Federal Financial Aid
Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

This policy can be very confusing because it is discussing three types of probationary status; they are (1) Satisfactory Academic Progress probation and (2) Academic Probation, either of which can result in you being placed on (3) financial aid probation. Your satisfactory academic progress will be reviewed on an annual basis and your academic standing will be reviewed each semester, so there is the possibility that you could be placed on financial aid probation each semester. Please contact your faculty advisor or financial aid personnel should you have any question on this combination of policies.


Federal law requires all students who receive federal financial aid to make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward their degree. The intent of this policy is to ensure that students who are receiving federal financial aid for their education are making measurable academic progress toward completion of an eligible academic program in a reasonable period of time. Students at Bay Mills Community College must meet the following requirements:

  1. Credit Hours
    Students must earn at least 67 percent of the credit hours, which they attempt at BMCC on a cumulative basis. This is evaluated at the end of winter semester each year.  Students who fail to meet this requirement will be put on a SAP probation for their next academic year of attendance. Students put on probation will be notified in writing of their status and informed of the deficiency requiring correction. Eligibility for financial aid will be suspended if the deficiency is not corrected by the end of the next academic year.

  3. Grade Point Average (GPA)
    Students must meet the Academic Proficiency Standards as outlined in the Student Handbook. Undergraduate students with a cumulative BMCC GPA below 2.0 will be placed on academic probation. Students put on probation will be notified in writing of their status and informed of the deficiency requiring correction to be removed from probation. Students in good academic standing and on academic probation are eligible for financial aid; however, failure by the student(s) on academic probation to raise their GPA to the minimum 2.0 level after a semester of academic probation will result in financial aid suspension. Students on academic suspension are not eligible for federally sponsored financial aid programs.

    Transfer credits will not be considered in the cumulative BMCC GPA calculation. This standard will be reviewed at the conclusion of each semester by the registrar.

Maximum Credit Hours
Post secondary students are limited to receiving federal financial aid for up to 150 percent of the credit hours required for their program of study. For example, BMCC programs average 66 credit hours (some programs require more and some programs require less).  If you multiply 66 x 150% it equals 99; therefore, in your effort to earn an associate degree from BMCC, you can obtain financial aid for up to 99 credit hours provided you maintain satisfactory academic progress (which is addressed in section 1 & 2 of this policy). 


Students changing majors will be limited to financial aid for up to 150 percent of the number of credits required for their new program and all previous credit hours attempted will count against the total credit hours allowed. Eligibility for certificate and diploma students is limited to 150 percent of the hours needed for this program. For further definition of attempted credit hours, see Attempted Hours section below. If you are transferring credits in from another institution, these credits will count in the 150% of total credits eligible for financial aid.  For example, if you transfer in 20 credits the number of credits remaining is 79 that financial aid can be applied toward.  To ensure you obtain the correct amount of financial aid assistance based on your program, transfer credits, and eligibility, we recommend you discuss your situation with a financial aid advisor upon enrollment. 

Attempted Hours:
Attempted hours include credit hours successfully completed as well as credit hours that a student receives non-passing grades (F), credit hours that are not yet finished (I, Z, MG), and credit hours from which the student withdraws (W). Classes that a student passes and repeats count as earned only once, but all credit hours, including the repeated classes, are considered as attempted. Remedial classes count in both attempted and earned hour’s calculation even though the credits may not apply toward the completion of the degree requirements.

Removal from Suspension:
If you wish to be removed from Suspension you must complete, without federal financial aid assistance, at least eight credit hours of course work with a semester grade point average of at least 2.0. Once you have accomplished this, you will again be eligible to receive federal financial aid benefits for which you apply.

Right to Appeal:
If your unsatisfactory progress was due to extenuating circumstances, you must appeal your Financial Aid Suspension by the deadline for appeals stated in the notification letter. You must submit your appeal in writing to the Director of Financial Aid stating the reason for your unsatisfactory progress and in what way the situation has now been rectified, while attaching any appropriate documentation to your letter.