Appeal Process
If a student is denied financial aid for failure to meet any of the above standards for satisfactory academic progress, the student may request an appeal of the decision. Students are permitted to appeal their financial aid suspension; however, the right to appeal must be based on extraordinary, personal circumstances that contributed to student’s inability to meet the SAP requirements. If the initial appeal is approved, appeals for future semesters must be based on a different circumstance than the previous appeal.
If the appeal is approved, a student will receive financial aid on a probationary status and an academic plan may be required. At the end of the semester, the student will be evaluated according to the SAP Policy to determine if financial aid will be awarded for the next semester.
Students who wish to appeal must complete and submit a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form together with all required documents within 15 days of the notification that they have been placed on suspension.
SAP Appeal Deadlines
- Fall semester appeals must be received by October 1st
- Spring semester appeals must be received by February 1st
Appeals received after these dates will not be considered except in documented instances where the student was unable to obtain their supporting documentation prior to the deadline.
SAP Appeal Notification
The student will be notified to their UMW email regarding the results of the appeal.
If the Appeal is approved: Aid is continued for one term
The student should carefully review the SAP appeal notification which will outline the unique, individualized SAP requirements that the student must meet in order to maintain eligibility for federal and state financial aid. It is possible that the student will still lose their eligibility for UMW scholarships or grants depending on the requirements of those programs. The student is strongly encouraged to work with an Academic Student Success Counselor during the term to ensure compliance with their academic requirements or, if required, their academic plan.
If the Appeal is denied: Aid is immediately suspended until eligibility is re-established
The decision is final for the term of enrollment specified in the letter. A student may still be able to re-establish eligibility on their own, for future enrollment periods, by completing sufficient credit hours or by improving their cumulative GPA. The student may appeal no more than two terms at UMW. Requests for multiple appeals must be for different circumstances.
Plan for Academic Success
Students placed on Financial Aid Warning, Probation or Suspension are strongly encouraged to schedule an academic advisement appointment with the Office of Academic and Career Services or with their Faculty Advisor. Through advisement, students will work to create academic plans and become connected to campus resources that support academic success. Resources at UMW to help students succeed academically include:
- The Tutoring Center
- The Writing Center
- The Speaking Center
- Academic Success Workshops
- The Office of Disability Resources
- Talley Center for Counseling Services
Each of these resources are available to help identify learning issues, provide training for improving academic skills and developing academic plans that assist our students in regaining good academic standing.