What is Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)?
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is the standard used to measure whether you are making successful progress toward your degree or certificate. SAP is evaluated for both academic standing and financial aid eligibility, although the requirements may differ.
SAP is based on the following criteria:
- Completion Rate: The percentage of credits you successfully complete compared with the credits you attempt. Grades of F, NA, W, and IP count as attempted but not completed credits and lower your completion rate.
- Grade Point Average (GPA): Your cumulative Grade Point Average is based on the grades you have earned.
- Pace of Completion (Financial Aid Only): A measure of how quickly you are progressing toward completing your program.
The SAP policy is in the Student Handbook.
How does the Academic Standing process work?
Academic standing is reviewed at the end of every fall and spring semester for students who have attempted 12 or more credits (this is equivalent to 4, 3-credit classes).
Step 1: Your academic standing is reviewed
Your cumulative GPA and completion rate are compared to the college's minimum academic standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Academic Standing Categories:
- Good Standing
- Assigned to students who meet the minimum cumulative GPA and completion rate requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress.
- Academic Warning
- Assigned to students who do not meet the minimum cumulative GPA and/or completion rate requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress.
- Academic Improvement
- Assigned to students who do not meet the minimum cumulative GPA and/or completion rate but do meet the minimum term GPA and completion rate for Satisfactory Academic Progress.
- Academic Probation
- Assigned to students who do not meet the minimum cumulative GPA and/or completion rate requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress after being on Academic Warning or Academic Improvement.
- Academic Suspension
- Assigned to students who do not meet the minimum cumulative GPA and/or completion rate requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress after being on Academic Probation.
How am I notified about my Academic Standing?
Students will receive an email notification about their Academic Standing category and any next steps they may need to take within 1-2 weeks after the end of the fall or spring semester.
If you are on Academic Warning
At the end of your Academic Warning semester:
You return to Good Standing if:
- Your cumulative GPA and cumulative completion rate meet the required minimum.
You move to Academic Improvement if:
- Your term GPA and completion rate meet the required minimum, but your cumulative GPA and/or completion rate do not.
You move to Academic Probation if:
- Your cumulative GPA and/or completion rate remain below the required minimum, and your term GPA and/or completion rate do not meet the required minimum.
Advising support: When on Academic Warning, you will work with your assigned advisor to create a plan to improve your GPA and/or completion rate.
If you are on Academic Probation
At the end of your Academic Probation semester:
You return to Good Standing if:
- Your cumulative GPA and cumulative completion rate meet the required minimum.
You move to Academic Improvement if:
- Your term GPA and completion rate meet the required minimum, but your cumulative GPA and/or completion rate do not.
You are placed on Academic Suspension if:
- Your cumulative GPA and/or completion rate remain below the required minimum, and your term GPA and/or completion rate do not meet the required minimum.
Advising support: When on Academic Probation, you will have a required meeting with your assigned advisor to create a plan to improve your GPA and/or completion rate.
If you are on Academic Improvement
At the end of your Academic Improvement semester:
You return to Good Standing if:
- Your cumulative GPA and cumulative completion rate meet the required minimum.
You remain on Academic Improvement if:
- Your term GPA and completion rate meet the required minimum, but your cumulative GPA and/or completion rate do not.
Students may remain on Academic Improvement for up to three consecutive semesters.
You move to Probation or Suspension if:
- Your cumulative GPA and/or completion rate remain below the required minimum and your term GPA and/or completion rate do not meet the required minimum.
- Your next status depends on where you were before Academic Improvement:
- Students who entered Academic Improvement from Academic Warning move to Academic Probation.
- Students who entered Academic Improvement from Academic Probation move to Academic Suspension.
If, after three consecutive semesters on Academic Improvement, your cumulative GPA and/or completion rate still do not meet the required minimum, you will be placed on Academic Suspension.
Advising support: When on Academic Improvement, you will work with your assigned advisor to create a plan to improve your GPA and/or completion rate.
If you are on Academic Suspension
Students placed on Academic Suspension are required to take one semester away from the college. They may also submit an appeal to request reinstatement by following the Suspension Appeal Process.
Suspension Appeal Process
- Submit a suspension appeal form
- Suspension appeal deadline for fall 2026 semester: August 11, 2026.
- A committee will review all submitted appeal forms, and a decision will be sent to students via their BHCC email.
- If approved to return, attendance at a GROW session will be required before being able to enroll in classes.
Advising support: If approved to return to BHCC, you will have a required meeting with your assigned advisor to create a plan to improve your GPA and/or completion rate.