Undergraduate Financial Aid

Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (FASAP)

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Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (FASAP)

Answers to commonly-asked questions about FASAP.

The academic progress of all federal financial aid recipients must meet minimum standards set forth by the Federal Government in order for the student to receive federal financial aid. Minimum standards for Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (FASAP) apply to all recipients of federal and/or state assistance. Brown University ensures that all federal aid recipients are meeting FASAP each academic year following both the fall and spring semesters

Review the FASAP policy

The College's "academic standing" refers to the number of courses you are expected to complete each semester as you progress toward your degree starting with your first semester of enrollment at Brown. If you fall below academic progress requirements, you will be placed on “academic warning” or "serious warning” or potentially separated from the University for one or more semesters, depending on the extent of your credit shortfall.  Generally, you will remain eligible for financial aid if The Committee on Academic Standing (CAS) allows you to remain enrolled at Brown University.

Review the ACADEMIC STANDING POLICY

Frequently Asked Questions

Brown does not calculate GPAs for its students. The Committee on Academic Standing (CAS) does expect students to complete a minimum number of credits based on the number of semesters enrolled.

Based on the number of credits completed and the number of semesters enrolled, CAS places students in the following categories: Good Standing, Warning, Serious Warning or Suspended. CAS determines if a student is Refused Registration and gives permission for students to return to Brown after a leave of absence. For full details on the number of credits required to maintain satisfactory academic progress, review the FASAP Policy.

All financial aid offered at Brown is based on financial need; therefore, a student will not receive additional financial aid based on academic performance at Brown. However, all students receiving financial aid are expected to maintain satisfactory academic progress as determined by the Committee on Academic Standing (CAS).

Brown University ensures that all federal aid recipients are meeting FASAP each academic year following both the fall and spring semesters.

If the Committee on Academic Standing places a student on Serious Warning, they risk losing federal financial aid during the following academic year. Students placed on Serious Warning receive a warning notification from the Dean of the College. For specific details about the effects on financial aid, review the FASAP Policy.

If the Committee on Academic Standing documents mitigating circumstances, the Office of Financial Aid will review those circumstances and determine if financial aid may be reinstated. Brown cannot offer federal financial aid to a student who is not making satisfactory academic progress. An academic plan must be in place.

If a student meets all of Brown's renewal application and deadline requirements for the academic year, and the Dean of the College’s Office approves the term(s) as required to complete a degree and/or concentration, they will be considered for University Scholarship.

For students who have been approved by the Dean of the College’s Office for an Optional Ninth Term, there is no eligibility for University Scholarship.

For students who have been approved and been placed on one or more semesters of reduced workload, please refer to the Handbook of the Committee on Academic Standing's section on 'Students on Approved Reduced Course Load' and the associated chart.  You can find the link for the Handbook on the College's Academic Standing page.