Undergraduate SAP Requirements for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is defined as the successful completion of coursework towards an eligible degree within a maximum period of time. State regulations require institutions to monitor the academic progress of all students receiving state financial aid.

Academic progress

The academic progress chart below illustrates the number of graduation credits and the minimum grade-point average students must meet to remain eligible for future TAP payments. Academic performance expectations are quite low at the beginning, allowing for a time of adjustment to college work, but after several semesters, the expectations more closely approximate the overall minimum of 2.0 GPA necessary to qualify for a degree at Binghamton University.

For example, note on the chart that students must complete 15 credits with a 1.8 GPA to be eligible for the third payment of TAP. Thus, a student who has accrued 14 or fewer credits is not eligible for the third payment of TAP. Likewise, a student with less than a 1.8 GPA is not eligible for a third payment of TAP. The student needs to reach the stated minimums to be eligible for the next payment. (See Appeals)  

The maximum amount of semesters at the undergraduate level that a student can receive payment is eight (8) semesters, except for approved five-year degree programs or in the the case of EOP students who can receive ten (10) semesters.

Transfer students may be granted beneficial placement. Beneficial placement is a determination of placement on the chart in accordance with either the number of payments a student has received or the number of credits earned, whichever is more beneficial to the student.  

Students receiving first TAP award payment in 2010-11 and thereafter

Undergraduate State Student Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Chart (SAP)
Before being certified for this payment 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th
A student must have accrued at least this many credits 0 6 15 27 39 51 66 81
With at least this grade point average   1.5 1.8 1.8 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0
A student must complete at least this many credits in the previous semester 0 6 6 9 9 12 12 12

Students admitted to the Educational Opportunity Program

Undergraduate State Student Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Chart (SAP)
Before being certified for this payment 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th
A student must have accrued at least this many credits 0 3 9 21 33 45 60 75 90 105
With at least this grade point average 0  1.5 1.8 1.8 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0
A student must complete at least this many credits in the previous semester 0 6 6 9 9 12 12 12 12 12

Pursuit of program

In addition to meeting the criteria outlined on the Academic Progress Chart, State Education Department regulations require students who receive TAP to complete a minimum number of credits toward the degree each semester as follows:

  • In each semester of the first year of TAP, students must complete a minimum of six credits of course-work with grades of A, B, C, D, F, Pass or Incomplete.
  • In each semester of the second year of TAP, students must complete a minimum of nine credits of coursework with grades of A, B, C, D, F, Pass or Incomplete.
  • In each semester of the third and fourth years of TAP, students must complete a minimum of 12 credits of coursework with grades of A, B, C, D, F, Pass or Incomplete.

“Incompletes” must be made up within one semester to have the credits counted.

Students who do not complete the minimum number of credits in a given semester are ineligible for TAP in the following term or until additional credits are completed to reach the minimum level.

Only courses that count toward a student’s degree may be used for meeting the pursuit of program requirement.

Other types of New York state student aid

There are several other types of New York state student aid, which include grants and scholarships administered by Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) and the New York State Education Department. View the eligibility requirements of each of these awards: