Federal and NYS Appeals

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeals

SAP appeals are designed to address documented extraordinary circumstances beyond a student's control. Appeals are not granted for poor judgment, academic irresponsibility, or difficulty adjusting to college life. Once an appeal is granted, the student must make minimum academic progress moving forward.

Note: No SAP appeals are allowed for students who have reached the maximum timeframe for degree completion.

Types of Appeals

  1. Federal Appeals
    • Available for students who fail to meet SAP standards.
    • Appeals follow U.S. Department of Education guidelines and University policies.
  2. New York State (NYS) Appeals
    • TAP: One appeal allowed for Pursuit of Program in both undergraduate and graduate careers; GPA or academic progress appeals can be submitted multiple times.
    • Excelsior: Appeals available for breaks in attendance or failure to meet credit requirements, based on NYS guidelines and University policies.

Required Documentation

Third-party documentation is required for all appeals. Students must meet with a financial aid representative as part of the process, and appeals must be approved by an academic advisor before being reviewed by financial aid.

Steps to Appeal (Federal & NYS)

  1. Meet with a financial aid counselor to discuss circumstances.
  2. If eligible, obtain an appeal form.
  3. Collect supporting documentation and attach it to the appeal form.
  4. Meet with an academic advisor for planning and approval.
  5. Submit the appeal and documentation to Financial Aid.
  6. Decisions are made within 10 business days, with notifications sent via Binghamton University email.

Writing a Successful SAP Appeal

Explain the Key Elements for Your Appeal

  • What Happened: Clearly explain the circumstances that prevented you from maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).  Use specific dates and details as necessary/appropriate.
  • What Has Changed: Describe the steps you’ve taken or plan to take to address the issue and ensure future academic success.

Tips for Writing Your Appeal Statement

  • Acknowledge the Problem: Identify the specific issues, such as time management or personal challenges, and explain how you will address them.
  • Be Honest and Specific: General excuses like being unprepared for college coursework or not knowing withdrawal policies are not valid reasons.

Supporting Documentation
Attach relevant documents, such as:

  • Doctor’s notes or hospital bills
  • Funeral notices or obituaries
  • Statements from counselors or therapists

Valid Reasons for an SAP Appeal

  • Medical emergencies
  • Severe health or personal issues
  • Family problems
  • Financial or personal catastrophes

Sample SAP Appeal Statement

What Happened:
I was involved in a car accident on October 2, 2023. I was in the hospital for two weeks because of a broken leg. Then I needed to have physical therapy every day for six weeks. This interfered with my ability to attend classes on a regular basis. I was unable to complete the fall 2023 semester and this affected my academic progress.

What Has Changed:
My leg has healed and I feel confident that I am able to continue my coursework and improve my academic progress. I intend to register and repeat the coursework in the classes that I failed. I will also take the workshop offered thru the Writing Center. I will also use the assignment planner on the library website to help me stay on track.

Attached Documentation:

  • Doctor’s note indicating treatment and clearance to return to school on January 1, 2024.
  • Hospital bill showing dates of care.
  • Physical therapy schedule.

Appeal Outcomes

  • Federal Waivers: If approved, students are placed on “Probation” and federal aid is reinstated for one semester. Students must meet SAP standards in subsequent semesters to maintain eligibility.
  • State Waivers: If approved, HESC will process the TAP or Excelsior award, which may take 2-3 weeks to reflect on the student’s account. Continued eligibility depends on meeting award-based standards.

Important Notes

Appeals involving disclosures of sexual violence or harassment will be reported to the Title IX Coordinator for follow-up. For confidential support, contact the University Counseling Center.

Appeals are not automatically approved and can be denied for invalid reasons or insufficient documentation.