Eligibility

Eligible students are notified by mail. The majority of awards are made during the months of May, June, July, and August for students entering for the fall semester, and November and December for students entering for the spring semester. Eligible students receive a Financial Aid Award Letter, outlining awards being offered, and terms and conditions of the awards. Most awards are based upon financial need, and eligible students generally are awarded a combination of types of awards, referred to as a "financial aid package." This "package" is usually a combination of grant/scholarship, loan, and work-study opportunities. You may also view your financial aid package using the Web Advisor.

Non-eligible students are notified in writing of the reasons why aid was refused, and may appeal this decision by directing a request for reconsideration, in writing, to the Financial Aid Office.

A sample budget, used for financial aid purposes during 2007-2008, for an in-county commuter student living with parents is listed below:

Tuition and Fees $3210
Room and Board 1500
Books and Supplies 1350
Transportation 2400
Personal Expenses 1350
TOTAL $9810

General Application Eligibility Criteria

To apply for assistance, students MUST:

  • be U.S. citizens or permanent residents;
  • provide the BCCC Office of Admissions with either a high school transcript or a high school equivalency diploma;
  • be enrolled or planning to enroll for at least six (6) credits for most programs; Federal Pell Grant eligibility has been extended to less than half-time students.
  • be enrolled in a major on a degree-seeking basis leading to an Associate of Arts Degree or Certificate offered by the College. (NOTE: Students enrolling on a non-degree seeking basis are not eligible for financial aid. Some financial aid programs will not cover the College's Certificate Programs. Contact the Financial Aid Office for details.)
  • not be in default status on a previously secured student loan;
  • not owe a refund due to an overpayment received from a federal or state student aid program;
  • be making satisfactory academic progress.

Enrollment Status

Eligibility for financial aid awards is contingent upon enrollment status throughout the semester. Some programs require students to maintain full-time status. Other programs require that students maintain at least half-time enrollment. In most cases, award amounts are dependent upon enrollment status. Adjustments in enrollment status either between or during semesters will result in adjustments to award amounts or cancellation of awards.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

To continue to be eligible for financial aid, a student is required, by federal regulations, to maintain satisfactory academic progress in the course of study he or she is pursuing. This policy was written to comply with current federal regulations and becomes effective with the 2005-2006 academic year.

  1. A student's academic progress will be checked at the end of each semester. All prior semesters are reviewed whether or not a student has received financial aid during each semester.

  2. Students who have attended Bucks County Community College for less than (2) two academic years must maintain a grade point average which complies with the following scale:

    Credits Attempted G.P.A.
    Includes "F" grades, Withdrawals (W) and Incompletes (I) and Transfers (TR)
    0-8 no minimum
    9-16 at least 1.00
    17-30 at least 1.60
    31-45 at least 1.75
    46 or more at least 1.85

    Once a student attends Bucks County Community College for two (2) academic years* a student must have a grade point average consistent with graduation requirements. A grade point average that is considered to be consistent with graduation requirements is at least 2.00.

    * For example, a student who attends fall 2006, spring 2007, summer 2007 and fall of 2008 has attended two (2) academic years for purposes of this policy. (Combined summer sessions will be treated as one semester.)

  3. In addition to the GPA requirement, a student must successfully complete sixty-seven (67%) percent of attempted credits during each semester of enrollment at the College. Total credits attempted include grades of F, Withdrawals (W), and Incompletes (I) and Transfer Credits (TR).

  4. Once a student attempts more than 150% of the credits that it normally takes to complete his/ her program of study, he/she is no longer eligible for financial aid. Exceptions may be made for students who have changed their major. If a student wishes to be considered for such an exception, the student must complete an appeal form in the Financial Aid Office. If an exception is made to the maximum time frame for a student, due to a change in major, the Financial Aid Office will notify the student of the academic plan which must be followed.

  5. Repeat courses will be counted towards total credits attempted and total credits completed for determining the required 67% credit completion rate referred to in item #3 of this policy. Repeat courses will also be counted towards the 150% maximum credit limit referred to in item #4 of this policy. Finally, the grade earned by retaking a course is the grade, other than W, counted in the cumulative grade point average.

  6. If lack of academic progress results from either the death of a relative of the student, an injury or illness of the student, or other special circumstances, this policy may be reconsidered on a case-by-case basis. For special consideration, a student must complete an appeal form in the Financial Aid Office.

  7. Students not meeting the satisfactory academic progress requirements may be reinstated for financial aid once they have enrolled at their own expense and successfully completed the number of credits prescribed by the Financial Aid Office in the “no progress ” letter sent to students. In addition, they must also meet the grade point average requirement referred to in item #2 of this policy.

  8. Federal regulations permit financial aid to be awarded for no more than 30 semester hours of remedial coursework. Once a student has attempted a total of 30 semester hours of remedial courses, no additional remedial courses will qualify for financial aid. English as a Second Language (AESL) courses are exempt from the remedial course limit. Remedial courses will be counted as attempted credits and calculated into the G.P.A. The PHEAA State Grant has other remedial requirements. Please see the rules and regulations in the PHEAA Grant eligibility notice provided to you with your state grant award notice.

Class Attendance

To be eligible to receive financial aid, students must be attending class(es)on a regular basis. Failure to attend classes is not considered to be an official withdrawal from class(es) or the College. It is the student ’s responsibility to notify the Admissions Office of intent to withdraw from class(es) or the College.Students who stop attending class(es), but fail to notify the Admissions Office, will be required to repay any financial aid refund received to cover educational expenses during the time of non-class attendance.

Enrollment in a study abroad program approved for credit may be considered enrollment at Bucks County Community College for the purpose of applying for Title IV assistance. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for further information.