Additional Student Services

Access & Disability Resources

C.A.R.E. Campus Assessment Response & Evaluation

Carl D. Perkins Services

KEYS Program

Pioneer Pantry

Technology Help Desk

Veterans Affairs

Access & Disability Resources

The Office of Access and Disability Resources advocates for the rights of students with disabilities for equal access to educational opportunities and coordinates resources and accommodations for the students connected with our office. If a student with a disability would like to request accommodations they must complete a Self-Disclosure of Disability Form and meet with the Director of Student Access and Success. This Self-Disclosure of Disability Form can be found on the College’s website.

Students with significant physical disabilities, vision impairments, hearing impairments, and/or other disabilities that may involve specific assistive technologies and/or consultation with outside agencies are encouraged to request accommodations as far in advance of their anticipated start date as possible.

After submitting the self-disclosure of disability form students will meet with the Director of Student Access and Success to discuss their request for accommodations and determine eligibility for requested accommodations. During this meeting, the student should be prepared to discuss the identified disability, and how that disability presents barriers to academic access and will learn how to make use of accommodations for which they qualify. Available disability/college-wide resources will also be discussed. For some accommodation requests, official written, third-party documentation of disability will be required to determine eligibility. All information will be treated as confidential.

The Office of Access & Disability Resources is located in the Student Success Center on the main campus. Success Coaches help support the office functions at all other locations. Accommodations and resources are available at all college locations and for non-credit courses.

C.A.R.E. (Campus Assessment Response & Evaluation)

Concerned about someone? The BC3 C.A.R.E. Team works to assist members of the campus community who are potentially distressed, or who are demonstrating concerning behaviors. The CARE Team also evaluates and responds to concerns that members of the community may be in danger of harming themselves or others. If you are concerned about a BC3 student, say something! Report issues using our confidential online form, or contact us by phone at 724-287-8711, Ext. 8394, or by email at CAREteam@bc3.edu. Note: C.A.R.E. is not an emergency service.

Carl D. Perkins Services

The purpose of this Act is to develop the academic knowledge and technical and employability skills of secondary and postsecondary students who enroll in career and technical education programs of study, by- (1) helping to develop challenging academic and technical standards that prepare students for high skill, high wage, or in-demand occupations; (2) promoting the development of services and activities that integrate academic and CTE  instruction, and that link secondary and postsecondary education; (3) increasing flexibility in providing services and activities designed to develop, implement, and improve career and technical education. Attention is also given to students who are enrolled in nontraditional programs for their gender. (Note: Availability of the services provided by the Carl D. Perkins program is contingent upon continued governmental funding.)

KEYS Program

KEYS (Keystone Education Yields Success), a program offered in collaboration with the PA Department of Human Services, is designed to assist TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) and SNAP (Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program) food stamp clients who are enrolled in a community college. KEYS provides financial and academic support services to eligible BC3 students and acts as a liaison to the county assistance offices and other community service agencies.

For information about program services and eligibility requirements, stop into the KEYS office located in the Student Success Center or call the KEYS office at 724-287-8711, ext. 8458. (NOTE: Availability of services is contingent upon continued state grant funding.)

Pioneer Pantry 

BC3 community members who are experiencing any form of food insecurity can utilize the Pioneer Pantry for short or long term food stability needs.  BC3 has been designated as a PA Hunger Free Campus, and is committed to supporting the basic needs of students.  The Pioneer Pantry, located in the Arts & Hospitality building, Room 100 is available throughout the semester on posted distribution dates, and provides additional special distributions near college holidays or breaks.  Grab & Go Food Stations are also located at each BC3 location. 

Some food is provided through the PA Department of Agriculture’s Emergency Food Assistance Program, which requires students meet eligibility requirements, but most food and other resource items are open to all BC3 students, faculty or staff in need, regardless of income or county of residence.  Food and resource items are received through community gifts or are purchased through donations through the BC3 Education Foundation or from grant related funding through the Pittsburgh Food Bank and the PA Department of Education.  Visit bc3.edu/pioneer-pantry for qualifications, distribution and registration information. 

Technology Help Desk

The BC3 Technology Help Desk provides support for faculty and students in the use of the College’s technologies, such as the MyBC3 Portal, MyBC3 Email, Blackboard, and more. You can reach the BC3 Technology Help Desk by dialing ext. 8441 when at any BC3 location, or by submitting a FastForm ticket online. Walk-up assistance is available in the Heaton Family Learning Commons, upper level. Hours may vary. Please visit bc3.edu/services/technology for more information.

Veterans Affairs

Butler County Community College has established a Veterans Affairs Office to provide a wide variety of services and information to veterans and their dependents. The Veterans Affairs Office is run out of the Office of Financial Aid and is located in the Student Success Center. The Financial Aid staff is available to assist eligible persons in applying for veterans’ educational benefits. Veterans should notify the Associate Director of Financial Aid at the time they apply for admission to ensure timely receipt of benefits. The staff is prepared to help veterans in the areas of financial aid, academic advisement, tutoring, and counseling.

Benefits and Transition for Veterans

The Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, section 3679 of title 38, United States Code School Compliance ensures that Butler County Community College will permit any covered individual to attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides to the educational institution a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 31 or 33 (a “certificate of eligibility” can also include a “Statement of Benefits “obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) website, www.va.gov. or a VAF 28-1905 form for chapter 31 authorization purposes) and ending on the earlier of the following dates: 

1. The date on which payment from VA is made to the institution.
2. 90 days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt ofthe certificate of eligibility.

Butler County Community College will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrows additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from VA under chapter 31 or 33.

Butler County Community College does require a covered individual complete, sign, and return the “Enrollment Verification Form” to a School Certifying Official (SCO) each semester in order to authorize the SCO to submit the covered individual’s certification. NOTE: A Covered Individual is any individual who is entitled to educational assistance under chapter31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, or chapter 33, Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.

Priority Registration for Veterans

Act 46 of 2014 requires public institutions of higher education in Pennsylvania to provide veteran students, as defined in the Act, with preference in course scheduling. Non-compliance may be reported to the Pennsylvania Department of Education by submitting the Higher Education Student Complaint form found at www.education.state.pa.us.

A veteran student:

• Has served in the United States Armed Forces, including a reserve component and National Guard
• Was discharged or released from such service under conditions other than dishonorable
• Has been admitted to BC3
• Resides in Pennsylvania while enrolled at the College

Course scheduling preference means that veteran students are able to start registering for courses sooner than students with the same class standing. The course schedule is available on the College’s website (www.BC3.edu) in advance of the start of registration.

An email will be sent to identified veteran students indicating the dates, times and campus locations. Veteran students must bring proof of service.

This policy will also be on the College website, in the online catalog, student handbook and advising materials distributed to students and advisors before registration begins for fall and spring.

“GI Bill ®” is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Academic Progress for Veterans Receiving Educational Benefits

Veterans will be held to the standards regarding academic standing that is listed below. Preparatory and/or developmental coursework will be used to determine academic standing. However, these courses are NOT included in the GPA displayed on the official transcript or grade mailer.

Academic Alert - Veterans will be placed on Academic Alert if their cumulative GPAs fall below 2.0 (provided their semester GPAs do not fall below 1.5). Veterans on Academic Alert will receive a letter with a listing of various campus resources for improving their academic performance. In addition, it is recommended that these Veterans work with their academic advisors to improve their progress toward graduation.

Academic Probation - Veterans will be placed on academic probation for one semester if their cumulative GPAs fall below 2.0 and their semester GPAs below 1.5 (provided the cumulative GPA does not fall below the requirement for enrollment). Veterans on academic probation must obtain a counselor’s signature in order to register and will be limited to a maximum of 13 credits. Any student registered for the upcoming semester that is placed on academic probation for the current semester, must attend a mandatory group advising session. Failure to do so will result in the cancellation of the student’s schedule.

Academic Suspension - Veterans will be placed on academic suspension for a semester if their semester GPAs are below 2.0 and their cumulative GPAs are in one of the following categories:

Academic suspension will prevent the Veteran from registering at the College until the end of the next fall or spring semester. Veterans who are academically suspended may appeal in writing to the Dean of Admissions and College Registrar and the Financial Aid Appeals Committee to continue their studies and receive their education benefits. All appeals are subject to review by the Committee on Readmission. Veterans are eligible for priority registration.