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UMass Boston
Campus Center, 4th Floor
100 Morrissey Blvd.
Boston, MA 02125
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal Instructions
Students must have documented extenuating personal or medical circumstances in order to appeal their SAP status. Appeal decisions are final, and you will be reviewed at the end of every term until you meet SAP standards. All documentation submitted is confidential. Deadlines to submit an appeal are listed below. Please note that students must complete a FAFSA in order to submit an SAP Appeal in WISER.
Deadlines
The deadlines to submit the SAP appeal are:
Fall Semester - October 1
Spring Semester - April 1
Summer Semester - July 1
Appeals will not be accepted after these deadlines. Students who have experienced an extenuating circumstance are encouraged to submit their appeal as soon as possible.
Personal Statement & Documentation
You must have documented extenuating personal or medical circumstances in order to appeal your SAP status. See below for examples of extenuating circumstances and required documentation. All documentation submitted is confidential.
The outcome of your appeal will depend on the described circumstances, the quality of the documentation you provide, and how well you have addressed your ability to progress towards degree completion within a reasonable time frame.
You must write a personal statement/appeal letter that addresses the following:
- The reasons/circumstances why you are not meeting SAP standards. Be as specific as possible. Explain all F’s, Withdrawals, and Incompletes (provide a copy of your incomplete contract as part of your supporting documentation).
- How have your circumstances changed that will allow you to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards. Outline the specific steps you are taking to get back on track.
- Attach supporting documentation, if applicable
- Submit your personal statement and supporting documentation online by clicking on the SAP Appeal requirement in your WISER to-do list.
Reason/Circumstances | Examples of Supporting Documentation |
---|---|
Student's own mental or physical illness, injury, or disability |
Letter from healthcare provider Dates of hospital stays Discharge paperwork |
Death of a family member or significant person in your life (list your relationship to the deceased) |
Death certificate Obituary Memorial/funeral service pamphlet |
Divorce/Separation of parents or student |
Divorce decree Separation paperwork Letter from attorney Any other official court documents |
Family financial hardships | Letter from employer |
Serious illness or injury of a family member | Letter from family member's healthcare provider or social worker stating the need for student to be a caregiver |
Legal obligations/circumstances |
Copy of police reports Copy of court documents |
Victim of assault or domestic violence |
Copy of police reports Copy of restraining order(s) Letter from a social worker or other professional familiar with the case |
Other personal circumstances | Provide supporting documentation |
Academic Plan
Check your WISER to-do list to see if you need to complete an academic plan. If this requirement is listed, you (the student) must initiate the academic plan. You must make a SAP appointment with your professional academic advisor to complete this plan. You may not complete this plan with a faculty advisor.
The academic plan is a contract between you (the student) and the University of Massachusetts Boston. You are required to follow this contract in order to be considered for federal, state, and institutional financial aid at UMass Boston. A revised academic plan is required for any course changes agreed upon by you and your academic advisor.
You are considered to be meeting the terms of the academic plan if you:
- Adhere to the maximum number of credits
- You are enrolled in the courses listed on the plan
Student Instructions on completing the academic plan
- Enter your name and email address.
- Enter your advisor's name and email address
- Complete your section of the academic plan, follow the prompts through DocuSign. You will not be able to enter any information in the advisor section.
- E-sign your plan.
- Click “Finish”.
- Once your advisor has completed their section, you will receive an email with a copy of the completed plan. Upload your academic plan online by clicking on the SAP Appeal requirement in your WISER to-do list.
Advisor Instructions on completing the academic plan
- You will receive an email with a DocuSign request.
- Follow the prompts to complete the advisor section, including max number of credits, and courses the students will take.
- E-sign the plan.
- Click “Finish”.
Student Instructions for updating an academic plan
- You (the student) will fill out the student information section on the SAP Academic Plan Revision Form.
- Enter your name and email address.
- Enter your advisor’s name and email address.
- Follow the prompts to e-sign the form.
- Click “Finish”.
- Email your Financial Aid Counselor to unlock your appeal and upload your revised academic plan.
Advisor Instructions for updating an academic plan
- You will receive an email with a DocuSign request.
- Follow the prompts to enter the max number of credits.
- If you approve of the student’s changes, e-sign the form.
- Click “Finish”.
- Financial Aid Services will receive an automatic email with a copy of the revised academic plan. No further action is needed.
Schedule SAP Advising at the Links Below:
Student Success Scholars Program |
Student Success Scholars Program, CC-1-1100 |
College of Liberal Arts (CLA) Declared Majors CLA First! Students |
CLA First! W-4-125, 617-287-5721 |
College of Science & Math (CSM) Declared Majors |
CSM Student Success Center, W-4-151 |
College of Management (CM) majors with 60 or more credits or who have joined LEAD, TRAIL, or 3YD |
CM Undergrad Program Office, M-5-610 |
School for the Environment (SFE) Majors |
School for the Environment, M-02-620 |
College of Education & Human Development (CEHD) Majors |
CEHD Student Success Office, W-1-50 |
College of Nursing & Health Sciences (CNHS) Majors |
CNHS Advising, Quinn-02-0093 |
Undeclared Majors College of Management Majors with less than 60 credits Inter-College Transfers |
Academic & Career Engagement and Success Center (ACES), CC-1-1100 |
UMass Boston
Campus Center, 4th Floor
100 Morrissey Blvd.
Boston, MA 02125