Purpose
Federal and state regulations require that students receiving financial aid maintain satisfactory academic progress. Blue Ridge Community College applies these standards to all federal and state financial aid funds in order to maintain a consistent procedure for all students receiving assistance.
Procedure Statement
In order to be eligible for financial aid, students must meet the following minimum guidelines:
- The student must successfully complete at least 67% of all credit hours attempted.
- Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 (C) or better at Blue Ridge Community College.
- Students must complete their program of study in a timeframe not to exceed 150 percent of the credit hours required of the program. All credit hours attempted, with the exception of developmental classes, will be counted even if the student changes programs.
Special Notes
- Withdrawal — Students who officially withdraw from classes (or are withdrawn unofficially by their instructor for non-attendance) should understand their withdrawal might affect their eligibility for financial aid determined by this satisfactory academic progress policy.
- Grades — Grades of A, B, C, D, P or CR will be considered as hours attempted and earned. Grades of F, WF, WP, W, R or I will be considered as hours attempted, but will NOT be considered as hours earned. Grades of NS or Y will not be counted as hours attempted OR earned. Transfer credit hours accepted from other institutions are included in the calculation of the maximum timeframe.
- Repeated Courses — Students are permitted to repeat a class in which their prior grade was a “WP”, “WF”, “F”, “R” or a “D”. Special Note: This provision may not apply to a student who is receiving VA benefits.
- Enrollment at two colleges during the same term (Consortium Agreement) — A student’s academic progress will be calculated by BRCC as the Home Institution, with the 67% rule being calculated based on hours attempted at both institutions and the GPA from BRCC only.
- Developmental Courses — Developmental courses (designated by course numbers below 100, e.g. MAT 043) ARE eligible for inclusion in receipt of financial aid, and therefore, meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress guidelines. However, a student may only receive financial aid for a maximum 30 credit hours of attempted developmental courses.
It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of his/her eligibility for financial aid. Each student’s academic record will be evaluated at the end of every semester to determine their eligibility for financial aid the next term. Once a student becomes ineligible for financial aid based upon his/her failure to meet the minimum guidelines for attempted hours and/or GPA, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Warning for ONE semester. The student is eligible to receive aid during that semester. If the student fails to regain eligibility at the end of the warning semester, financial aid will be suspended and the student must pay for their next semester of enrollment. A student’s financial aid will be reinstated the next semester of enrollment after meeting both the 67% hours attempted AND the 2.00 cumulative GPA requirements.
A student who has become ineligible for financial aid due to a failure to meet the minimum guidelines for satisfactory academic progress may appeal their status to the Financial Aid Office and request to be placed on Financial Aid Probation. Appeals will be considered for extenuating circumstances only (i.e. an extended illness or injury, death in the immediate family, length of time out of school, etc.) and must be made in writing stating why they failed to meet the guidelines and how those circumstances have changed. In addition, the student should provide all relevant supporting documentation (e.g. hospital/doctor verification, death certificate, etc).
Circumstances that are deemed to be academic in nature or within the student’s area of control are not usually considered as grounds for appeal. Appeals may be made for any student not meeting the 67% rule or the GPA requirement. Students with documented learning disabilities, medical conditions requiring a change in program, or those with a semester or less remaining to complete their program may appeal the 150% time frame. All appeals should be submitted to the Financial Aid Office. The student will receive a notice of approval or denial of their appeal to be placed on Financial Aid Probation in a timely manner.
Students who are placed on Financial Aid Probation may be required to meet specific criteria as outlined in an individualized Academic Plan in order to be eligible for continued receipt of financial aid.
If the student’s appeal is denied, their financial aid will be suspended and the student must pay for their next semester of enrollment. A student’s financial aid will be reinstated the next semester of enrollment after meeting both the 67% hours attempted AND the 2.00 cumulative GPA requirements. A student may appeal the decision of the Financial Aid Office by requesting, in writing, that their appeal be reviewed by the Financial Aid & Scholarship Committee.
Contáctenos
Oficina de Avuda Financiera
Campus del Condado de Henderson
180 West Campus Drive
Flat Rock, NC 28731
finaid@blueridge.edu
Código escolar: 009684
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