Satisfactory Academic Progress
All American Sentinel University degree programs require that students meet certain criteria in order to graduate. These requirements are program specific, as follows:
Associate of Science Programs
- Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of at least a 2.0.
- Associate of Science degree students who do not maintain the minimum required GPA for the first 12 hours of course work, or at any point thereafter, will be placed on academic probation. Students who remain on academic probation for additional terms of course work may be subject to assessment of academic penalty up to and including termination of enrollment.
Bachelor of Science Programs
- Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of at least a 2.0.
- Bachelor of Science degree students who do not maintain the minimum required GPA for the first 12 hours of course work, or at any point thereafter, will be placed on academic probation. Students who remain on academic probation for additional terms of course work may be subject to assessment of academic penalty up to and including termination of enrollment.
Master of Science Programs
- Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.0.
- Graduate students will not be allowed to graduate with more than two graduate courses with a grade of B- or below, even if their cumulative GPA is higher than a 3.0.
Doctoral Programs
- Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.0.
- Doctoral students will not be allowed to graduate with more than two graduate courses with a grade of B or below, even if their cumulative GPA is higher than a 3.0.
Academic Progress Warning and Probation
The first offense will result in the student being placed on an academic progress warning. The student will have one additional evaluation period to correct the deficiency and meet the minimum requirements at the next evaluation point. This warning period will be whatever time is required for the student to attempt a minimum of 12 credits. Student will be notified via email and can continue to take courses during this time. Cumulative GPAs are calculated using grades earned only at American Sentinel.
The second offense will result in the student being placed on academic progress probation. The student will have one additional evaluation period to correct the deficiency and meet the minimum requirements at the next evaluation point. This probation period will be whatever time is required for the student to attempt a minimum of 12 credits. Student will be notified via email, can continue to take courses during this time but will be placed on a Probation Hold.
The third consecutive offense will result in the student being dismissed.
Students placed on academic warning, probation or suspension will be provided with written notification that continued unsatisfactory progress will result in termination from American Sentinel University.
Academic Progress Appeals
Certain academic actions require notification and may be appealed. These can include:
- Academic warning and probation
- Academic dismissal
Academic appeals must be in writing and must be submitted to the Dean prior to the end of the add/drop period of the subsequent term. Written appeals will be considered by the institution’s Provost or the Grievance and Appeals Committee. Written appeals must contain:
- The student’s name and student ID number
- The date the appeal was submitted
- The student’s program of study
- The last date of attendance for inactive students
- The reason and nature of the appeal, including the decision or action appealed from
- The specific relief that is sought by the appeal
- An explanation and documentation of any extenuating circumstances
- The student’s signature and date of appeal
It is the student’s responsibility to meet the appeal deadline by the end of the first week of the new term. The Provost or the Grievance and Appeals Committee will take action on the appeal within five (5) business days. Written documentation of the final appeal disposition will become a part of the student’s academic file. The student will be notified of the final disposition in writing and will be given a copy of the final disposition which must be signed and dated.
Decisions of Provost or the Grievance and Appeals Committee will be final.
Appeals may be made only under mitigating circumstances. The student may be required to meet certain conditions to continue or resume enrollment. Appeals granted with conditions must clearly describe the conditions and any time requirements within which they must be fulfilled. Tracking and follow up on the conditions of the appeal must be recorded and placed in the student’s file. A student who fails to meet appeal conditions is subject to immediate dismissal.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
- Title IV, Federal Financial Aid recipients only
American Sentinel University’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy is a cumulative measure of a student’s academic performance and includes all terms and semesters of the student’s enrollment at the university. Both quantitative and qualitative standards are used to evaluate SAP.
American Sentinel evaluates a student’s SAP at the end of each semester/ payment period for students receiving federal financial aid. American Sentinel will notify any student who is failing to achieve SAP standards in writing. The following chart provides the minimum quantitative and qualitative requirements:
| Satisfactory Academic Progress Level | Total Semester Credits Attempted (including transferred credits*) | Minimum Cumulative Credits Completed | Minimum CGPA Required for Financial Aid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 0-24 | 67% | 1.50 |
| 25-45 | 67% | 1.75 | |
| 46+ | 67% | 2.00 | |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 0-45 | 67% | 1.50 |
| 46-60 | 67% | 1.50 | |
| 61-90 | 67% | 1.75 | |
| 91+ | 67% | 2.00 | |
| Master’s Degree | 0-9 | 50% | 2.00 |
| 10-18 | 67% | 2.50 | |
| 19-24 | 67% | 2.75 | |
| 25+ | 67% | 3.00 |
*Credits transferred in from another college or university via an official transfer credit evaluation are factored into the above calculation but transfer credits do not affect the student’s GPA calculation.
- A course withdrawal (W) assigned after the add/ drop week is not included in the GPA but is considered towards a student’s non-completion of attempted coursework.
- An Incomplete (I) grade is not included in the GPA but is considered towards a student’s non-completion of attempted coursework until the grade is replaced with a permanent grade and the progress can be re-evaluated.
- A failing (F) grade or an attendance failure (AF) are treated as attempted credits that were not earned and are included in both qualitative and quantitative calculations.
Maximum Time Frame for Completion
Additionally, all students who receive federal financial aid under Title IV of the Higher Education Act are required to complete their programs of study within 150% of the published length of the program. The following maximum time frames apply to each degree program:
- Associate degrees – The published length is 60 semester credits. The maximum period must not exceed 90 total semester credits attempted.
- Bachelor’s degrees – The published length is 120 semester credits. The maximum period must not exceed 180 total semester credits attempted.
- Master’s degrees – The published length is 36 semester credits. The maximum period must not exceed 54 total semester credits attempted.
Students residing in the state of Arkansas should refer to the State Regulatory section of the Academic Catalog for specific information regarding credit hour requirements and the impact that might have to their financial aid.
Financial Aid Warning and Probation
American Sentinel University’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy is a cumulative measure of a student’s academic performance and includes all terms and semesters of the student’s enrollment at the university. Both quantitative and qualitative standards are used to evaluate SAP. Failure to maintain SAP may result in academic probation and loss of federal financial aid.
SAP is measured after each payment period (at the end of each semester) for financial aid students. If a review of the student’s academic record indicates SAP has not been met, the student will be given a financial aid warning. The student will remain eligible for federal student aid for one semester, after which SAP will again be reviewed. Students will receive a financial aid warning letter via email.
Financial Aid Denied Status
If the cumulative grade point average and completion rate continues to be less than the minimum standard at the end of this evaluation period the student will lose eligibility for Title IV (federal financial aid). The student must successfully appeal ineligibility for Title IV to be placed on probation. No aid will be disbursed during the subsequent semesters unless the student has made an appeal and the appeal is granted for that semester. There are no exceptions to this requirement. Students placed on Financial Aid Denied status will be notified via email. You will be given a deadline for appeal in this letter.
Financial Aid Appeals Process
The student must submit a written appeal of Financial Aid Denied status before the deadline to the Financial Aid Office. The appeal must include documentation of the circumstance that led to their not meeting SAP standards as well as a description as to how they will be able to meet SAP at the end of the next payment period. Circumstances which may be considered include death of a family member, unexpected injury or illness of the student or other circumstances as supported with documentation.
The Financial Aid Appeals Committee will review the appeal and notify the student in writing of their decision after the Appeals Committee meets and makes its determination. Appeals will not be granted unless the student’s proposed enrollment in the upcoming semester would be adequate to reestablish their progress under these standards
All decisions of the Financial Aid Appeals Committee are final.
Re-Establishment of Financial Aid Eligibility
The student submits a written letter of appeal and the Financial Aid Appeals Committee grants the appeal. The student is placed on Financial Aid Probation for the next payment period. Financial aid probation means that the student who failed to make satisfactory academic progress and who has appealed has had eligibility for aid reinstated. At the end of that probationary semester their SAP status will be reevaluated. The student must meet all SAP requirements at the end of that semester or they will return to Financial Aid Denied status and must reestablish eligibility.
