Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

This policy has been developed in accordance with federal regulations and University of Hawaiʻi - West Oʻahu policies governing the administering of financial aid programs to ensure that recipients are making satisfactory academic progress toward their educational objectives. These regulations apply to all students applying for and receiving federal and state financial aid. A student’s total postsecondary history is considered in the determination of satisfactory academic progress.

To be eligible for federal and state aid programs, you must meet all three Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards regardless of whether or not you had previously received financial aid.

Maintenance of a minimum cumulative overall and current/semester grade point average of a 2.00 or better.
Students must complete and pass at least 75% of all credit hours attempted at UH West Oʻahu including any approved concurrent enrollment at another UH campus. Grades of F, W, I, NC and repeated courses count as hours attempted. Measurement of each student’s completion rate will occur at the end of each semester.
Students who have attempted 150 or more credit hours (inclusive of transfer credits) will be considered ineligible for financial aid. *Note: We will fund a student to a maximum of 180 credits, but require that the student take action to insure that they are matriculating at an adequate pace to determine that they will have enough funding to see them through the completion of their degree program prior to being awarded aid.
* Students seeking a 2nd Bachelors degree at UHWO are not subject to the SAP Appeal process. However, you will be required to meet with an Academic Advisor prior to being awarded aid to determine the remaining coursework required to complete your second degree & provide a memo to our office from the advisor indicating these requirements.

Academic progress will be reviewed prior to the initial awarding of financial aid and at the conclusion of each semester. Students failing to satisfactorily meet the academic progress requirements will be considered ineligible to receive financial aid until such time the student is able to meet all financial aid academic progress requirements or financial aid eligibility had been extended based on the approval of an appeal.

During the period of financial aid ineligibility, students may (unless placed on Academic Suspension or Dismissal) attend UH West Oʻahu without financial aid. However, the student will need to secure other financial resources (e.g. pay out of pocket) to cover their educational costs during this period.

Satisfactory Academic Appeal Process: A student who is deemed ineligible may appeal the denial of financial aid. The appeal process is an option and it is the student’s responsibility to submit an appeal should they choose to exercise this option. The appeal must be made by submitting a signed Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form along with any applicable supporting documentation and their USAFunds Life Challenges transcript to the Financial Aid Office, no later than one month after the start of the semester for which you wish to receive aid. Submission of the appeal form is not a guarantee of an approval and/or reinstatement of financial aid eligibility. The appeal will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and all decisions are final. Appeals should be submitted based on extenuating circumstances such as illness or injury, family difficulties or unforeseen, extenuating circumstances. If the appeal is approved, financial aid eligibility will be extended for a probationary period. The student will be advised of the action on the appeal via letter and/or through their MyUH.

It is the student’s responsibility to monitor their academic progress and be aware that less than satisfactory academic performance will result in financial aid ineligibility and may also result in your meeting aggregate maximums for certain financial aid funds prior to the completion of your degree requirements.

Questions regarding this policy or the decision on an appeal must be directed to the Financial Aid Office.