Satisfactory Academic Progress

Undergraduate students may receive federal aid for up to 180 cumulative credits attempted including transfer credits. State grant eligibility may vary (Pennsylvania allows up to 8 full-time semesters). Students who have attempted 180 credits with or without the benefit of financial assistance are no longer eligible to receive federal financial aid.

Graduate students may receive federal aid for up to 72 cumulative credits attempted.

All Incompletes, withdrawals, failures, and repeats are included as attempted credits when determining SAP for financial aid. Remedial courses successfully completed will count towards satisfactory academic progress. However, remedial courses do not count towards graduation.

Credits Attempted: Credits for which a grade of A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D, E, F, I, L, P, S, U, W, X, Y, Z has been received.

Successfully Completed Credits: Credits for which a grade of A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D, L, S, or P has been received. Grades of E, F, I, U, W, X, Y, Z and grades in repeated courses do not count as successfully completed credits.

Repeated classes will not count toward academic progress if the class was passed the first time the student was enrolled and received a passing grade. Only repeated classes that the student originally failed will be counted toward academic progress. Each time a class is repeated it will be included in the cumulative credits attempted.

If a student is deficient in credits and/or GPA at the end of the academic year, summer school classes may be used to eliminate the deficiency. No federal financial aid will be provided to help defray summer costs. Students may apply for an alternative/private loan or should discuss payment options for summer school with the staff in Enrollment Services.

If students opt to not enroll in our summer session's at ESU to help eliminate their deficiency, please note the following:

• Transient clearance must be obtained prior to taking courses elsewhere to ensure that these credits will be accepted at ESU.
• Courses taken elsewhere will not affect the GPA. If the student's deficiency is in GPA, taking courses at another institution will not make up that deficiency. The only exception is students who were approved to participate in the Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education Visiting Student program.
• In addition, credits received from Advanced Placement Exams, College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests or any other type of prior learning will not be used to satisfy a credit deficiency.

If you were previously registered at East Stroudsburg University, and have been away for three consecutive academic terms, we want you to complete the returning student form.

A period of non-enrollment does not reinstate financial aid eligibility. Students who are readmitted to ESU will have their financial aid progress reviewed and all previous coursework will be measured according to these procedures upon reentry. Satisfactory academic progress (SAP) appeal can be requested by contacting the Financial aid Office at fa@esu.edu or by contacting the office by phone at: (570) 422-2800 press option 1.

The submission of an appeal application does not guarantee the reinstatement of eligibility for federal aid. Students are strongly encouraged to make payment arrangements with the Student Billing Office while their appeals are being considered.

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. All Appeals are held in strict confidence between the student and the SAP committee.

Some examples of reasons for an appeal may include:

• The death of an immediate family member (parent, spouse, sibling, child).
• Serious illness (physical or mental, COVID-19 ) of the student that may have necessitated withdrawal from all classes in order to recover, or that may have contributed to the student doing poorly in his/her classes.
• Other documented unexpected circumstances beyond the student’s control.

Students granted an appeal will receive their federal aid for the appeal period granted only. The denial of an appeal does not prohibit students from enrolling at ESU, but students are responsible for their University balances. Students will not receive federal aid until satisfactory academic progress is met. Students are required to notify the Office of Financial Aid once they have met the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements.

When a student is deemed PHEAA eligible. ESU’s Office of Finical Aid determines if the student is making SAP. As a student you may be eligible to receive a max of 8 full-time semester grants. PHEAA state grant progress is reviewed at the time SAP is ran after grades are due for the spring semester.

Students must meet the following:

• Complete at least 12 new credits for a full time semester of PHEAA grant during an academic year.
• Complete at least 6 new credits for each part time semester of an academic year to receive the PHEEAA award.

If you need to appeal these requirements please visit PHEEAA to get more information.

• Private Alternative Loans: You may obtain a private alternative loan through your local bank. ESU has a list of lenders you can compare side by side via Elm to assist you in determining the best lender for your specific financial situation.
• Payment Plans: You may log onto your myESU portal under the Billing box to setup a payment plan. Note: Payment plans are not always available during the semester. Questions may be directed to the billing office at (570) 422-2800.