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Financial Responsibility Agreement
Financing Your College Education
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Scholarship Programs
Financial Responsibility Agreement
All students are bound by the Butler County Community College (BC3) Student Financial Responsibility Statement upon course registration. The Statement outlines the financial terms and conditions associated with your registration. By registering for classes, you assume financial responsibility and agree to the terms of the Statement. If you have questions or would like more information about the BC3 Student Financial Responsibility Statement, please contact the Finance Office at 724-287-8711, ext. 8239 or studentaccounts@bc3.edu.
Student Payment of Fees/Promise to Pay Statement
Below is a copy of the Student Financial Responsibility Agreement that a BC3 Student agrees to when they register for classes.
I understand that when I register for any class at BC3 or receive any service from BC3 I accept full responsibility to pay all tuition, fees and other associated costs assessed as a result of my registration and/or receipt of services. If I’m not planning to attend, it is my responsibility to drop my classes as BC3 will not automatically cancel my registration. I further understand and agree that my registration and acceptance of these terms constitutes a promissory note Statement (i.e., a financial obligation in the form of an educational loan as defined by the U.S. Bankruptcy Code at 11 U.S.C. §523(a)(8)) in which BC3 is providing me educational services, deferring some or all of my payment obligation for those services, and I promise to pay for all assessed tuition, fees and other associated costs by the published or assigned due date.
I understand and agree that if I drop or withdraw from some or all of the classes for which I register, I will be responsible for paying all or a portion of tuition and fees in accordance with the published tuition refund schedule. I have read the terms and conditions of the published tuition refund schedule and understand those terms are incorporated herein by reference. I further understand that my failure to attend class or receive a bill does not absolve me of my financial responsibility as described above.
Delinquent Account/Collection
Financial Hold: I understand and agree that if I fail to pay my student account bill or any monies due and owing BC3 by the scheduled due date, BC3 will place a financial hold on my student account, preventing me from registering for future classes, requesting transcripts, or receiving my diploma.
Late Payment Charge: I understand and agree that if I fail to pay my student account bill or any monies due and owing BC3 by the initial term and monthly scheduled due dates, BC3 will assess a $20 late payment fee to my account for each late payment.
Collection Agency Fees: I understand and accept that if I fail to pay my student account bill or any monies due and owing BC3 by the scheduled due date, and fail to make acceptable payment arrangements to bring my account current, BC3 may refer my delinquent account to a collection agency. I further understand that I may be responsible for paying all collection agency fees which may be based on a percentage at a maximum of 30% of my delinquent account, together with all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, necessary for the collection of my delinquent account. Finally, I understand that my delinquent account may be reported to one or more of the national credit bureaus.
Communication
Method of Communication: I understand and agree that BC3 uses academic email as an official method of communication with me, and that therefore I am responsible for reading the e-mails I receive to my BC3 academic email account on a timely basis.
Contact: I authorize BC3 and its agents and contractors to contact me at my current and any future cellular phone number(s), email address(es) or wireless device(s) regarding my delinquent student account(s)/loan(s), any other debt I owe to BC3, or to receive general information from BC3. I authorize BC3 and its agents and contractors to use automated telephone dialing equipment, artificial or pre-recorded voice or text messages, and personal calls and emails, in their efforts to contact me. Furthermore, I understand that I may withdraw my consent to call my cellular phone by submitting my request in writing to the applicable contractor or agent contacting me on behalf of BC3.
Updating Contact Information: I understand and agree that I am responsible for keeping BC3 records up to date with my current physical address, email address, and phone number. Upon leaving BC3 for any reason, it is my responsibility to provide BC3 with updated contact information for purposes of continued communication regarding any amounts that remain due and owing to BC3.
Financial Aid
I understand that my Financial Aid Award is contingent upon my continued enrollment and attendance in each class upon which my financial aid eligibility was calculated. If I drop or withdraw from any class before completion or I fail to attend, I understand that my financial aid eligibility may decrease and some or all of the financial aid awarded to me may be revoked. I agree to repay any revoked aid amounts disbursed to my account that resulted in a credit balance that was refunded to me.
I agree and authorize BC3 to allow Title IV and other financial aid sources I receive to pay any permissible charges assessed to my student account including but not limited to tuition, fees, insurance, bookstore charges, service fees and fines, and any other education related charges, including prior year educational charges up to $200, unless rescinded by contacting the Financial Aid Office.
Method of Billing
I understand that BC3 issues bills via email on a regular basis and I am responsible for reviewing and paying my student account bill by the scheduled due date. I further understand that failure to receive my bill does not constitute a valid reason for not paying my bill on time.
Billing Errors
I understand that administrative, clerical or technical billing errors do not absolve me of my financial responsibility to pay the correct amount of tuition, fees and other associated financial obligations assessed as a result of my registration at BC3.
Returned Payments/Failed Payment Statements
If a payment made to my student account is returned by the bank for any reason, I agree to repay the original amount of the payment plus a returned payment fee of $20. I understand that multiple returned payments and/or failure to comply with the terms of any payment plan or Statement I sign with BC3 may result in suspension of my eligibility to register for future classes at BC3 and certified funds may be required for future payments.
Withdrawal
If I decide to completely withdraw from BC3, I will follow the instructions provided at http://www.bc3.edu/paying/financial-aid/policies/withdrawal-policies.html which I understand and agree are incorporated herein by reference.
Privacy Rights & Responsibilities
I understand that BC3 is bound by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) which prohibits BC3 from releasing any information from my education record without my written permission. Therefore, I understand that if I want BC3 to share information from my education record with someone else, I must provide written permission by following the procedure outlined at: http://www.bc3.edu/directory/human-resources/pdf/student-information-release-authorization.pdf. I further understand that I may revoke my permission at any time as instructed in the same procedure.
IRS Form 1098-T
I agree to provide my Social Security number (SSN) or taxpayer identification number (TIN) to BC3 upon request as required by Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations for Form 1098-T reporting purposes. If I fail to provide my SSN or TIN to BC3, I agree to pay any and all IRS fines assessed as a result of my missing SSN/TIN. I consent to receive my annual IRS Form 1098-T, Tuition Statement, electronically from BC3. I understand that I can withdraw this consent and request a paper copy at any time.
Student Age
I understand and agree that if I am younger than the applicable age of majority when I execute this Statement that the educational services provided by BC3 are a necessity, and I am contractually obligated pursuant to the “doctrine of necessaries.”
Entire Statement
This Statement supersedes all prior understandings, representations, negotiations and correspondence between the student and BC3, constitutes the entire Statement between the parties with respect to the matters described, and shall not be modified or affected by any course of dealing or course of performance. This Statement may be modified by BC3 at any time.
Financing Your College Education
The purpose of the Financial Aid Program at Butler County Community College is to make financial aid available to students who, without aid, would not be able to further their post-secondary education.
Financial aid is normally granted on the basis of demonstrated financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The ability of each family to finance an education varies. Factors such as income, assets, liabilities, size of family, and age of the older parent or principal wage-earner are reviewed. In addition, other family members in college and students’ income and assets are all considered in determining the need for funds.
Financial aid may be awarded in the form of grants, scholarships, low-interest loans, part-time employment, or a combination of these. Financial aid awards are generally granted for a period of one academic year. Continuation of the award requires a yearly review of the applicant’s academic progress and need based on a new FAFSA.
When awarding financial aid, the Financial Aid Office will use the following to determine a student’s status:
Freshman (Grade Level 1) - 0-29 credits
Sophomore (Grade Level 2) - 30+ credits
The College Financial Aid Office is located in the Student Success Center and is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The College participates in the Federal Title IV Programs (Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG Grant, Federal Work Study, and the Federal Direct Loan Program), and the PHEAA (Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency) State Grant Program. Additionally, the College operates a scholarship program and works with third party agencies in awarding funds. It is always wise to apply for grants even if uncertain about qualifying.
Butler County Community College awards all students financial aid without regard to sex, age, race, color, national origin, or handicap as required by Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
SAP is reviewed each term for associate degree and certificate program students receiving federal financial aid. A student must pass 67% of all attempted credits and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA 2.00. Students must also complete their program within 150% of maximum time frame to receive federal financial aid. Please see the website for details and requirements with the SAP policy.
Note: All periods of enrollment at BC3 will be considered when reviewing progress, including semesters when the student did not receive financial aid. Grades of “F” and “I” count as attempted for GPA review. Preparatory classes are not included in the GPA.
Students failing to satisfy either of the above standards will have their federal financial aid terminated until such time as they satisfy all progress requirements.
Scholarship Programs
Scholarships are academic awards for students meeting specific criteria. The BC3 Education Foundation, Inc., a 501(C)(3) charitable organization responsible for fundraising for the College, awards more than $200,000 annually to eligible new and returning students. The scholarship application will be posted on the college website on April 15th and must be submitted by July 1st. Additional scholarship information is available in the BC3 Education Foundation, Inc. Office.
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