid Office reviews and awards TEG using the Hardship provisions detailed in the TEG program guidelines (see below) that are posted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s website (www.thecb.state.tx.us) which reference Texas Administrative Code, Section 22.24.

A student who is ineligible for a TEG may be eligible under a hardship provision based on one of the following provisions:

• If the student is enrolled in less than ¾ time of full-time enrollment
• If the student's GPA falls below SAP requirements
• If the student's completion rate falls below SAP requirements
• If the student's number of completed hours falls below SAP requirements
• If the student requires an extension of the year limits to complete their certificate or degree

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (Undergrad)

Graduate/Professional Students

Graduate students are subject to the academic performance standards of their area of study. As long as students are allowed to continue in the degree program, they are considered to be making satisfactory academic progress.

Students are expected to complete master’s degree requirements, including thesis if required, within a period of five years from the date of the earliest credit to be counted on the degree (including transfer credit, if any). Students can contact their individual department for exceptions to this requirement. The work for the Ph.D. degree must be completed within six years after the student has been admitted to candidacy and within seven years of the start of the program. Extension of time must be applied for in writing through the chair of the major department.

Students who are determined as not meeting satisfactory academic progress will not be eligible for financial aid unless they file an appeal with the financial aid office and it is approved.

For detailed information, please review the Graduate Catalog.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (Grad)