Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Federal regulations require students to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward the completion of their degree or certificate program to qualify for financial aid. Financial Aid applicants   will be evaluated by Student Services and Enrollment Management at the end of each Fall, Spring, and Summer semester after grades have been posted. Visit our website for the most up to date version of our SAP Policy, including definitions and the appeal process. 

Bristol Community College’s SAP policy includes both a qualitative component, or Grades/Grade Point Average (GPA) in the program of study, and a quantitative (time-based) component, or “Pace” at which students are expected to progress through their program of study toward degree completion.

At the time of each evaluation, a student who has not achieved the required GPA, or who is not successfully completing their program of study at the required Pace, will be notified in writing of any risk to their eligibility for federal, state, and institutional financial assistance, or academic standing. Students who fail to meet SAP standards for two consecutive evaluation periods in their current degree or certificate program will be deemed ineligible for further financial aid and may be subject to dismissal if they cannot achieve good academic standing within the required Pace. Students who have lost financial aid due to failing SAP can regain eligibility by meeting the SAP standard contained in the policy.

Qualitative Measure - Grade Point Average

Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA based on the total number of attempted credits within the student’s current program of study. Students are required to attain a 2.00 GPA overall for graduation.

Before graduating, students must achieve the specified GPA to remain in their program of study.

For an Associate Degree Program:

For a Certificate of Achievement (CTACH) or Certificate of Accomplishment (CTACC) only:

*Credits for which the student is registered at the end of the add/drop period.

**No student will be dismissed because of grades within the first 15 attempted credit hours.

Quantitative Measure – Pace of Completion

Students must successfully complete 67% of the credits they attempt to be considered making Pace. Students are allowed 150% of the normal time frame as measured by credit hours to complete their program of study. Unless noted in our policy, all courses are included in the calculation of Pace.

Failure to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress

At the time of each evaluation, a student who has not achieved the required GPA, or who is not successfully completing their program of study at the required Pace, will be notified in writing of the results of an evaluation that impacts their eligibility for federal, state, and institutional financial assistance, or academic standing.  Students may appeal a determination they are not making SAP to the Office of the Vice President for Student Services and Enrollment Management.  See our Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for more details.