Financial Aid

Federal regulations require students to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in three areas- cumulative GPA, hours earned or completion rate, and maximum timeframe – to be eligible for financial aid. It is the student’s responsibility to stay informed of the University’s SAP standards and to monitor their progress, through our Banner system. A complete description of VSU SAP policy for financial aid purposes can be found on the VSU website at www.vsu.edu , click 1) Financial Aid, 2) General Information and 3)Satisfactory Academic Progress. Extenuating or Mitigating Circumstances;
An appeal can be submitted if a student’s failure to be in compliance with one or more areas of SAP is due to events beyond the student’s control. If such mitigating circumstances can be documented for the specific semester(s) when the deficiencies occurred, the student may submit this completed SAP Appeal, along with all required documentation. Submission of the appeal does not guarantee approval.
Students appealing to reinstate eligibility; you are granted one opportunity to appeal, (no repeat appeals), however re-evaluation for more than once is based on a case-by-case basis. Those students may not submit an appeal for the same previous reason

Supporting Documentation
To confirm your extenuating circumstance(s), you must attach documentation from an objective third party (Example: Physician, counselor, lawyer, social worker, teacher, religious leader, academic advisor, VSU Counseling Center). Documentation must be on official letterhead and verify that extenuating circumstances occurred during the timeframe referenced in your appeal. In cases of death of an immediate family member, provide a copy of the death certificate or obituary. Appeals without supporting documentation will not be reviewed.
Reinstatement of Aid
A financial aid Staff member will notify you of the decision by mail or via email to your official VSU email account. If your appeal is approved your financial aid is reinstated for the current semester. Eligibility is not retroactive to a prior term. If your appeal is denied you may choose to apply for an alternative loan. All decisions of the Financial Aid SAP Appeal Committee are final and not subject to further appeal.
Appeal Deadline
SAP appeal and supporting documentation must be received by the VSU Office of Student Financial Aid by June 20 for the fall semester and January 6 for the spring semester. Summer appeals must be submitted prior to the first day of classes. Appeals received after these dates will be considered for the following semester. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate an appeal before the specified deadline.