You are allowed to hit 150% of the timeframe required to complete your program of study. If you take more than the required maximum amount of time to complete your program, you become ineligible to receive any additional financial aid. What does this look like in your real world when planning your Coppin education?

Subsidized Loans and Pell Grants

• Federal student aid regulations limit the maximum Subsidized Loan for new students to 150% of their program of students.
• Federal Pell Grant may only be received up to a maximum of 12 full-time semesters. Students exceeding 12 full-time semesters to complete their undergraduate degree will not be eligible for Federal Pell Grant funding (this includes dual degrees and change of majors).

As an Undergraduate student financial aid recipient, you must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher (at least a C average).

The Office of Financial Aid reviews your GPA at the end of each semester:

• If at the end of your first semester your GPA is less than 2.00, you will be notified and placed on Financial Aid Warning Status
• If at the end of your second semester or end of the academic year your GPA falls below a 2.00, you will be placed on financial aid suspension

As a Graduate student financial aid recipient, you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (at least a B).

The Office of Financial Aid reviews your GPA at the end of each semester:

• If at the end of your first semester, your GPA is less than 3.00, you will be notified and placed on Financial Aid Warning Status
• If at the end of your second semester or end of the academic year your GPA falls below a 3.00, you will be placed on financial aid suspension

What does this mean at the coursework level for both undergraduate and graduate students?

• Successful coursework completion: A, B, C, D, P
• Unsuccessful coursework completion: F, W, I, X, AU

67% is the number to remember when it comes to meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements.

Students receiving federal financial aid must complete at least 67% of all attempted coursework

Failure to complete at least 67% of your coursework, means that you will face the following penalties:

• If not by the end of the first semester, you’ll be placed on financial aid warning status
• If not by the end of the second semester, you’ll be placed on academic suspension

The number of credits you must complete each semester depends on your enrollment status. Enrollment status is determined by the number of credits you are attempting in the semester.

Undergraduate credit completion requirements

These credit requirements apply across fall, spring, and summer semesters.

Graduate student requirements

If you are a graduate student, your requirements are based on the 9 credit hour full-time enrollment measurement.

If you have transfer credits that apply toward your degree, including those from institutions outside the United States, they may be included in your completion rate calculation.

Students receiving federal financial aid must meet all 3 SAP requirements:

• Qualitative grade point average (GPA): Undergraduate students must maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA. Graduate students must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA
• Quantitative analysis: All financial aid recipients must complete at least 67% of all attempted coursework.
• Maximum timeframe: All financial aid recipients must complete their academic program within 150% of the maximum timeframe to complete

What are the different SAP statuses?

There are 3 different SAP statuses.

• Meet SAP: A student receiving federal financial aid is in good standing and meets all 3 minimum GPA, coursework, and timeline requirements.
• Suspension: A student receiving federal financial aid has fallen below minimum GPA requirements and/or has met or exceeded the maximum 150% time frame to complete their academic program. Students on SAP suspension are not eligible for federal financial aid.
• Probation: A student receiving federal financial aid who has submitted an appeal application which has been approved is placed on a one-term probation. Students who meet all SAP requirements while in probation return to good standing. Students who don’t meet all SAP requirements while on probation are no longer eligible for federal financial aid or to re-appeal, and are placed back on suspension.

How am I notified about changes in my SAP status?

OFA notifies all students placed on financial aid warning and suspension via the EagleLINKS student portal.

What every student should know about the SAP appeals process

What should I include in my SAP appeal?

You may submit an appeal when placed on suspension by completing a Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal. Please note, submitting an appeal does not guarantee approval. Your appeal must include:

1. SAP appeal form
2. Typed personal statement detailing why you failed to meet SAP, and how you will meet SAP the next semester
3. Additional documentation that supports your personal statement
4. Academic and success strategies plan outlining the coursework and any academic services you will use to ensure academic success

How do I appeal my SAP status?

Reach out to your Academic Outreach Coordinator to complete the SAP Process:

To make an appointment, please click here!

Please note: SAP status is separate from academic dismissal or suspension.

What’s next if my appeal is approved?

You will be on a one-term financial aid probation, and allowed one semester/enrollment period of federal financial aid to improve your status to meet SAP. Students cannot receive incompletes, fail, or withdraw while on one-term probation.

Students who don’t meet all SAP requirements while on probation are no longer eligible for federal financial aid or to re-appeal, and are placed back on suspension.

What’s next if my appeal is denied?

You are no longer eligible for federal financial aid at Coppin. You can regain eligibility at your own expense by:

• Completing 67% of total coursework
• Achieving the minimum cumulative undergraduate 2.0 GPA or cumulative graduate 3.0 GPA requirements

After meeting these SAP requirements at your own expense, you must complete a new appeal application if you want to be reconsidered for federal financial aid.

However, you cannot regain eligibility if you were denied an appeal for a maximum timeline extension. Also, eligibility cannot be established for being out of school for an extended time or paying for courses with your own funds.

Get Started on Your Financial Aid Process

Applying for federal financial aid begins with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Coppin uses the FAFSA to determine which students get federal financial aid, and how much they receive. Remember, completing the FAFSA is the first step for any student to be considered for federal financial aid, including grants, loans, work study and some scholarships.

The FAFSA school code for Coppin State University is 002068.

Start Your FAFSA

What every student and family needs to know to complete your FAFSA:

Student and families often complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. 

Step 1. Get your Federal Student Aid (FSA) User ID

Your FSA User ID is a username and password that acts as your login information and legal signature for federal financial aid applications, and online forms, like the FAFSA. Parents must create an FSA User ID if completing a FAFSA for a dependent. Any student applying for federal financial aid in their own name must have an FSA User ID. Create or look up your FSA User ID online through the Office of Federal Student Aid.

The FAFSA school code for Coppin State University is 002068.

Step 2. Collect all documentation required to complete the FAFSA

Remember, the documentation you need for your FAFSA is based on your dependency status. If you are a dependent, you must submit the required income documentation for your parents or legal guardians. If you are married, you’ll also need to submit your spouse’s income information in addition to your own.

Prepare to have these documents ready when completing your FAFSA:

• Social Security number (for you and your parents, depending on dependency status)
• Driver’s license number
• Alien registration or permanent resident card (if not a U.S. citizen)
• W2 forms (if you earned income, and did not file taxes)
• Federal Tax Transcript or Tax Return for the year you’re applying for aid. We encourage you to use the IRS Data Retrieval tool to automatically transfer your Federal Tax Return into your FAFSA.

Note: Some accepted tax forms include the IRS 1040, 1040A, 1040 EZ, or Tax Return for Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or Palau.

Step 3: Complete, sign, and submit your FAFSA

The FAFSA is free to complete and never requires you to pay. Enter your FSA User ID to electronically sign your FAFSA before you submit.

What happens after I complete the FAFSA?

1. After submitting your FAFSA, you receive your Student Aid Report (SAR). This report comes via the email you put on your FAFSA or through the mail. Your SAR shows your eligibility for Pell and Subsidized federal loans. It may also say you’ve been selected to confirm your FAFSA information through Verification.
2. Coppin receives your SAR electronically via an Institutional Student Information Report (ISIR) after it processes.
3. Your SAR report might indicate you’ve been selected to verify your FAFSA information. If this happens, Coppin’s Office of Financial Aid (OFA) notifies you about next steps, which may include you (and/or your parents) submitting Federal Tax Transcripts, Verification Worksheets, or any other documentation needed to finish your financial aid process. Learn what your next steps are when selected for Verification.
4. Coppin’s OFA determines your eligibility for financial aid and notifies you once your file is complete.

How Coppin Awards Financial Aid

The Office of Financial Aid (OFA) awards federal financial aid based on each student's completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application, student need, and availability of federal funds. For the best possible financial aid package, we strongly encourage you to complete and file your FAFSA as early as you can. To ensure every applicant has access to federal funding, we follow the same process for every financial aid applicant.

Coppin's school code is 002068.

Step 1: Review Your Completed Financial Aid File

We start by reviewing a student’s financial aid file. Each completed file has:

• Electronic FAFSA information
• Verification package, if the student was selected
• Admission confirmation for a degree or certificate-seeking program
• Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) status (for returning students only)

Step 2: Calculate Your Cost of Attendance

We estimate the cost of a student’s education expenses for one academic year. This estimate considers:

• Tuition and related fees
• Room and board
• Textbooks and materials
• Travel
• Personal expenses

Step 3: Determine Your Financial Need

Once we understand your level of need, we create a financial aid package to meet federal, state, and university guidelines. We base financial aid awards assuming you will enroll full-time, and your awards may need to be adjusted if you decide on anything less than full-time enrollment. Financial aid packages often consist of Title IV aid, as well as outside aid, and cannot exceed the total cost of attendance.

Determining a student’s level of financial need starts with the information you (and your parents, if applicable) put on your FAFSA. Using that information, a FAFSA processor calculates your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC). Your EFC gets calculated from a formula established by Congress and the information on your completed FAFSA. We receive your EFC, and then subtract it from your cost of attendance. The money left over is your determined financial need.

Step 4: Notify You of Your Award Decision

• New Students: Award notifications will be mailed to each student. Accept your financial aid award through your EagleLinks account.
• Returning Students: You will receive you award notification via your Coppin email account. Accept your financial aid award through your EagleLinks account. 

How do outside awards affect my federal financial aid?

Many students have both federal financial aid and outside funds, like private scholarships or grants. Financial assistance can be awarded based on need or other criteria, including academic excellence. We must follow federal regulations to make sure your financial aid package does not have more funds than the cost to attend Coppin.

If you do anticipate or receive financial aid in the form of outside funding, let the Office of Financial Aid know immediately.

How We Confirm Your FAFSA Information

So, your FAFSA has been selected for verification. That's okay—many students across the country get selected for verification. We're here to help you understand the process, so our Office of Financial Aid (OFA) can successfully verify your FAFSA. Verification is a required process of the U.S. Department of Education, and it happens every year. Financial aid applicants who get selected must have their financial information verified by the Office of Financial Aid. These students and families must submit additional documentation to complete their financial aid application.

Be sure to complete verification if selected, because not doing so may delay or cancel your federal financial aid.

Required Documentation

Verification is a normal part of the financial aid process. When you've been selected, you must submit additional documentation. The OFA uses this documentation to verify your and your family's information on your completed FAFSA. Here’s the documentation you'll need to submit:

1. Completed verification worksheet
2. Student’s complete federal income tax return, including all schedules and W2 forms.
3. Parents’ complete federal income tax return (if you’re a dependent)
4. Spouse’s completed federal income tax return (if you’re married)
5. Verification of non-taxed income

How do I complete verification?

We’ve made it easy! Coppin has partnered with KHEAA Verify to provide an online verification process for students and parents.

Find Your Financial Aid Fit

There are different types of financial aid. Some financial aid options are loans that students must pay back, while other forms of financial aid, like scholarships, are financial awards that students don't have to pay back. Many Coppin students have a combination of loans, grants, scholarships, and other funding to pay for their college education. Check out some of the available options to help make your Coppin education a reality.

Federal Work-Study Program (FWS)

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a need-based financial aid program that provides undergraduate and graduate students part-time employment opportunities to help pay for school. FWS jobs are regular paid positions and students receive bi-monthly paychecks. FWS earnings are taxable, but are excluded in the need calculation on the FAFSA.

To become eligible for an FWS or SEP award, students must:

• Complete the FAFSA
• Be eligible to receive federal financial aid
• Stay enrolled in 6 or more credit hours

To maintain FWS eligibility, students must:

• Complete all personnel paperwork (e.g., I-9, W-4, Form 52, etc) before starting employment
• Work no more than 20 hours per week during fall and spring semesters
• Stay enrolled in 6 or more credit hours in a degree-seeking program during FWS or Student Employment Program (SEP) opportunities
• Submit accurate timesheets on time
• Not exceed the FWS or SEP award

Alternative and Private Loans

Alternative or private loans can be an option if you aren’t eligible for federal financial aid, or may need more funds than you qualify for. Through our partnership with FastChoice, you can now search for private lenders and loans that meet your needs.

Scholarships and Scholars Programs

Our Coppin Financial Aid Office provides a wealth of information on different scholarship programs. We encourage students to check the website often as new scholarships are added regularly. See our complete list of scholarship opportunities.

Financial Aid Basics

When it comes to paying for school, you have options—and we are here to help you understand what those options are. How can you make your Coppin education possible? Get answers below.

What is financial aid?

It’s money in the form of loans, grants, work study, or scholarships that you can use to pay for school. Students often use a combination of different types of financial aid to cover full school costs.

Some types of financial aid can come from private sponsors and scholarships. It can also come from the U.S. Department of Education (i.e. federal financial aid) in the form of loans, grants, or Federal Work-Study (FWS). Students, parents, or legal guardians must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be eligible for federal financial aid. Schools use the FAFSA to award federal financial aid on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s a good idea to file as early as you can.

The Coppin State University school code for the FAFSA is 002068.

Who is eligible for financial aid?

Students and their parents or legal guardians may both be eligible for financial aid. Each type of student aid may have specific requirements for who is eligible. Some types of aid, like loans and grants, are based on a student’s financial need. Other types, like scholarships, may be based on specific criteria around grades, or community service. The federal government determines who gets federal financial aid through the information you provide on the FAFSA. Be sure to read all the eligibility information to see what you qualify for.

Who has access to a student’s financial aid information?

Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a student’s financial information is confidential and only available to the student. However, a student may give permission to other people, including family members, to discuss financial aid information. This permission must be signed in-person at the Office of Financial Aid (OFA) or students can also send a signed, notarized statement to the OFA.

Do students need parents’ information on the FAFSA?

A student's dependency status determines whether you must include your parents' information on your FAFSA.  Learn more about your FAFSA dependency status so you can be prepared with the documentation you need. There are 2 difference dependency statuses: 

• Dependent students must report their own and their parents' information.
• Independent students must report their own, and if married, their spouse's information.