UCLA Financial Aid and Scholarships establishes standards for satisfactory academic progress to measure students’ progress toward degree completion using both qualitative and quantitative methods in accordance with federal regulations. To be eligible for financial aid, students must meet or exceed these standards. Failure to maintain these standards may result in suspension of financial aid eligibility. The standards are as strict as, or more strict than, the UCLA standards for a student enrolled in the same educational program who is not receiving Title IV assistance. See the Satisfactory Academic Progress Guide (PDF).
Students attending the schools of Dentistry, Law, Management, Medicine, and UCLA Extension are covered by criteria established by the respective school.
Undergraduate students must maintain a cumulative 2.0 grade-point average (GPA); graduate students must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA.
Students must complete a minimum of 67 percent of cumulative coursework attempted.
Units attempted or total enrolled terms may not exceed 150 percent of the published length of the student’s program.
Students who change their academic major, or pursue a double major or minor, do not have additional financial aid eligibility beyond the maximum time frame established in this policy.
To successfully complete units, students must receive a grade of A, B, C, D, or P (S for graduate students) in each course. Grades of F, I, NP (U for graduate students), NR (No Report), and DR (Deferred Report) do not count as successful completion of coursework attempted.
The standards for satisfactory academic progress apply to all coursework attempted, including coursework for which students did not receive financial aid.
Cancellation of registration on or before the first day of classes does not count as units attempted.
English as a Second Language (ESL) and Summer Sessions coursework counts as units attempted, and toward the cumulative grade-point average.
Remedial coursework counts as units attempted, but does not count toward the cumulative grade-point average.
Repeated courses and grade-point average are treated in accordance with the academic policy as outlined in this Catalog. If the Registrar’s Office counts repeat coursework as attempted/completed, it counts equally for academic progress standards. Financial Aid and Scholarships determines if students are eligible for aid for repeat coursework.
Coursework accepted for transfer credit counts as both units attempted and completed, and has no affect on grade-point average unless the coursework is transferred from another UC campus.
Withdrawal after the first day of classes during a term counts as units attempted, unless students do not attend any classes for the given term and receive a 100 percent refund of all fees.
Academic progress is evaluated annually after winter quarter grades are available. For students on probation and students who are required to follow an academic plan, academic progress is evaluated each term.
Students who fail to meet the standards for satisfactory academic progress are placed on suspension and are no longer eligible to receive financial aid. Suspended students are notified through their MyUCLA account.
Students who have their financial aid suspended may submit a written appeal using the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal form. When filing an appeal, they must provide a full explanation along with documentation, verifying the circumstances that led to their inability to meet the standards for satisfactory academic progress. Before filing an appeal, students should seek assistance from an academic adviser to explore ways to eliminate deficiencies and to establish a realistic plan toward graduation. Refer to the appeal instruction packet for specific examples of valid reasons for an appeal.
Appeals must be submitted to Financial Aid and Scholarships prior to the last day of the term for which students are appealing to have aid reinstated. Retroactive appeals are not considered. Refer to the appeal instruction packet for priority deadlines.
If the appeal is denied, students may file a secondary appeal and submit additional information that may help explain the circumstances by which they were not able to maintain the standards for satisfactory academic progress. They are notified of the decision of the secondary appeal in writing and the decision is final.
Students who have an appeal approved are placed on probation and their academic progress is monitored on a quarterly basis to ensure that they meet the conditions of their academic plan.
Students whose aid eligibility has been suspended for failing to maintain the standards for satisfactory academic progress, or whose satisfactory academic progress appeal has been denied, may regain financial aid eligibility by becoming compliant with the qualitative and quantitative components of the academic progress standards. Students who exceed the maximum time frame cannot regain eligibility through the reinstatement process.
If students are required to submit an academic plan as a condition of their approved appeal, their financial aid cannot be disbursed until Financial Aid and Scholarships confirms that they are adhering to their academic plan. Students on an academic plan are evaluated each term. Their ability to adhere to the units and courses specified in their academic plan is closely monitored. Failure to adhere to their academic plan causes delays in students’ aid being disbursed, and may result in suspension of their financial aid eligibility.
