The Office of Financial Aid is required by federal and state regulations to determine if students receiving financial aid are making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). To maintain eligibility for all forms of aid a student must meet specific standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress. This is to ensure that all students are making progress towards degree completion.
Federal State and Institutional Aid SAP Policy
All students receiving federal financial aid must meet the Qualitative Standard, Quantitative Standard and the Maximum Time Frame Standard to maintain eligibility for financial aid funds.
Federal, State and Institutional Aid SAP Standards
Undergraduate Students
Qualitative Standard (GPA) - Undergraduate students must maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA. Undergraduate students are expected to to have a 2.0 GPA by the end of their second year at DigiPen. Students who do not achieve this GPA will immediately be placed on Financial Aid termination.
Quantitative Standard (PACE) - Undergraduate students must successfully complete two-thirds (67%) of total credits hours attempted (known as PACE: Percent of Attempted Credits Earned).
- Example, a student who has attempted 45 credit hours must have successfully completed at least 30 credit hours: 30/45 = 0.667 or 67%. All attempted credits count toward PACE.
Maximum Time Frame - Undergraduate students may attempt no more than 150% of the maximum credits required to complete an academic program.
Graduate Students
Qualitative Standard (GPA) - Graduate students must maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
Quantitative Standard (PACE) - Graduate students must complete at least 67% of attempted credits or cumulative attempted credits.
Maximum Time Frame - Graduate students may attempt no more than 150% of the credits required to complete their program.