Minimum Progress

UC San Diego's Academic Senate Regulation 516 - Minimum Progress requires that students must complete 36 units each academic year. This policy is meant to ensure students are making progress toward earning their degree.

The units are counted from Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer quarters. You will receive a message from your College in the Spring quarter via the Virtual Advising Center if you are not on track to complete minimum progress. If you did not meet minimum progress during the previous academic year, you will receive a message in the Fall quarter.

Exception: If a student is approved for part-time enrollment, is not enrolled during a quarter, or withdraws before the end of Week 4 of a quarter, they are not held to minimum progress and will not receive a notice even if they do not complete 36 units that year.

What happens if I'm not on track to earn 36 units this year?

You will receive a message from your College via the Virtual Advising Center in Week 4 of the Spring quarter, notifying you that you are at risk of not meeting minimum progress. They may suggest you enroll in Summer courses. Don't panic, and don't plan an excessive summer enrollment load to try to "make up" units. Talk with your College advisors about the best path for you.

I didn't meet Minimum Progress last year. Now what?

If you did not earn 36 units last year (Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer quarters combined), you will receive a message from your College via the Virtual Advising Center in Week 4 of the Fall quarter with resources and ideas of how to earn units and meet minimum progress this year.

You're not in trouble! Go talk with your College advisors - they would rather you have a solid and intentional plan than try to overload more units to try to make up for last year.

Why do I have a minimum progress hold?

If you did not meet minimum progress (earn 36 units combined in Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer quarters combined) for the past two years, you will receive a message from your College via the Virtual Advising Center in Week 4 of the Fall quarter and will be required to meet with your College advisors. There will be a hold on your account preventing future enrollment, in order to ensure you talk to an advisor. This isn't scary - they just want to help you make an intentional plan to make progress. Everyone's path is different, and advisors are here to help you create yours.

How does this impact my Financial Aid?

There is no official connection between Minimum Progress (an academic policy only at UC San Diego) and Satisfactory Academic Progress (a federal requirement for any students receiving financial aid). Oftentimes, students who do not meet minimum progress also did not meet SAP because both policies require students to pass courses and earn units. The Financial Aid and Scholarships Office manages all aspects of financial aid eligibility. They will notify you if you do not meet SAP. In order to receive financial aid in the future, you will need to submit an appeal and have it approved. Follow all instructions from Financial Aid.