SAP Tips

• Selecting a term
  • Select the term that you plan to enroll and would like to regain financial aid eligibility
  • If approved, you will be placed on a plan.  As long as you are meeting the terms of the plan, you will remain eligible for aid.
• Listing credit hours
  • Based on the term selected this section needs to list the credit hours you are currently taking or the credit hours you plan to take (if you selected a future semester). 
• Expected graduation
  • Indiana State University hosts graduation three (3) times an academic year: December, May, and August.  The expected graduation date should be your goal to reach.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Category refers to the reason why you are not making the proper progress. 

Follow these steps to navigate through the MyISU Portal for your specific SAP category:

• Log into the MyISU Portal at http://isuportal.indstate.edu/LoginPolicy.jsp
• Select the Student Self-Service Badge
• Click on the Financial Resources tab
• Click on Financial Aid Status
• Select aid year
• Click on academic progress

If this is not your first appeal for a particular issue, the Committee needs to see progress with grades and completion rate, with the goal of completing your degree.

Question 1

This is your opportunity to explain to us why you did not make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).  Below are things to consider when completing this statement section:

• What caused me to struggle?
• How did the timing of the issue effect the semester that I struggled in school?
• Do I have documentation?  Such as:
  • Copy of obituary if you experienced the death of family member/loved one
  • Copy of medical records if you experienced physical or mental illness.  Note: timeframes should match
  • Proof of change in pay or expenses if you suffered financial hardship/difficulty
  • Statement of support by advisor/professors if you experienced academic struggles
  • Proof of an unresponsive professor

Question 2

This is your opportunity to share with us how you are working to overcome the struggles listed in Question 1.  Below are things to consider when completing this statement section:

• What has changed?
  • List facts instead of future plans
  • How did my medical situation/living situation/family situation improve?
• How do I get back on track (academic plan)?
  • Courses to be taken (or retaken), change in major, etc.
  • Documentation of meeting with my academic advisor.
  • Be specific!  Avoid generalities such as “study more” or “focus more.”