WSSU students get 'SAP'ed

As Winston-Salem State students returned to campus from the holiday break, they were surprised to see their financial aid was not posted on their Banner Rams account.

They were informed that they have not made Satisfactory Academic Progress.

SAP is a federal and state requirement students must meet.

 The federal government requires financial aid to monitor student progress under three conditions: a 67 percent completion for graduation; a minimum GPA of 2.0 per semester; and no more than 180 hours completed.

"Federal and state government are now looking more stringently at students' rates of progression when it comes to financial aid," said Robert Muhammad, director of financial aid.

An email was sent Dec. 16 to all students that informed them to check their email and Banner Rams account over the holiday break. The SAP policy was attached to the email which informed students that their progress is monitored every semester.

"They [students] have to understand we can't run SAP until grades are posted," said Katrenna Rogers, assistant director of accounting.

"We had to see if students were meeting the requirements for federal aid."

Another email was sent Dec. 23 to remind students to check their [financial aid] status on Banner Rams.

The due date for the paperwork was extended until Jan. 17.

"I was pretty upset when they took away my grants," said Brian Davis, a sophomore history major from Philadelphia.

"This was the first semester I was able to get a grant."

If students do not meet the requirements, they are placed in one of three categories: warning, probation, or suspension of financial aid.

Students who are placed in a warning or a probationary status must complete an Academic Plan for Success and a SAP appeal form.

The Academic Plan for Success became a federal requirement July  2011.

The academic plan allows students to meet with representatives from University College, their academic adviser, or any other faculty or administrator to help them create a plan for the semester following the warning or probationary status.

If students do well the following semester, they are removed from probation. If students do not do well, they have another opportunity to be on probation.  Students who have continuous issues with meeting the requirements will have their financial aid suspended.

To appeal a suspension, students must write a letter and provide documentation to explain why they have not met the requirements.

The results of the appeal  determines if a student can be placed back on probation.

A student has more than three opportunities to meet the requirements.

"Always check your WSSU email account. That's how we [financial aid] communicates with students," Rogers said.

"At least check Banner [Rams] once a week to make sure nothing has changed."

As of Jan. 20, the Office of Financial Aid is no longer reviewing SAP appeal forms.

Steven Williams, a mass communications major from Charlotte, said he thinks the SAP policy is functional and it serves its purpose.

"Students know they have to keep their GPA up to be competitive in the job market and to get into graduate programs."

Payment arrangements must be made with Billings and Receivables for those whose  financial aid has been suspended.

"My advice to students would be to get familiar with the SAP policy," Muhammad said.