The Montclair State University Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy measures whether students are progressing at a reasonable rate towards completion of their degree program. Federal regulations require all students enrolled in undergraduate, graduate or certificate programs to maintain certain academic requirements to remain eligible for financial aid.<\/p>\n
The University\u2019s Student Academic Standing<\/a> policy and suspension\/dismissal appeal process is completely separate from those governing Satisfactory Academic Progress. Therefore, a student whose suspension\/dismissal appeal is approved by the University\u2019s Scholastic Appeals Committee may still be determined ineligible for financial aid funding under SAP.<\/strong><\/p>\nView the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy<\/a><\/span>\nHow To View Your Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Status<\/a><\/span>\n You must meet all of the following to be in good SAP standing for financial aid:<\/p>\n Undergraduate students who have\u00a0attempted<\/em>\u00a0< 30 credits:<\/strong><\/p>\n Undergraduate students who have\u00a0attempted<\/em>\u00a030+ credits:<\/strong><\/p>\n The Financial Aid Office conducts an annual SAP review of student academic records after spring grades are posted. Academic eligibility for financial aid in the summer term and upcoming academic year are assessed at that time. Students who have not met SAP standards are notified via Montclair State student email and NEST<\/a> in June of each year. There is no ability to appeal for summer financial aid eligibility. However, appeal instructions for the approaching fall term are made available to impacted students on NEST annually.<\/p>\n Fall 2025\/Spring 2026 Appeal Submission Deadline: Friday, June 27, 2025<\/p>\n Spring 2026 only Appeal Submission Deadline: Thursday, January 22, 2026<\/p><\/blockquote>\n If you are not meeting SAP and are NOT taking classes in the fall, but will take classes in the spring, please contact our office once you have registered for the spring to have your SAP status evaluated.<\/strong><\/p>\n No exceptions will be made for late appeals. Financial Aid Appeals Committee decisions are final. Please check NEST<\/a><\/strong> for updates.<\/p>\n Students not passing one or more of the above SAP standards will be sent appeal instructions via Montclair State University email and NEST. Appeals will only be accepted electronically through NEST > StudentForms<\/a>. Appeals will NOT be accepted in person, by fax, postal mail or email otherwise.<\/strong><\/p>\n Students with successful appeal outcomes will receive the positive decision via Montclair State student email and NEST<\/a>. Students must then follow their Academic Plan and pass all of their courses in the academic year in question.<\/p>\n Students who are denied a SAP appeal decision may stay enrolled (providing that they are not academically suspended or dismissed), but must finance the academic year without federal, state, and\/or institutional aid. Other payment options include:<\/p>\n No. SAP is calculated using your academic record at Montclair State University and includes your cumulative academic record here as well as any transfer credits. The transfer credits count in pace and maximum time frame measures but do not factor into the GPA for SAP purposes. Your lifetime eligibility for financial aid follows you between institutions. This consists of the total amount of federal and state financial aid you received at all institutions, and the Financial Aid office uses this history to ensure you are only given financial aid within the maximum limits permitted for each aid program accordingly.<\/p>\n Still complete the SAP appeal for 2026-2027 when instructions are posted to NEST in late May. Take care of any other outstanding financial aid tasks, including filing the 2026-2027 FAFSA on studentaid.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div> Your financial aid record will be updated shortly. Good luck in your future endeavors!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div> Your financial aid record will be updated after Add\/Drop; you may continue to receive financial aid related notices until that time. It is advisable for you to file the 2026-2027 FAFSA at www.studentaid.gov<\/a>; check HESAA’s NJFAMS system<\/a> for all respective NJ state aid requirements) in case you return for the following academic year. If you do not take any classes for one full academic year (Fall\/Spring or Spring\/Fall), you will need to reapply to the University<\/a> by the appropriate Admissions deadline. Please continue to monitor your NEST and MSU email. We look forward to assisting you if and when you return.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div> Appeal and academic plan instructions will be posted to NEST\/StudentForms and sent to your Montclair State email inbox in late May. Monitor for updates.<\/p>\n Once you submit your appeal and academic plan, the committee will return decisions in August. Please monitor https:\/\/montclair.studentforms.com<\/a> for details and in case anything further is needed from you for a decision to be issued.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div> SAP standards for financial aid differ from the University’s policy on Academic standing. Our office must also ensure you are progressing in your degree by passing 67% (undergraduate) or 70% (graduate) of all attempted credits and that you are on track for graduating before reaching 180 attempted credits (undergraduate) or 150% of your published program length (graduate). You can check your Academic Progress under NEST > Financial Aid to see which categories you are not meeting at this time. File the SAP appeal by deadline, if applicable, to be reconsidered for financial aid.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>SAP Standing for Financial Aid<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n
\n
Graduate students<\/strong>:<\/h2>\n
\n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n
Readmitted\/Re-enrolled Students<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n
\nApproved Appeals<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n
Denied Appeals<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n
\n
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)<\/strong><\/h2>\n