The Academic Resource Plan

The Center for Student Success works individually with students who are not making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to create an Academic Resource Plan for a successful return to "Good Progress." The Academic Resource Plan guides students during their SAP Warning semester to develop skills and find tools for success. Students must meet all three requirements to be considered making "Good Progress” and maintain eligibility for financial aid programs.

Click the following link to request an Academic Resource Plan through the Center for Student Success. The form can take as little as 6 minutes to complete: Academic Resource Plan

Need more information? Keep reading.

A NOTE ABOUT SAP POLICY

Federal regulations require all schools participating in Title IV federal financial aid programs to have a Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy that establishes and applies uniform standards to academic progress. Student Financial Services monitors and enforces SAP Policy, for more information, click below:

SAP Policy Overview

Satisfactory Academic Progress Information

  • All students should monitor their Academic Progress
    • Generally speaking, if your GPA is 2.5 or lower and/or you are unable to earn at least 12 credits each semester, you should connect with campus partners for support. Our office can assist with that.
    • Earning a GPA of 2.5 or higher can open doors to continuing student scholarships, fellowships, and other competitive programs.
       
  • The Center for Student Success designed a flowchart to guide you through the process of maintaining or returning to Good Satisfactory Academic Progress. Click the link below to view the flowchart:

It is to your benefit that you request a plan as early in the semester as possible; waiting until later in the semester may be too late to turn things around.

STEP ONE: Request an academic resource plan

  • Students reflect on their academic performance and personal growth leading up to the SAP Warning Semester by requesting an Academic Resource Plan.
    • The plan is available for students to complete on their own or with a Student Success Coach; professional, not peer.
  • After completing the request, students book a meeting with a Student Success Coach to review and build out the plan.

STEP TWO: build out the plan with a student success coach

  • Based on the students request and reflection, the Student Success Coach works with the student to identify an appropriate goal(s) for the upcoming semester.
  • Together, the student and coach determine specific, manageable steps that will be taken to complete the goal in the upcoming semester.
    • Students are also able to identify additional campus partners in support their goal(s) that they would like to include in their Academic Resource Plan.
  • The student signs an acknowledgement agreeing to the terms of the Plan.

STEP THREE: Initiate the plan

  • After the Academic Resource Plan is built, the plan is emailed to the student and Student Success Coach.
  • The student contacts and discusses the plan with any campus partners identified.

  • The plan begins at the start of the semester and concludes before finals.

Ready to request an Academic Resource Plan? Click here: Academic Resource Plan

Maintaining SAP for a degree is defined by meeting minimum requirements for Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA), a credit Completion Ratio and a Maximum Time Limit. The following examples demonstrate how a student may be placed on a SAP Warning Semester, according to the SAP Policy outlined at the link above:

STUDENT FACTS

ARE THEY on SAP Warning?

Undergraduate
GPA: 1.9
Attempted Credits: 28
Earned Credits: 25
Max Time Limit: 8 remaining semesters

NO. Undergraduate students with 0.5 - 29.5 attempted credits are required to meet a 1.8 GPA minimum. 

25 Earned Credits / 28 Attempted = an 89% Completion Ratio, meeting the 67% minimum.

Undergraduate
GPA: 1.2
Attempted Credits: 28
Earned Credits: 25
Max Time Limit: 8 remaining semesters

YES. Undergraduate students with 0.5 - 29.5 attempted credits are required to meet a 1.8 GPA minimum.
Undergraduate
GPA: 2.15
Attempted Credits: 16
Earned Credits: 10
Max Time Limit: 9 remaining semesters		YES. 10 Earned Credits / 16 Attempted = a 62.5% Completion Ratio, not meeting the 67% minimum.
Undergraduate
GPA: 2.15
Attempted Credits: 46
Earned Credits: 44
Max Time Limit: 7 remaining semesters

NO. Undergraduate students with 30 or more attempted credits are required to meet a 2.0 GPA minimum.

44 Earned Credits / 46 Attempted = a 95% Completion Ratio, meeting the 67% minimum.

Undergraduate
GPA: 1.9
Attempted Credits: 46
Earned Credits: 44
Max Time Limit: 7 remaining semesters

YES. Undergraduate students with 30 or more attempted credits are required to meet a 2.0 GPA minimum.

Undergraduate
GPA: 2.2
Attempted Credits: 46
Earned Credits: 30
Max Time Limit: 7 remaining semesters

YES. 30 Earned Credits / 46 Attempted Credits = a 65% Completion Ratio, not meeting the 67% minimum.

Undergraduate
GPA: 1.88
Attempted Credits: 31
Earned Credits: 16
Max Time Limit: 8 remaining semesters

 

YES. Undergraduate students with 30 or more attempted credits are required to meet a 2.0 GPA minimum.

16 Earned Credits / 31 Attempted = a 51% Completion Ratio, not meeting the 67% minimum.

Undergraduate 
GPA: 3.0
Attempted Credits: 150*
Earned Credits: 135
Max Time Limit: 2 remaining semesters

*This student is pursuing a dual degree, requiring 150 credits.

YES. Undergraduate students are required to complete degree requirements within 6 years, or 180 credits. 

Undergraduate
Midterm GPA: 1.7
Attempted Credits: 15
Earned Credits: N/A
Max Time Limit: 9.5 remaining semester		NO. SAP is calculated at the end of each semester, there is no requirement for a midterm GPA. After final grades are calculated, this student must meet a 1.8 GPA minimum.

Graduate
GPA: 2.8
Attempted Credits: 46
Earned Credits: 44

YES. Graduate students are required to meet a 3.0 GPA minimum at all times.

44 Earned Credits / 46 Attempted = a 95% Completion Ratio, meeting the 67% minimum.

Academic Status decisions, such as academic warning and suspension, are made independently of Academic Progress. A student may experience a change in Academic Status at the same time as their Academic Progress. The chart below highlights the differences between Academic Status and Academic Progress.

For more clarification on your Academic Status requirements, connect with your Faculty Advisor or Academic Service Coordinator. We can help with that, too. 

Academic Progress (SAP)

Academic Status

Is measured by...

Cumulative GPA
Completion Ratio
Maximum Time Limit

Cumulative GPA
Earned credits per semester

There may be additional requirements set by your school and/or program, as stated in the 2024 – 2025 Academic Catalog

Is mandated by...

The United States Department of Education

Ithaca College

Is monitored by...

Student Financial Services (SFS)

your Dean’s Office and Department Head

Impacts your...

eligibility to receive federal and institutional aid

eligibility to remain enrolled in your program, school and at Ithaca College

Uses a tiered warning system:

Making Good Progress
SAP Warning Semester
SAP Waiver Semester (not guaranteed)

Good Standing
College Warning
College Suspension
College Dismissal

  • How many times am I allowed a SAP Warning Semester?
    • Students are allowed one SAP Warning Semester
  • What happens if I do not return to "Good Progress" after a SAP Warning Semester?
    • Failure to meet the relevant minimums after a SAP Warning Semester will result in ineligibility for financial aid. Students are then able to appeal for a SAP Waiver Semester and may be approved to extend eligibility for an additional semester.
  • What happens if I need to appeal for a SAP Waiver Semester?
    • Students that need to appeal for a SAP Waiver Semester will be notified via email and should meet with their Dean’s Office ASAP.
  • Why are there requirements to maintain my financial aid package?
    • Recipients of federal student aid and/or institutional funding are expected to make reasonable progress toward their degree as a condition of receiving and continuing to receive that aid.
  • What if I am a Graduate student on SAP Warning?
    • Graduate students placed on a SAP Warning Semester are highly encouraged to meet with their faculty or program advisor before requesting an Academic Resource Plan.

CONTACT US

Our offices are located at 106 Muller Faculty Center. Please feel free to stop by:

Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 5:00PM ET

607-274-3381