Suffolk University Law School Student Handbook 2022-2023

SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS POLICY

Federal regulations require students demonstrate Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in their educational program in order to maintain eligibility for financial aid. SAP is established and reviewed by the Office of Student Financial Services and is evaluated independently from the Law School academic policies set forth in the Law School’s Rules and Regulations . Because there are two separate standards involved, it is possible for a student to be making satisfactory academic progress as determined under this policy, but fail to be in good academic standing. It is also possible for a student to be in good academic standing under the Law School’s Rules and Regulations, but not be making SAP as determined by Student Financial Services. Students who are dismissed from the Law School do not retain eligibility for financial assistance.

Standards for SAP

Students must meet the following standards to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress. These standards will be evaluated at the end of each academic term, including summer term, if applicable. Students will be notified if the SAP evaluation affects his or her financial aid eligibility.

Qualitative Standards

JD students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.500. LLM students receiving federal student aid must opt for the numerical grading system and are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.000. Transfer credits will not be factored into the GPA at Suffolk University Law School. In addition, JD, MSLL and LLM students earning two or more unsatisfactory grades (C- or below) in a given term will not be considered to be making SAP. Students enrolled in the SJD program who receive one or more “F” grade will not be considered to be making satisfactory academic progress.

Quantitative Standards

In addition to meeting the qualitative standards above, all law students must successfully complete at least 67% of cumulative attempted credits at the time of each SAP evaluation. The evaluation of completed credits is calculated by dividing the number of hours a student has earned by the cumulative number of hours the student has attempted. Grades of F, I, NC, W, WI, NG, U and X will be counted as attempted credits, but will not be considered as earned credits. All other grades will be counted as both attempted and earned. Transfer credits accepted towards a Law School degree will be treated as both credit hours attempted and credit hours earned. Students who withdraw or take a leave of absence from the Law School at any time after classes have begun will be subject to the SAP policy. Courses dropped during the add/drop period will not be evaluated under the SAP policy, unless a student drops all courses for the term.

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