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About Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Boonshoft School of Medicine (BSOM) students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to remain eligible for federal student aid.
The Boonshoft School of Medicine evaluates each student annually at the end of Term II to determine compliance with SAP requirements. Information regarding class advancement is provided through watch meetings and the Student Promotions Committee.
Wright State University’s SAP Policy is used solely to determine federal student aid eligibility and does not reflect a student’s academic standing for continued enrollment in the MD program.
SAP Requirements
To maintain eligibility for federal student aid, a BSOM student must meet the following qualitative and quantitative standards.
Qualitative and Quantitative Measures
The Boonshoft School of Medicine does not utilize a traditional grade point average (GPA). Students must complete all required courses in the curriculum with a passing grade (“P”) to graduate. Accordingly, the qualitative component of SAP is evaluated based on the successful completion of each enrolled course.
Students must meet the following criteria:
- Complete 100% of the full-time curriculum attempted during each academic year with passing grades.
- A student granted one semester of financial aid probation must achieve a 100% pass rate for all enrolled courses during that probationary term or will be suspended from federal financial aid eligibility in the subsequent term.
- M3 students must successfully pass the USMLE Step 1 examination to maintain SAP.
If a course grade is incomplete, a withdrawal, or a repeat that prevents the student from remaining in good academic standing, the student is no longer meeting the standards for academic progress (SAP).
Maximum Timeframe (150% Rule)
The standard timeframe to complete the MD degree is four full-time academic years. Federal regulations require students to complete their program within 150% of the standard timeframe.
- BSOM students must complete the MD program within six full-time academic years to remain eligible for federal student aid.
Appeal Process
Students who fail to meet SAP requirements may submit an appeal if extenuating circumstances contributed to their academic difficulty. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Serious illness or injury
- Bereavement
- Other documented extraordinary circumstances
Appeal Requirements
An SAP appeal must include:
- A written statement explaining the circumstances that caused the student to fail to meet SAP requirements
- A written statement explaining what has changed and how the student plans to meet SAP requirements moving forward
Students who fail to meet the maximum timeframe requirement must also work with the Academic Support Team to determine an expected graduation term.
Appeals are reviewed by the Manager of BSOM Financial Aid or a BSOM designee.
If an appeal is approved:
- The student must work with the Academic Support Team to develop an academic plan designed to return the student to good academic standing.
- A student may remain on financial aid probation for more than one semester, provided they are adhering to the approved academic plan.
- Progress under the academic plan will be monitored each term by BSOM to ensure compliance.
Re-Establishing Eligibility
Students assigned a Financial Aid Unsatisfactory SAP status who are unable to successfully appeal may re-establish federal student aid eligibility by enrolling in and successfully completing coursework at their own expense until SAP standards are met.
Students who are ineligible for federal student aid may wish to explore alternative funding options, such as private or alternative educational loans.