BC3 Financial Aid - Progress Policy
In order to receive, or continue to receive, federal financial aid, all students must meet the following requirements. The federal financial aid programs include Pell Grants, SEOG Grants, Stafford Loans, Federal Work-Study, and ACG Grants.
This policy differs from the College's academic policy and the PHEAA State Grant policy
What is Financial Aid Progress?
In order to continue to receive federal financial aid, you must be "progressing" towards a degree. The Department of Education requires the financial aid office to establish both qualitative and quantitative standards that you must meet in order to be eligible for aid.
Our office checks your progress every May for two year Associate Degree programs, and every semester for one year Certificate programs.
Any deficiencies in your progress must be made up at your expense by successfully completing courses at Butler County Community College. Once the deficiency is remedied, you must inform the Financial Aid Office that you would like your financial aid reinstated for subsequent periods of enrollment.
Right to appeal- You have one opportunity to request, in writing, a review of your financial aid eligibility. The letter, addressed to the Director of Financial Aid, should describe in detail the reason(s) for failure to make satisfactory progress.
Required Credits Earned- Quantitative Standard
To make progress, you must earn 75% of the credits you attempted and were paid to take: The example outlines the minimum number of credits you must earn to meet this requirement.
Minimum Cumulative QPR Requirement- Qualitative Standard
To demonstrate progression, you must maintain a minimum QPA. The example outlines the cumulative minimum QPA requirement.
How is my QPA Calculated?
Enrollment:
Full Time = 12 or more credits
3/4 Time = 9-11 credits
1/2 Time = 6-8 credits
1/4 Time = 1-5 credits
What Does "Earned" Mean?
Any grade of D or better counts as Earned for meeting the Quantitative Standard of financial aid progress.
Any grade of F, W, or I counts as Attempted but not Earned and therefore does not count towards the Quantitative Standard for financial aid progress.
What If I Repeat a Class?
Financial Aid may be used to pay for a repeat of a "D" or an "F" grade one time.
If you repeat a class in the same academic year, the credits only count once toward your financial aid progress.
Maximum Time Frame
Your federal financial aid eligibility is limited to 150% of the published length of your program. Generally, BC3 Associate Degree programs are about 64 credits in length. Therefore, a student will be eligible for financial aid up to attaining 96 credits.
Once you reach the credit limit you are "Out of Financial Aid (OFA)". To be considered for additional funding beyond the 96 credits, you must complete an appeal form through our office for each academic year. Appeals are considered on a case by case basis, and once you reach 128 total credits, no further appeal will be granted.
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Useful Information
Federal School Code: 003240
Financial Aid Office
Butler County Community College
107 College Drive
Butler, PA 16003
Phone: 724.284.8509
Fax: 724.287.4961
Office Hours:
Monday thru Friday
8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
