The Overlooked Obstacle Part 2: Strengthening Satisfactory Academic Progress Policies to Better Support Student Success and Equity

Following the publication of The Overlooked Obstacle Part I, JBAY launched a year-long Community of Practice to better understand the variance and disparate impact of SAP policies on students from low-income and minoritized populations. The SAP Community of Practice began in December 2021 and included 19 California Community Colleges, two California State Universities, DePaul University, and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. This publication was created to provide additional context for the recommendations presented in The Overlooked Obstacle Part I based on the learnings from the Community of Practice and to provide postsecondary institutions with practical strategies to improve SAP and appeals policies while remaining in compliance with federal regulations. The report also includes key federal-and state-level policy recommendations identified through JBAY’s work with the participating colleges to remove unnecessary barriers that prevent minoritized students from remaining eligible for most state and federal financial aid and earning a postsecondary credential.