Skip to content | Change text size
PaymentsEnrolment Details and Fee StatementTypes of FeesSpecial CircumstancesAustralian Government scholarships for international studentsForeign Financial AidAbout Us
  

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Monash University is required by U.S. federal law (34CFR 668.16) to define and enforce standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to all students applying for or receiving U.S. Federal Aid (subsidized, unsubsidized and PLUS). This requirement has been established to encourage students to successfully complete academic programs for which aid is received. A student must maintain a minimum standard of progress towards completion of their chosen academic program by attaining a Pass grade average for each semester to retain eligibility for further aid.

Students are entitled to modify their enrolment within the first two weeks of each semester and retain eligibility for aid, provided they maintain a full-time enrolment whilst on-shore and do not drop below half-time whilst they are off-shore. This requirement is linked to Immigration regulations, as international students studying onshore must study in the full-time mode. Students receiving financial aid will be evaluated at the end of each semester; failure to maintain the required standards can result in suspension of financial aid.

The evaluation process will consider students’ progress with regard to academic standing and maximum timeframe.

Maximum Timeframe

An undergraduate student is entitled to receive aid for 150% of the allocated course time frame, i.e:

  • 3 year degree – eligibility for aid 4.5 years
  • 4 year degree – eligibility for aid 6 years
  • 5 year degree – eligibility for aid 7.5 years.

Students who have reached the maximum time allowed (based on 150% of the published duration of their course) will have their aid terminated in accordance with U.S. federal law.

Non-credit units will not be counted in assessing full-time hours. You are required to achieve a grade on any deferred or supplementary assessment within 6 months of completing a class.

You should be aware that, whilst federal eligibility may allow you to continue to apply for financial aid, individual academic progress rules and student visa restrictions may impact on your ability to continue within your program of study.

Notification

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) will be assessed for each student at the end of each academic semester, to determine your eligibility for continued awards of aid. You will be notified in writing if your financial aid is suspended. An appeal procedure for verifiable extenuating or unforeseen circumstances is available, if you believe that you meet those criteria (see Appeals below). Monash University cannot waive the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirement for any student to receive financial aid.

Financial Aid Probation and Suspension

The rules for Financial Aid Probation and/or Suspension are as follows:

  • Students who fail to achieve the required standards of academic progress will be placed on financial aid probation for six months, and will be advised in writing of this probation
  • Students who have been placed on probation and subsequently meet the required standard of academic progress in the next semester will be placed back into good financial aid (SAP) standing and will continue to receive aid subject to meeting the satisfactory academic progress requirements
  • Students who have been placed on probation and do not meet the requirements applicable to degree and level will be suspended and ineligible to receive aid until such time as they achieve the required standard of academic progress 
  • Students may appeal their suspension of aid, via written appeal to the Director, Student Administration, Student and Community Services Division (see Appeals below). Students who appeal will be informed of the Director’s decision, which is final.

Appeals

Students who have their eligibility for U.S. Federal Aid suspended may appeal the suspension if they can demonstrate one or more of the following exceptional circumstances:

  • Death of a family member (parent, spouse, sibling, dependant child, etc)
  • Extended illness of the student (extended illness is defined as a documented chronic or recurring medical or emotional illness that causes the student to be absent from class at least 15 days or more)
  • Extended illness of an immediate family member (parent, spouse, sibling, dependant) that places hardship on the student
  • Mitigating circumstances as determined by the Manager, Fees unit, Student Administration.

Students must indicate in writing the reason(s) for failure to meet the necessary financial aid SAP requirements and why their financial aid should not be suspended. All appeals must be received within ten days of receipt of the Notice of Suspension, and must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation (eg. medical certificate). Disbursements of funds will not be made while an appeal is being processed.

Students should submit an appeal to:
Director, Student Administration
Student and Community Services Division
P.O. Box 3C
Monash University
Vic 3800
Australia