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In order to receive Federal and New Jersey State grants, loans, scholarships, and work study, students must meet minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards while completing their Associate Degree or Certificate programs at Bergen Community College.
SAP measures students’ performance at the end of each semester in various areas, including completion rate, time frame, and cumulative grade point average.
More information on the Bergen Community College SAP Policies and Procedures can be found in the Academic Catalog ( www.bergen.edu/catalog ) under the “Enrollment Services “ content section.
What SAP Stand for?
Quantitative Pace – [Cumulative Completion Rate = Credits attempted vs. Credits Earned]
Students must meet the minimum completion rate as outlined in the following table:
| Attempted Credits | Minimum Pace |
| Any Number of Credits | 67% |
Qualitative Pace – [Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)]
Students must have a cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.0 on all hours attempted at Bergen to maintain financial aid assistance eligibility.
Maximum Time Frame
Students must meet the maximum time to complete their academic program.
This is 150% of the timeframe to complete their coursework as outlined in the following tables:
Associate Degree Program
| Cumulative Attempted Credits | Eligibility Status |
| 1-69 Credits | Acceptable |
| 70 – 90 Credits | Warning |
| 91+ Credits | Ineligible |
Certificate Program
| Cumulative Attempted Credits | Eligibility Status |
| 1-19 Credits | Acceptable |
| 20-45 Credits | Warning |
| 46+ Credits | Ineligible |
Health Profession Program
| Cumulative Attempted Credits | Eligibility Status |
| 1-89 Credits | In acceptable range |
| 90 – 120 Credits | Warning |
| 121+ Credits | Ineligible |
Treatment of Grades, Repeats, Audit, Withdrawals, & Grades
The following table outlines how course grades are treated in the SAP calculation.
| Course Grades | Counted as Attempted? | Counted as Completed? | Counted in GPA? | Included in Max Timeframe |
| Transferred Credits (TR) | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Incompletes (N or I) | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Official Withdrawal (W or CNP) | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Unofficial Withdrawal (E) | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Failure Grade – (F) | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Passing Grades – (A, B, C, D, CP) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Grades – Audit (AU) | No | No | No | No |
| Continuing Education Coursework | No | No | No | No |
| Remedial ESL / ALP Coursework | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
- Information on the grade assignment policy can be found in the College Catalog under “Academic Matters / Grading Policy” content section.
- Remedial ESL/ALP – American Language Program coursework information can be found at English Second Language (ESL)/American Language Program (ALP) information Web page
SAP Status Assignment after Calculation (end of each term)
| SAP Status Description | Eligible for Financial Aid? | SAP Appeal Eligibility | Academic Progress Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Satisfactory | Yes | Not Applicable | Satisfactory GPA and Pace |
| Graduate 2nd Degree | Yes | Not Applicable | Satisfactory GPA and Pace |
| Warning | Yes | Not Applicable | Close to Not Meeting GPA and/or Pace SAP Standards |
| Warning Unsatisfactory Maximum Timeframe | Yes | Eligible to Appeal | Close to Not Meeting Pace |
| Unsatisfactory | No | Eligible to Appeal | Failed to meet GPA and/or Pace SAP Standards |
| Failed Academic Plan | No | Not Applicable | Failed to meet Academic Plan Standards |
| Unsatisfactory Maximum Time Frame | No |
Eligible to Appeal IF graduating or recently enrolled in health program |
Failed to Meet Pace Standard |
| Maximum Time Frame Denied | No | Not Applicable | Exceed Pace Standard |
How to Appeal to Reconsider Reinstatement of Financial Aid
When SAP is calculated at the end of term, students will be notified of their respective SAP status in their Bergen Self Service Portal Account and Email (Bergen Community College and Personal).
If they are not meeting the SAP standard, they can follow the steps below (also detailed in the email) to file an appeal to reconsider reinstatement of their financial aid.
STEP 1. See an Academic Counselor/Advisor to complete your academic plan.
- For in-person assistance, report to the Center for Student Success/One Stop Center, Room OS-102, Pitkin Education Center.
- Academic counselors contact information can be found at www.bergen.edu/advising.
Notes: When contacting counselors/advisors in reference to SAP, make sure to use your Bergen Student Email, and include your Bergen Student ID#, your active Academic Program of Study, and “Financial Aid SAP” in the Subject line.
STEP 2. Review the academic plan & your program of study requirements with the Counselor/Advisor.
STEP 3. Check your Bergen CC email to complete the SAP Appeal.
- The SAP Appeal Form is to be initiated with the assistance of an Academic Counselor/Advisor.
- A notification with instructions to complete the rest of SAP appeal form content sections will be then be sent to your BCC student Email account.
- Make sure to include why you failed to meet the SAP standards AND how you will improve in the future.
Next STEPS? Appeals will be reviewed by the Financial Aid SAP Committee.
- Notification of Financial Aid SAP Committee’s decision will be posted to your Self-Service portal account and sent to your email within three (3) business days (expect some processing during peak registration times).
- Until a decision is made, students are responsible for any classes they register for.
- Information about SAP Appeal Submissions deadlines can be found on the Financial Aid Dates & Deadlines Web page.
SAP Status After Appeal Review by Committee
| SAP Status Description | Expectations/Remarks/Observations |
|---|---|
| Academic Plan |
|
| Health Professions Academic Plan |
|
| Denied |
|
| Fall, Spring, or Summer Only |
|
Second Review of SAP Appeal
If students’ SAP Appeal was denied, they can request a second review by the Assistant Vice President of Financial Aid.
For more information, contact financial.aid@bergen.edu