Financial Aid
For information about financial aid at SAU, please refer to the SAU website at www.arbor.edu/financialaid.
Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
State and federal regulations require Spring Arbor University to establish specific standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for students to maintain eligibility for state and federal Title IV student financial assistance programs. The Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards are further explained under Academic Status in Registration Policies. The chart below specifies the SAP requirements for all current undergraduate students regardless of the catalog year under which a student may have matriculated to SAU.
| Attempted Credit Hours |
1-15 |
16-24 |
25-36 |
37-47 |
48+ |
| Minimum Required GPA |
1.6 |
1.7 |
1.8 |
1.9 |
2.0 |
Minimum Completion Ratio
(earned credits divided by attempted credits) |
50% |
67% |
67% |
67% |
67% |
Maximum Total Credits Allowed to Complete Degree
(150% of the program length) |
For associate’s degrees = 93
For bachelor’s degrees = 180 |
Attempted Credit Hours in SAP Calculations
All courses attempted at SAU and transfer credits that count toward a student’s degree are counted as credits attempted regardless of the grade assigned. Only courses with final grades issued and considered passing are counted as credits earned. All credits for repeated courses are counted as attempted credits and, if passed, as earned credits. Incomplete courses are counted as attempted credits but not as earned credits. Withdrawn courses with a grade of “W” are counted as attempted but are not calculated in the completion ratio or GPA. Withdrawn courses with a grade of “WF” calculate the same as a grade of “F.”
Veteran Benefits
Veteran benefits are coordinated through the Office of Registration and Records in cooperation with the Financial Aid office. All questions concerning benefit eligibility and payment should be directed to the VA at 1-888-442-4551. Veterans apply for veterans’ educational benefits online through the Veterans Benefits Administration (VA) online application (VONAPP) at www.gibill.va.gov. The student may call the VA if they have questions regarding the application at 1-888-442-4551.
A copy of the Certificate of Eligibility (COE) will be mailed to the student by the VA. The COE is required before the student can be certified for benefits by the certification officer in the Office of Registration and Records. Students receiving veteran benefits are subject to all academic policies of the University as outlined in this catalog and student handbooks. Students eligible to receive benefits from the Veterans Benefits Administration should verify records are correct before the beginning of each term of attendance. For students receiving benefits to remain in good standing, the following items should be noted:
- Benefits will not be paid for courses that are not graded A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, F, or P. In addition, a course cannot be audited and counted toward benefit hours. Any incomplete grade must be converted to a regular grade within six weeks.
- Courses for which the student registers must be applicable to program and degree requirements. Extra non-required courses taken beyond the 120 hours needed to graduate will not be certified for benefits. Up to 12 hours beyond 120 can be certified only if they are required, and if the student has not previously taken courses that did not apply toward the student’s program. The addition of an extra major or program requiring more than 120 total hours cannot be certified without the student securing approval for a change of program from the Veterans Administration.
- SAU policy dictates that a student accumulating more than 12 hours of failing grades (“F” or “WF”) will no longer be certified by SAU, and therefore, will be ineligible to receive any future Veterans benefits at SAU.
- The Office of Registration and Records maintains all veteran records, including degree requirements, courses taken and grades. Grades are posted to the student’s record at the end of each academic session. The University catalog lists all degree requirements. Each student’s progress is monitored by the Office of Registration and Records.
- Credit for previous training may be granted based upon academic evaluation of records.
- Academic Probation: If a student receiving veteran benefits falls below a 2.00 cumulative GPA in any semester, that student is placed on academic probation according to the Veterans Benefits Administration. The student is allowed two consecutive semesters on this status. If the student fails to raise the cumulative GPA to 2.00 or above at the close of the second semester, that student will no longer be entitled to veteran benefits.
- Spring Arbor University is a Christian university dedicated to fostering academic, social, and spiritual growth for students. While enrolled as active participants in the Spring Arbor University community, students are expected to govern their lives in harmony with its regulations, both on and off campus. The student handbook fully outlines standards of conduct, which reflect the ideals of the Spring Arbor University Concept. Because of connotations or associations that do not contribute to the Spring Arbor University Concept, using alcoholic beverages, illegal non-prescription drugs, or tobacco is prohibited.
Tuition, Fees and Expenses
Information about tuition, fees and expenses can be found on the University’s website at https://www.arbor.edu/admissions/financial-aid/costs/.
Terms of Payment and Payment Plans
Information about terms of payment and payment plans can be found on the University’s website at https://www.arbor.edu/about/offices-and-schools/student-financial-services/student-financial-services-faq/.
Tuition Refund Policies
Tuition refunds for properly authorized withdrawals shall be based upon the following refund schedule. Registration changes may result in additional charges based on the applied tuition refund schedule. Students should contact Student Financial Services to determine the financial ramifications before making registration changes.
| Calendar Days 1-7* |
100% refund |
| Through 25% of class |
75% refund |
| Through 50% of class |
50% refund |
| After 50% of class |
No refund |
*Classes with duration of less than 14 days will be refunded on a prorated basis.
Unpaid Student Accounts
Students who are delinquent in the settlement of any of their accounts with the University or who have not arranged an approved payment plan forfeit all University privileges including but not limited to enrollment, room and board, class attendance, access to the SAU Network and other SAU technology, etc. Students or alumni with financial holds are not permitted registration into future classes. Transcripts or partial transcripts may be withheld according to Federal regulations.
A monthly service charge will be added to any unpaid balance in the student account. Failure to meet financial obligations may result in the referral of the delinquent account for collection to an outside agency. If a withdrawing student is convinced the withdrawal is the result of circumstances warranting exceptions from published refund policies and does not believe the exception request made to the Office of Student Financial Services has been satisfactorily considered, a written appeal may be submitted to the registrar within 60 days of the withdrawal date. The registrar, along with registrar-selected representatives from informed student support areas on campus, if necessary, will consider the written appeal to determine if a change of withdrawal date is merited based on attendance records and engagement in educational activities. The registrar will communicate a decision to the student in writing within 30 days of the receipt of the written appeal. The decision of the registrar is final.
SAU Global Financial Information Tuition and Fees
Tuition and total costs vary by program and may be obtained on the SAU website. Payment for each semester is due seven days before the start date of the course. In order to waive payment on or before the start date of class, a student must complete one of the following:
- Student loan scheduled for the semester (see Financial Aid information)
- Set up a payment plan for the semester
- Submit a Third Party Assistance Information Form and provide a voucher or letter authorizing SAU to invoice the third party.
SAU Global Financial Aid Policies
Please refer to the Financial Aid section in this catalog.
SAU Global Tuition Refund Policies
Information about tuition refunds can be acquired through the Office of Student Financial Services.
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