Minimum Unit Completion

To maintain eligibility for financial aid at Cal State San Marcos, you must show satisfactory progress toward your degree. This is done by completing the units attempted each semester.

Attempted units = Enrolled units at the end of add/drop

Students who fail to complete the units attempted are subject to probationary requirements, or may be disqualified from aid altogether.
 

How did I get on Probation? In the fall: you completed less than 100% of the units attempted (up to 12). In the spring: you completed less than 100%, but at least 50% of the units attempted. Example: Registered 12 units end of add/drop and then withdrew from 1 class, completing 9 units.

How did I get disqualified? In the spring: you completed less than 50% of the units attempted. Or if you were on probation, you failed to complete the units attempted with a 2.0 or better GPA. Example: Enrolled in 12 units at the end of add/drop and took 3 incomplete grades.

Students will not be financial aid disqualified between fall and spring semesters*

What Happens

What does probation mean? You remain eligible for aid. You must complete all the units attempted the following semester (up to 12), or face disqualification, and You must complete the semester with a 2.0 or better GPA. If the above are met, you are off probation the next semester. If the above are not met in the spring, you will be disqualified for the following fall semester of attendance.

What does disqualification mean? You are not eligible to receive aid, including student loans, while SAP disqualified. You may appeal disqualification. If you do not appeal, or your appeal is denied, you can regain eligibility by: Completing all units you attempt at Cal State San Marcos (at least 6 and up to 12) with a 2.0 or better GPA without aid, or Do the same at another institution (but the units must be transferable to Cal State San Marcos).

*Exceptions to the above: students will be disqualified at the end of the fall semester and will be required to appeal for spring eligibility if: 1. You are disqualified at the end of spring and your appeal is approved with a requirement of mid-year review at the end of fall and you fail to meet the appeals committee's requirements. 2. You failed to complete any units both spring and fall. 3. You exceed unit maximums.

Undergraduate and Credential Students
Eligibility Limits

Financial aid eligibility for first degree undergraduates is limited to the first of:

Completion of the first degree
150 completed units
170 attempted units

Financial aid eligibility for credential* and second BA undergraduates is limited to completion of the degree or credential or 45 completed units, whichever is reached first.

Grade Point Average
Students must maintain a grade point average that is consistent with the University’s requirement for continued enrollment. Further details may be found in the “Academic Probation and Disqualification” section of the Cal State San Marcos catalog. Financial aid recipients who are academically disqualified and appeal that decision must also complete the financial aid appeal process noted below for continued financial aid eligibility.

Graduate Students
Eligibility Limits

Financial aid eligibility for graduate students is limited to the first of:

Completion of the degree
45 completed units
57 attempted units

Grade Point Average

Students must maintain a grade point average that is consistent with the University’s requirement for continued enrollment. Further details may be found in the “Academic Probation and Disqualification” section of the Cal State San Marcos catalog.

Financial aid recipients who are academically disqualified and appeal that decision must also complete the financial aid appeals process noted below for continued financial aid eligibility.

Appeals
Students who are determined to be ineligible for financial aid due to lack of satisfactory academic progress as noted above, and who believe that there are extenuating circumstances, may appeal in writing to the Financial Aid Appeals Committee. Further information on the appeal procedure may be obtained from the Cal State San Marcos Financial Aid and Scholarship Office.