Satisfactory Academic Progress - Appeals

Students enrolled in credit programs can appeal their eligibility if they are suspended from receiving aid due to SAP violations. Students enrolled in vocational programs in TCAT cannot appeal their loss of eligibility.

Appeals will be added directly to students’ unsatisfied requirements in TigerWeb self-service.

  • Academic Appeal: this appeal can be submitted if a student has failed the GPA or Completion Rate standards but are still within the Maximum Timeframe standard. This appeal can be submitted without an advisor because students will only receive financial aid for classes that are required for their current program of study.
  • Graduation Appeal: this appeal can be submitted if a student has failed the Maximum Timeframe standard. Students must meet with an advisor to develop a graduation plan to submit with this appeal. If approved, students can only take the courses indicated by their advisor. Students will be given a deadline to graduate, after which point they will be suspended.

Appeals might require documentation to prove a justifiable reason for a lack of success. Documents including medical forms, obituaries, financial statements, court documents, or other evidence can be submitted with the SAP Appeal or emailed to FinAid@chattanoogastate.edu

Appeals Committee

The SAP Appeals Committee reviews all appeal requests in the order that they are received prior to the beginning of a semester. Late appeals are not guaranteed to be reviewed regardless of a student’s awareness of their current or pending suspension from financial aid. It is the responsibility of all students to understand that eligibility is contingent on the successful completion of courses. Students will not be granted an appeal based on their lack of awareness of SAP policies or their academic progress.

Appeal Timeline

Please refer to the schedule below for information about deadlines and appeal decisions. Only appeals submitted by the priority deadline of each semester are guaranteed to be considered by the Appeals Committee.

Appeals submitted after a priority deadline are not guaranteed to be considered prior to the following semester.

Semester

Priority Deadline

Fall

July 15

Spring

December 10

Summer

April 1

Students should anticipate a minimum of 4 to 6 weeks for the appeals committee to review the appeal and make a decision. Incomplete appeals (lack of supporting documentation, missing Academic Plan or Advisor signature) will delay the review process.

Notifications will be posted in TigerWeb once the review process is complete. Students pending an appeal decision at the beginning of a semester are responsible for securing their classes via payment to the Bursar’s Office. Class schedules will not be held due to a pending appeal decision.

Appeal Decisions

Students must monitor their Academic Progress on TigerWeb and Chattanooga State email account for updates about appeal decisions or documentation needed for incomplete appeals. SAP statuses are updated at the end of each semester once grades are finalized. Appeals will not be reviewed and decided during a semester.

Appeals are not guaranteed to be approved. Students must demonstrate an ability to succeed in their courses. Repeated withdrawals and failures for any reason can be denied. There is no secondary appeal process. Students who are denied can continue enrollment at their own expense and attempt to appeal in a future semester.

  • Appeal Conditions: Approved appeals will be subject to minimum GPA and completion rate standards, such as a minimum 2.5 GPA each semester or a minimum 75% completion rate each semester. Students who fail their appeal terms will be suspended again with no guarantee of approval or reconsideration.
     
  • Appeal Limits: Students who receive up to 3 appeal approvals and fail to graduate have no guarantee that any further appeals will be considered.
     
  • Cancellation: Chattanooga State reserves the right to deny or cancel a student's financial aid in the event of extraordinary circumstances that may not be covered in the current policy.
     
  • Right to Appeal Decision: Students who are denied appeals are entitled to a notification of ineligibility and an explanation of the appeal determination.
     
  • Maximum Timeframe Denials: Appeals for maximum timeframe are likely to be denied if students have attempted excessive hours or repeatedly demonstrated an inability to succeed, for any reason. Students with existing associate’s or bachelor’s degrees are less likely to receive an appeal approval.