How does my enrollment affect financial aid?
Admission to an Eligible Program
You need to be admitted to an eligible degree or certificate program to receive financial aid. All Associate Degree programs are eligible and certificate programs that are 24 credits or greater in length are eligible. The certificate programs that require less than 24 credits are not eligible for aid. If you have not applied for admissions, complete the BCC admissions application process as soon as possible. Don’t wait to be admitted before completing your financial aid forms. It is best to apply for admission and financial aid at about the same time.
Conditional Admission
Conditional admission means that you have been admitted to a program, but additional information is needed by the Admissions Office (usually an updated high school transcript). You may still receive a financial aid award offer, however financial aid cannot clear your bill and you will not be eligible for a book voucher or financial aid payment until the “conditional admit” status is resolved.
Full-Time or Part-Time Enrollment
One of the biggest myths of financial aid is that only full time students are eligible. Many part time students qualify for financial aid. Some even qualify when they're only enrolled in one course. The golden rule of financial aid is "You must apply." It's free and our office will be glad to help you through the process. Once we have your information, we will do all we can to identify resources to help you meet your costs.
Enrolling in Two Schools
If you enroll in more than one school during the same semester, you will need to take extra steps for financial aid consideration. Federal and state regulations do not allow you to receive financial aid from two schools at the same time. Contact the Financial Aid Office of the home school for a Consortium Agreement. When the Consortium Agreement is approved by both schools, the home school may consider your enrollment at the second school and may include financial assistance for that enrollment. You will be billed by both schools. The financial aid offered at the home school will pay charges at the home school only. You will need to make your own payment arrangements for the tuition and fee charges at the second school.
Withdrawal from a Class
Federal guidelines require that students receiving financial aid must successfully complete 75% of the courses they attempt. This means that withdrawals, failures or incomplete classes may jeopardize your eligibility. It's wise to assess the demands in your life (family, work, etc.) and enroll in only as many courses as you're sure you can successfully complete. Finish what you start and you can be sure that your financial aid will remain available for you. If you fall below a 75% completion rate, you may lose your financial assistance. Appeals are heard at the beginning of each semester by the Financial Aid Appeals Committee.
Withdrawing or Dropping Out Means Paying Back Financial Aid
As if there weren't enough reasons to stay in school, financial aid recipients have one more. Recipients who drop all their classes are required to pay back a portion of the financial aid funds.
If a financial aid recipient withdraws completely from BCC, the financial aid will be prorated based on the percentage of the semester the student completes.
- For example, a student who attends up to the 30% point of the semester is eligible for only 30% of the financial aid award.
- Financial aid award funds used to pay off charges may be reduced or cancelled leaving the student with unpaid charges.
- A student who has received a financial aid check and then totally withdraws from BCC may be required to return all or part of that check.
Also, a financial aid recipient who does not pass at least one course for the semester may be required to return all or part of the financial aid funds received.
- For example, a student who receives an F grade, a W grade, and an Incomplete grade may need to return some financial aid funds (student did not successfully complete any classes).
- A student who receives a W grade and a C grade will not need to return financial aid funds (student received at least one passing grade; A, B, C, D, S are passing grades).
Please review our Withdrawal Flyer for further information about the BCC and financial aid refund policies. If there are circumstances preventing a student from completing the semester, the student needs to officially withdraw from BCC. The student should contact the Counseling Center.
Grades Affect Your Eligibility
In order to be considered for financial aid, federal regulations require that you make satisfactory academic progress. Federal Guidelines and the College's Minimum Satisfactory Completion Rate Policy specify that students must complete their degree requirements in no more than 150% of their scheduled completion time. This means that you must complete 75% of the courses for which you register each semester.
Satisfactory Academic Progress, Probation, and Dismissal
Students enrolled in the College are classified in one of three categories of academic standing: satisfactory academic progress, probation, or dismissal.
All matriculated students attending the College are expected to make satisfactory academic progress toward a degree. Students who do not maintain an acceptable cumulative Satisfactory Progress Index (SPI) will either be placed on academic probation or be academically dismissed. Students who do not maintain satisfactory progress cannot hold or run for elected or appointed positions in any school activity.
The SPI is a measure of a student's academic progress toward a degree. The SPI is calculated in the same manner as the Grade Point Average (GPA), except that courses with grades of "I", "U", and "W" are included. No grade points are earned for these courses, but they are counted in total credits attempted. The semester's SPI, therefore, is calculated by adding the grade points earned in all courses that semester, and then dividing by the total credits attempted in those courses, including courses for which the student received grades of "I", "U", and "W".
Students are required to maintain a 2.0 GPA by the end of the second academic year (measured by a period of time, not by the student's grade level) to receive financial assistance.
A student who is determined to be making unsatisfactory progress may appeal the decision based on extraordinary circumstances. Appeals will be heard in January and June by the Academic Standings Committee.
In order for a student to maintain good standing, a student would have to receive a SPI of 1.2 after 15 credits, 1.5 after 30 credits, 1.8 after 45 credits, and 2.0 for 46 or more credits.