Academic Notice and Financial Aid SAP Appeal

What is academic notice?

Academic notice occurs when a student’s GPA falls below the College’s minimum retention standards. For example, if a student attempted 0-12 credits, the minimum GPA earned at the end of that semester must be 1.50. Anything lower will result in the student being placed on academic notice.

Cumulative Credits Attempted Minimum Cumulative GPA
0-12 1.50
13-24 1.75
25+ 2.00

What happens once a student is placed on academic notice?

Students on Academic Notice 1 will have two semesters (fall/spring) to get back in good academic standing.  Students on Academic Notice 2 will have one semester (fall/spring) to regain good academic standing or they will face dismissal from the College.

While on academic notice, students are limited to taking a maximum of 14 credits/hours during the fall/spring semester.

While academic notice is very serious and needs to be immediately addressed, students shouldn’t feel alone in getting back into good standing. The College offers many resources to help students succeed, like tutoring, academic coaching, academic advisement and counseling!

How does a student get off of academic notice?

There are many strategies that students can use to get back into good academic standing. Oftentimes, students are advised to retake courses previously failed. However, as each student’s situation may be different, we strongly encourage students to meet with their/an academic advisor to develop a personalized plan to get into good academic standing. Using our GPA calculator, students and advisors can determine minimum grades needed and create an academic plan that takes into consideration their work/home schedule and other factors (i.e CUNY’s 16 credit repeat policy).

We advise students to identify the barriers that may have caused them to be placed on academic notice and then, if necessary, utilize the resources available at the College.

Students should regularly check-in with their professor to inquire about their progress in the course and see if the professor has any suggestions on improving.

What happens if students do not get off of Academic Notice 2?

Students in Academic Notice 2 who are unable to regain good academic standing or achieve a term GPA of 3.0 will face dismissal from the College and cannot reenroll for the next regular (fall/spring) term until they are reinstated. If dismissed, students are required to file an Academic (CAS) Appeal for reinstatement with the Counseling Center.

Students with granted appeals are reinstated to the College under Academic Notice Appeal. Students with approved reinstatement appeals are limited to no more than 14 credits/hours and have one semester to regain good academic standing.

What does continued probation mean?

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students on academic probation in spring and fall 2020 were not dismissed regardless of their academic standing. Instead, they were placed on continued probation. Students on continued probation are limited to no more than 14 credits/hours and are expected to regain good academic standing.

Visit BMCC’s academic notice policies page for more information.

Advisor Recommendations to regain good academic standing

  • Meet with your/an academic advisor as soon as possible and regularly.
  • Create a realistic academic plan and course schedule.
  • Check in with your professors regularly to inquire on your progress in their class.
    Don’t be afraid to ask for help!

Financial Aid SAP Appeal

What is the financial aid SAP appeal?

This appeal is required if a student’s financial aid has been suspended because they are not meeting satisfactory academic progress (SAP). SAP is not met when:

  • The college’s minimum retention standard are not met based on their cumulative GPA.
  • They have exceeded the maximum credit hour limit (i.e. they have attempted more than 150% of the credits normally required for their degree).
  • Their cumulative rate of completion is below the required pace of progression standard.

Do students need to meet with an academic advisor to complete the appeal?

Yes. An academic advisor is able to assist students in creating the academic plan for the Financial Aid SAP appeal.

Is there a deadline to submit the appeal?

Yes. Please check the academic calendar for the Financial Aid appeal deadline for the term you are seeking financial aid.

Where can I find the Financial Aid SAP appeal?

You can find instructions on how to access the Financial Aid SAP appeal here.  Please note, you must first file your FAFSA in order to have access to the Financial Aid SAP appeal link through CUNYfirst.