HomeAcademic Progress Standards
The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships (OFAS) adheres to San Diego State University's (SDSU) academic standards. SDSU is required to define and enforce academic progress standards for all financial aid applicants. These standards are to encourage you to complete your degree, credential, or certificate within a reasonable time frame.
These standards consider the quality of your performance and the pace at which you progress toward your degree objective. Understanding and complying with the university's academic progress and enrollment requirements will help in your quest toward a degree.
To determine if you are making satisfactory academic progress (SAP), we monitor your academic progress at the end of each semester and enforce SAP standards at the end of each academic year.
Maximum Units and Semesters
You may continue to receive financial aid until you reach the maximum units or full-time equivalent semesters (FTES) established for your degree, your credential, or certificate. (See how FTES are calculated).
All units you complete at SDSU and or transfer to SDSU are counted.
At the end of the spring semester of the academic year in which you reach either maximum units or maximum FTES, you will not be eligible for further aid for that degree or objective.
We will notify you with a message by e-mail and in your AidLink account.
Units Counted Towards the Maximum
- Units are counted even if you did not receive aid for those units at the time you were enrolled.
- Semesters of enrollment are counted whether or not you earned course credit.
Undergraduate students
Undergraduate students may receive funds only until one of the following has occurred—
- The first undergraduate degree has been earned
- 150 units are completed
- 12 semesters of full-time equivalent enrollment have been completed
Classified graduate / credential students
Classified graduate or credential students may receive funds only until one of the following has occurred—
- A degree or credential has been earned
- 50 units are completed
- 6 semesters of full-time equivalent enrollment have been completed
- 2 semesters of comprehensive examination 799C have been completed
- 4 semesters, in any combination, of thesis coursework 799A and 799B have been completed
- Enrollment in Thesis 799A/B does not count toward the maximum number of units and FTES. However, once enrolled in thesis coursework, your eligibility for aid is limited to four semesters, in any combination, of 799A and 799B.
Note: Maximum units and FTES are adjusted accordingly for graduate degrees requiring more than 50 units. Review a list of graduate degrees requiring more than 50 units and the maximum units and FTES for each.
Limited Eligibility for a Second Master's Degree
If you are pursing a second master's degree, you may be eligible for State University Grant and/or the Direct Loan Program.
- Eligibility is limited to 2 years (4 full-time equivalent semesters or 38 units).
- To be considered for aid in subsequent semesters, you must provide a copy of your Official Program of Study for the degree.
Joint Doctoral Students
Joint doctoral students may receive funds only until one of the following has occurred—
- A degree has been earned
- 100 units are completed
- 12 semesters of full-time equivalent enrollment have been completed
Note: Maximum units and FTES are adjusted accordingly for doctoral degrees requiring more than 100 units. Audiology doctoral students’ maximum units are adjusted automatically to 140 units.
Education Doctoral Students
Education doctoral students may receive funds only until one of the following has occurred—
- A degree has been earned
- 72 units are completed
- 7 semesters of full-time equivalent enrollment have been completed
Understanding Full-time Equivalent Semesters - FTES
When you enroll at SDSU a full-time equivalent semester (FTES) figure is assigned, whether you enter as a freshman, graduate, or transfer from another college.
If you have transfer units, your initial FTES are determined by dividing your total transfer units by 12 (9 for graduate units) and rounding down to the nearest .25%.
After we establish your initial FTES, the FTES assessed for any subsequent semester may be 1.00, .75, .50, or .25, depending on your enrollment status each semester at census (after add/drop).
Enrollment Status |
Undergraduate and Credential Students | Masters and Doctoral Students | Full-time Equivalent Semesters (FTES) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full time | 12 units or more | 9 units or more | 1.00 semester |
| 3/4 time | 9 to 11 units | 7 or 8 units | 0.75 semester |
| 1/2 time | 6 to 8 units | 5 or 6 units | 0.50 semester |
| Less than 1/2 time | 3 to 5 units AT SDSU | 3 or 4 units AT SDSU | 0.25 semester |
Extend Financial Aid or Reestablish Eligibility
You may request an extension or reestablish your eligibility for one or more semesters by submitting a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal form.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal
You may submit one appeal per degree program.
As part of the appeal process, you must prepare an academic plan. You must complete the Financial Aid SAP Academic Plan (page 4 of the appeal form) and submit it with your written appeal and supporting documentation. (Refer to the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal form for more information and instructions.)
If your maximum unit appeal is approved, you must meet the terms of your approved appeal to continue receiving financial aid. Depending on the documentation you provide, approval could be for one or more semesters. However, you may be eligible for aid only for the units and semesters required to complete your degree, credential, or certificate.
If you do not complete your degree, credential, or certificate within your documented and approved timeframe, you must then complete your degree objective without the benefit of financial aid.
