Introduction
Financial Aid Mission Statement
Applying for Financial Aid
Grants and Scholarships
Loans
Student Employment
How Aid is Awarded
Cost of Attendance
Rights and Responsibilities of Aid Recipients
General Eligibility Requirements
Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
VA Benefits

Introduction
BCC has a comprehensive financial aid program that includes scholarships, grants, loans and work-study opportunities to assist students in meeting college costs. Funds come from many sources including state and federal goverments, local businesses and industry, and civic organizations.

Financial Aid Mission Statement
The Financial Aid Office of BCC is committed to providing quality financial aid services to all eligible students and

• Delivering Federal Title IV aid, New Jersey state aid, veterans benefits, BCC Foundation assistance, and outside scholarship assistance to students who are eligible for educational funding via these resources.
• Acting as a resource to county residents, providing information about the financial aid application process.
• Serving our students in a timely, equitable, accurate, courteous, and fiscally responsible manner adhering to all federal, state, and college regulations.

Applying for Financial Aid
The first step in applying for financial aid is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This allows you to apply for federal and state grants and many institutional scholarships. There is no charge for filing the FAFSA. Filing online at www.fafsa.ed.gov is the fastest, most efficient way to apply for Financial Aid. A FAFSA must be completed every academic year.

Deadline
Your file must be complete by May 15 for the Fall semester and October 1 for the Spring semester to be considered a priority application and have funds available at registration. For a file to be considered complete, your FAFSA must be processed by the Department of Education and the results received by BCC. In addition, you must submit any documentation requested by BCC in order to complete your FAFSA application.
            Priority applications will be processed prior to the start of the semester. However, as long as we receive your FAFSA before the end of the enrollment period for which you are applying for aid, we will review your eligibility.

Completing the FAFSA
You should complete the FAFSA using tax information from the prior calendar year. If you are dependent, then you must list both your and your parent’s information. If you are married, then you must list information for yourself and your spouse. Sign and date the FAFSA and have your parent sign if you are dependent. Electronic signatures may be completed by obtaining a PIN.
            We encourage you to electronically file and sign your FAFSA with the Department of Education at www.fafsa.ed.gov. It is the fastest and easiest way to file your FAFSA every year that you are attending BCC. Before filling online, you (and your parent if you are dependent) should go to www.pin.ed.gov  and apply for a PIN(s). Having a PIN allows you and your parents to sign your FAFSA electronically, thereby completing the entire process online. If you do not have a PIN, then you must have a printer available to print out and mail the FAFSA signature page.
            In the school choice section of the FAFSA, you must tell the federal processor which schools should receive your information. Enter BCC’s Federal School Code: 007730.

How do I get help?
For your convenience, you can apply for a PIN and file online using one the ‘Student Use’ computers available on most of BCC’s campuses.
            Online help with the filing process is available at www.fafsa.ed.gov and at www.studentaid.ed.gov. You can obtain help over the telephone at 1-800-433-3243. Additional assistance may also be provided from the Financial Aid Counseling staff at the Pemberton campus.

What happens next?
Approximately 3 to 4 weeks after you have completed your FAFSA you should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) from the US Department of Education’s Federal Processor. BCC receives the same information electronically. The Financial Aid Office will notify you with a letter and on Web Advisor if additional documentation is needed. You may check the status of your financial aid application process by accessing WebAdvisor through Student Services online.

Grants and Scholarships

Tuition Aid Grants (TAG)
TAG is a state program, and is based on a student’s family income, number of persons in the family, the number of persons in the family who are attending college, the cost of tuition and fees at Burlington County College, and other expenses faced by the student’s family. Grants in 2008-09 ranged from $922 to $1970 per year, do not have to be repaid and may be used during the fall and spring semester only. To be eligible, a person must have resided in New Jersey for at least 12 months prior to the application date for the grant; be a degree-seeking student, and file the FAFSA.

Part-Time Tuition Aid Grants (PTTAG)
The Part-Time Tuition Aid Grant Program for County College Students began as a pilot program with the 2003-04 academic year. Within the limits of available funding, this program provides pro-rated awards for eligible students taking 6 - 11 credits per term, who are otherwise eligible for the Tuition Aid Grant Program. The maximum 2008-09 award for students enrolled in less than full time (6 -11 credit hours) was $218 - $766 per semester.

Federal Pell Grants
Federal Pell Grants are one of the most widely used financial aid programs. It is a federally-funded program open to all degree-seeking BCC students who have need and who are U.S. citizens, or permanent residents. The amount of the grants awarded is based on the number of degree-seeking credits during a semester, the cost of attending Burlington County College and the student’s financial resources (a formula used by the Federal Pell Grant program). Federal Pell Grants at BCC range from $609 to approximately $5,350 maximum per year, and do not have to be repaid.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
FSEOG is also a federal grant. It is designed for students with exceptional financial need. FSEOG grants at BCC average $200 per year and do not have to be repaid. Eligible degree-seeking students must register for at least six credits for each semester during which they receive FSEOG funds. FSEOG funds are awarded to the neediest eligible on-time Federal Pell Grant applicants first, and if funds remain, to other students on the basis of need.

Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
ACG is a federal need-based grant available to Pell Grant eligible students who have successfully completed a rigorous secondary school program. Eligible ACG students should have graduated after January 1, 2006. ACG funds are awarded $750 for the first year and $1,300 for the second year of eligibility. Additional criteria may be viewed at: http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/AcademicGrants.jsp?tab=funding

Loans
Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP)
The FFELP program is available to students enrolled for at least six credits. To receive priority consideration, submit applications approximately 60 days before the semester starts. Applicants must first file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Recipients must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Some of the loans are repayable after graduation or upon the students enrolling less than half time. For more information contact the Financial Aid Office.

Student Loan Request Form
If you wish to receive funds from a Federal Stafford loan, you must return the Student Loan Request Form to the BCC Financial Aid Office.

Student Loans
To be considered for a Federal Stafford loan, students must have their FAFSA processed by the Department of Education. All borrowers must complete a Stafford loan application. First time borrowers at BCC must also complete an Entrance Interview.

Maximum Annual Federal Stafford Loan Limits

*An additional $2000 unsubsidized Stafford loan is available for all students.
Parent Loans (PLUS)
Annual loan limit is the dependent students cost of education minus the students financial aid. Repayment begins within sixty days of disbursement, with up to ten years to repay. Interest rate for new borrowers is variable with a 9% cap.

NJ CLASS Student Loans
Annual loan limit is the cost of education minus any estimated financial aid received. Three repayment options: 1) defer all payments until after graduation; 2) pay interest only; 3) pay interest and principal. Students must take full subsidized Stafford eligibility first.

Student Employment
Federal Work–Study Program (FWS)
FWS is a federal employment program in which the government allocates funds to the institution to employ students on campus to help them pay for their education expenses. FWS is available to degree-seeking students enrolled at least six credits and who show financial need. Students generally work an average of 15 hours per week. Recipients must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress. In order to receive consideration for Federal Work Study, students must file the Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) each year.

Institutional Work-Study Program (9140)
IWS is an institutional employment program in which the college makes available employment for students enrolled at least six hours. Students generally work an average of 15 hours per week. In order to receive consideration for Institutional Work Study, it is recommended that students file the Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) each year.

How aid is awarded
Students qualify for most financial aid based on their eligibility for individual sources of aid and their financial need: A family's or student’s financial need is based on a simple formula:

Cost of Attendance
Financial aid is awarded to cover the total Cost of Attendance minus any “Expected Family Contribution” from the FAFSA application. The following components comprise the standard Cost of Attendance:

• Tuition and Fees
• Room and Board (Housing)*
• Books and Supplies
• Transportation
• Personal Costs

*On-campus housing is not available at Burlington County College. Allowances included under Room and Board will include funds that could be used for your rent, groceries, and utilities.

Child care and other educationally related expenses not included in the standard budget may be added to your student budget by filing a request with the Financial Aid Office.

Financial Aid is disbursed each semester. Aid awarded in excess of BCC tuition and fees, and if eligible, book vouchers will be “refunded” to the student to pay for books, transportation, and other personal costs.

The estimated budget for a typical BCC student would be based on the following:

Tuition and fees: $ 2,316
Books and supplies: $1,200
Personal and transportation: 3,510
Room and board: 9,990__________
Budget estimate: $17,016

Resources family contribution
Your family contribution (FC) includes parental contribution (PC) and student contribution (SC). The family contribution is computed from the FAFSA, which you must be completed each school year.

Other resources

Other resources may include Social Security benefits, V.A. benefits, Public Assistance (welfare), child support, and other non-taxed funds.

The aid award package

Your award is designed to meet any remaining need you may have after taking your budget, resources, and outside aid into consideration. The Financial Aid Office attempts to provide each financial aid applicant with a package consisting of grants, first; Federal work study, second; and loans third. Therefore, all aid applicants will be screened for Federal and State grants before being considered for other aid programs.

Rights and Responsibilities of Aid Recipients
Before receiving funds, students must follow these steps:

• All aid recipients are required to be degree-seeking.
• All aid recipients must have a high school diploma or GED in order to receive funding.
• Any financial aid applicant, who has been selected for verification by the federal programs, state programs or by the institution, must complete the verification process prior to disbursement of any financial aid funds.
• Every financial aid recipient is required to notify the Financial Aid Office whenever they drop or add courses.

Aid recipients may continue to receive funds provided they:

• Maintain satisfactory academic progress in the course of study they are pursuing.
• Are not in default on any Federal loan at nay institution.
• Do not owe a refund on grants previously received under EOF, SEOG, PELL, TAG or any other state or federal financial aid program.
• Are citizens or nationals of the United States or in the United States for other than a temporary purpose and intend to become permanent resident.

General Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for federal, state and BCC need-based financial aid and most assistance other than scholarships, you must meet the general eligibility requirements:

• Demonstrate financial need.
• Have a high school diploma or general education diploma (GED) or be able to benefit from the education or training offered.
• Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a degree or certificate program, or in another program leading to a recognized educational credential.
• Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or eligible non-citizen.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress in your degree or certificate program of study.
• Meet the defined criteria to each financial aid program.

Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

All students receiving student financial aid from federal, state or institutional sources must make satisfactory academic progress (SAP) at Burlington County College (BCC).  SAP is monitored once a year at the end of the Spring semester for aid recipients who are degree-seeking.   Aid recipients pursing a certificate are monitored at the end of the Fall and Spring semesters.  SAP measures a student’s performance for all terms of enrollment, including terms in which the student does not receive financial aid.  The three requirements measure cumulative grade point average, percent of credits earned relative to those attempted, and percent of attempted credits, including transfer credits, relative to the credits required for program completion.

A financial aid applicant is responsible for knowing the Financial Aid SAP Policy.    The Financial Aid Office sends a notification of aid eligibility (or ineligibility) to a student who has been placed on probation or unsatisfactory status.  Whether or not a student receives the notification, responsibility for meeting the minimum SAP requirements to qualify for student aid remains with the student.  Students who are ineligible for aid may enroll at BCC if they are able to pay for tuition and fees.  Payment arrangements can be made by contacting the BCC Business Office

To maintain satisfactory academic progress and aid eligibility, an aid recipient must meet all three of the following minimum requirements.

1. Completion Rate

A student must successfully complete a minimum of 66.67% of all credits attempted to be making satisfactory progress and maintain aid eligibility. Credits with grades of A, B+, B, C+, C, D, P or O are successfully completed.. 

If a completion rate is below 66.67%, a student is placed on Unsatisfactory status and is ineligible for aid, unless a student qualifies for Probation. If a completion is between 50% and 66.66%, the student may qualify for Probation and be aid eligible for one probation period, if all other requirements are met.

2. Maximum Time Frame
A student must complete a program of study within 150% of the number of credit hours required for degree graduation or certificate completion to be making Satisfactory progress and maintain aid eligibility. The 150% is measured on the basis of attempted credits, including transfer credits.  For example, if an associate degree program requires 64 credits for graduation, it must be completed within 96 credits to maintain aid eligibility.  Since credit hour requirements for academic programs vary, check the College Catalog for the precise number of credits required. Multiply the number by 1.5.

NOTE: The measure of maximum time frame will exclude up to 30 credits of developmental course work and all English as a Second Language (ESL) course work in the calculation of attempted credits.

If the number of attempted credits exceeds 150% of the active program’s requirement for graduation, the student is placed on Unsatisfactory status and is ineligible for financial aid. The student may appeal based on special circumstances, a change in the academic program of study or pursuit of a second degree. See Appeal Process below.  

NOTE: BCC permits the pursuit of more than one academic program concurrently. Maximum Time Frame will be measured using the credit number requirements of the longest standing active program.

3. Cumulative Grade Point Average
A student must maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) to be making Satisfactory progress and maintain aid eligibility.  The GPA is calculated by dividing total number of grade points earned by the total credits attempted for courses with grades of A, B+, B, C+, C, D, F and ST.

If the cumulative GPA is less than 2.0, the student is placed on Unsatisfactory status and is ineligible for financial aid, with the following exceptions.    Students that have attempted less than 48 credits and have a cumulative GPA within the following ranges are placed on Probation and are eligible for aid for one probationary period, if meeting completion rate requirement. 

If the student is degree-seeking the probationary period is one year. If the student is certificate-seeking, the probationary period is one term. At the end of the probationary period, and the student has not achieved at least a cumulative 2.0 GPA, the student is placed on Unsatisfactory status and is ineligible for financial aid.

Academic Amnesty  

Federal regulations make no provision for academic amnesty. If a student’ s prior coursework was given special treatment under BCC’s provisions for Academic Amnesty, the student’s cumulative GPA must be calculated based on the inclusion of all credits attempted at BCC.   If the recalculated GPA is less than 2.0, the student may appeal to the Financial Aid Office for special circumstances.

Transfer Credits  

Credits transferred from another college are counted in the number of credits attempted and completed to measure completion rate and maximum time frame. Transfer credits are not counted in the calculation of grade point average. 

Withdrawals/Incompletes/Repeats/Other Grades  

NOTE: None of the following grades are included in the calculation of cumulative GPA with the one exception of the highest grade earned on a repeated course.

Credits with a grade of “W” (withdrawal) or “E” (old excused withdrawal), and “AW” (administrative withdrawal) assigned after the drop/add period of a term are treated as attempted but not earned. 

Credits with a grade of “I” (incomplete) or “X” (extended incomplete) are treated as attempted but not earned. 

Credits for repeated courses are treated as attempted but not earned, except for the course with the highest grade, which is included in the GPA calculation. 

Credits for developmental and ESL coursework with a grade of “P” (passing), “O” (outstanding), or “S” (satisfactory) are treated as attempted and earned.  A grade of “U” and “SR” (unsatisfactory) or “Q” (questionable) are treated as attempted but not earned.  

Credits with a grade of “N” (no grade reported) or “NA” (non-attendance) are treated as attempted but not earned. 

A grade of “AU” (audit), “L” (old audit), “M” (old audit non-attendance), “Z” (withdrew before the 10th day of a term), “AW” (administrative withdrawal), or “EX” (credit by exam) are not included in attempted or earned credits. In addition a status of “D” (dropped) is not included in attempted or earned credits.

Second Degree Students
Financial aid is available for students pursing a second degree.   Credits hours attempted and/or completed toward a prior degree will be included in the measures of Completion Rate and Maximum Time Frame, along with any transfer credits. The student may appeal to exclude credits not applicable to second degree.

Change in Program
If a student changes academic programs, the credits from the prior program will be counted in attempted and earned credits.   If the student does not meet the minimum SAP requirements, the student may appeal on the basis of a change in program and request that only credits applicable to the new program be included in the calculation of cumulative GPA, completion rate, and maximum time frame.

Ineligibility for Financial Aid

Students classified as on Academic Dismissal by BCC are immediately ineligible for financial aid. Any aid disbursed for a term in which the student has been dismissed must be repaid to the College.

Students who do not meet the minimum SAP requirements and have a SAP status of Unsatisfactory are ineligible for financial aid. Any aid disbursed for a term in which they the student is disqualified must be repaid to the College.

Appeal Process
Students placed on Unsatisfactory status may appeal their status and eligibility for financial aid. by submitting an appeal in writing to the Financial Aid Office and will be evaluated by the Financial Aid SAP Committee for special circumstances.
Special circumstances with documentation that may be approved includes:

1. student has a serious illness or accident on the part of the student,
2. death, accident, or serious illness in the immediate family,
3. unanticipated military deployment, or
4. change in academic program

Documentation of the student’s special circumstances, past academic performance, and assessment of ability to make up the SAP deficiencies will be evaluated. If the appeal is approved, the student is placed on Probation for one year if pursing a degree or one term if pursing a certificate.  Approval of financial aid based on an appeal is normally granted one time during a student’s academic career at Burlington County College.  If a student has not corrected the deficiencies after the first probationary period, the student is ineligible for aid until the deficiencies are corrected.

Unless there are special circumstances, a student placed on Unsatisfactory status should demonstrate the ability to successfully complete coursework without financial aid before making an appeal.  

A student who fails to meet the SAP requirements and chooses to enroll without benefit of financial aid may appeal for reinstatement of financial aid eligibility when the SAP minimum requirements are met.

Students should be aware that being re-admitted to BCC does not automatically make them eligible for financial aid.  Students must meet the standards above to qualify for financial aid eligibility.

Veteran's Benefits
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