Tuition and Fees
Every possible effort is made by Bishop State Community College to avoid increases in the cost of each student’s education, but the College reserves the right to change, modify, or alter fees, charges, expenses, and costs of any kind without notice as approved by the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees.
General Policies
Students who register during the early registration period must pay tuition and fees by a designated date in order to retain their registration. Students who register during the regular or late registration period must pay tuition and fees in full at the time of registration in order to have their names placed on class rolls and to attend classes. Payment may be in cash, credit card, grants, scholarships, or their combination. Sponsored students, i.e., Vocational Rehabilitation Service, Alabama Veterans Affairs, WIOA, etc., must have written authorization from the appropriate agency to complete registration.
Students who fail to pay tuition and fees by the deadline, as published on the student schedule, are not registered and should not attend class.
Bishop State Community College reserves the right to revise fees, price schedules and terms of payment, and other financial elements listed in this catalog at any time without notice. Tuition is waived for up to four (4) credit hours, per semester, of in-state tuition for Alabamians age 60+ through the Senior Adult Scholarship Program. Enrollees must concur with program guidelines in course selection. Fees must be paid by the senior adult student. Please see Financial Aid office for guidelines and restrictions.
Tuition and Fee Schedule for traditional courses 2019-2020 School Year*
*In-state tuition is $131.00 per semester hour and out-of-state tuition is $262.00 per semester hour; facility fee is $9.00 per semester hour, technology fee is $9.00 per semester hour; special building fee is $10.00 per semester hour and bond surety fee is $1.00 per semester hour.
| Credit Hours |
Alabama Residents Tuition |
Non-Alabama Residents Tuition |
Bond Surety Fee |
Technology Fee |
Facility Renewal Fee |
Special Building Fee |
Alabama Resident Total Tuition and Fees |
Non-Alabama Resident Total Tuition and Fees |
| 1 |
$131.00 |
$262.00 |
$1.00 |
$9.00 |
$9.00 |
$10.00 |
$160.00 |
$291.00 |
| 2 |
$262.00 |
$524.00 |
$2.00 |
$18.00 |
$18.00 |
$20.00 |
$320.00 |
$582.00 |
| 3 |
$393.00 |
$786.00 |
$3.00 |
$27.00 |
$27.00 |
$30.00 |
$480.00 |
$873.00 |
| 4 |
$524.00 |
$1,048.00 |
$4.00 |
$36.00 |
$36.00 |
$40.00 |
$640.00 |
$1,196.00 |
| 5 |
$655.00 |
$1,310.00 |
$5.00 |
$45.00 |
$45.00 |
$50.00 |
$800.00 |
$1,455.00 |
| 6 |
$786.00 |
$1,572.00 |
$6.00 |
$54.00 |
$54.00 |
$60.00 |
$960.00 |
$1,746.00 |
| 7 |
$917.00 |
$1,834.00 |
$7.00 |
$63.00 |
$63.00 |
$70.00 |
$1,120.00 |
$2,037.00 |
| 8 |
$1,048.00 |
$2,096.00 |
$8.00 |
$72.00 |
$72.00 |
$80.00 |
$1,280.00 |
$2,328.00 |
| 9 |
$1,179.00 |
$2,358.00 |
$9.00 |
$81.00 |
$81.00 |
$90.00 |
$1,440.00 |
$2,619.00 |
| 10 |
$1,310.00 |
$2,620.00 |
$10.00 |
$90.00 |
$90.00 |
$100.00 |
$1,600.00 |
$2,910.00 |
| 11 |
$1,441.00 |
$2,882.00 |
$11.00 |
$99.00 |
$99.00 |
$110.00 |
$1,760.00 |
$3,201.00 |
| 12 |
$1,572.00 |
$3,144.00 |
$12.00 |
$108.00 |
$108.00 |
$120.00 |
$1,920.00 |
$3,492.00 |
| 13 |
$1,703.00 |
$3,406.00 |
$13.00 |
$117.00 |
$117.00 |
$130.00 |
$2,080.00 |
$3,783.00 |
| 14 |
$1,834.00 |
$3,668.00 |
$14.00 |
$126.00 |
$126.00 |
$140.00 |
$2,240.00 |
$4,074.00 |
| 15 |
$1,965.00 |
$3,930.00 |
$15.00 |
$135.00 |
$135.00 |
$150.00 |
$2,400.00 |
$4,365.00 |
| 16 |
$2,096.00 |
$4,192.00 |
$16.00 |
$144.00 |
$144.00 |
$160.00 |
$2,560.00 |
$4,656.00 |
| 17 |
$2,227.00 |
$4,454.00 |
$17.00 |
$153.00 |
$153.00 |
$170.00 |
$2,720.00 |
$4,947.00 |
| 18 |
$2,358.00 |
$4,716.00 |
$18.00 |
$162.00 |
$162.00 |
$180.00 |
$2,880.00 |
$5,238.00 |
| 19 |
$2,489.00 |
$4,978.00 |
$19.00 |
$171.00 |
$171.00 |
$190.00 |
$3,040.00 |
$5,529.00 |
| 20 |
$2,620.00 |
$5,240.00 |
$20.00 |
$180.00 |
$180.00 |
$200.00 |
$3,200.00 |
$5,820.00 |
| 21 |
$2,751.00 |
$5,502.00 |
$21.00 |
$189.00 |
$189.00 |
$210.00 |
$3,360.00 |
$6,111.00 |
| 22 |
$2,882.00 |
$5,764.00 |
$22.00 |
$198.00 |
$198.00 |
$220.00 |
$3,520.00 |
$6,402.00 |
Tuition and Fee Schedule for traditional courses 2020-2021 School Year*
*In-state tuition is $133.00 per semester hour and out-of-state tuition is $266.00 per semester hour; facility fee is $9.00 per semester hour, technology fee is $9.00 per semester hour; special building fee is $10.00 per semester hour and bond surety fee is $1.00 per semester hour.
| Credit Hours |
Alabama Residents Tuition |
Non-Alabama Residents Tuition |
Bond Surety Fee |
Technology Fee |
Facility Renewal Fee |
Special Building Fee |
Alabama Resident Total Tuition and Fees |
Non-Alabama Resident Total Tuition and Fees |
| 1 |
$133.00 |
$266.00 |
$1.00 |
$9.00 |
$9.00 |
$10.00 |
$162.00 |
$295.00 |
| 2 |
$266.00 |
$532.00 |
$2.00 |
$18.00 |
$18.00 |
$20.00 |
$324.00 |
$590.00 |
| 3 |
$399.00 |
$798.00 |
$3.00 |
$27.00 |
$27.00 |
$30.00 |
$486.00 |
$885.00 |
| 4 |
$532.00 |
$1,064.00 |
$4.00 |
$36.00 |
$36.00 |
$40.00 |
$648.00 |
$1,180.00 |
| 5 |
$665.00 |
$1,330.00 |
$5.00 |
$45.00 |
$45.00 |
$50.00 |
$810.00 |
$1,475.00 |
| 6 |
$798.00 |
$1,596.00 |
$6.00 |
$54.00 |
$54.00 |
$60.00 |
$972.00 |
$1,770.00 |
| 7 |
$931.00 |
$1,862.00 |
$7.00 |
$63.00 |
$63.00 |
$70.00 |
$1,134.00 |
$2,065.00 |
| 8 |
$1,064.00 |
$2,128.00 |
$8.00 |
$72.00 |
$72.00 |
$80.00 |
$1,296.00 |
$2,360.00 |
| 9 |
$1,197.00 |
$2,394.00 |
$9.00 |
$81.00 |
$81.00 |
$90.00 |
$1,458.00 |
$2,655.00 |
| 10 |
$1,330.00 |
$2,660.00 |
$10.00 |
$90.00 |
$90.00 |
$100.00 |
$1,620.00 |
$2,950.00 |
| 11 |
$1,463.00 |
$2,926.00 |
$11.00 |
$99.00 |
$99.00 |
$110.00 |
$1,782.00 |
$3,245.00 |
| 12 |
$1,596.00 |
$3,192.00 |
$12.00 |
$108.00 |
$108.00 |
$120.00 |
$1,944.00 |
$3,540.00 |
| 13 |
$1,729.00 |
$3,458.00 |
$13.00 |
$117.00 |
$117.00 |
$130.00 |
$2,106.00 |
$3,835.00 |
| 14 |
$1,862.00 |
$3,724.00 |
$14.00 |
$126.00 |
$126.00 |
$140.00 |
$2,268.00 |
$4,130.00 |
| 15 |
$1,995.00 |
$3,990.00 |
$15.00 |
$135.00 |
$135.00 |
$150.00 |
$2,430.00 |
$4,425.00 |
| 16 |
$2,128.00 |
$4,256.00 |
$16.00 |
$144.00 |
$144.00 |
$160.00 |
$2,592.00 |
$4,720.00 |
| 17 |
$2,261.00 |
$4,522.00 |
$17.00 |
$153.00 |
$153.00 |
$170.00 |
$2,754.00 |
$5,015.00 |
| 18 |
$2,394.00 |
$4,788.00 |
$18.00 |
$162.00 |
$162.00 |
$180.00 |
$2,916.00 |
$5,310.00 |
| 19 |
$2,527.00 |
$5,054.00 |
$19.00 |
$171.00 |
$171.00 |
$190.00 |
$3,078.00 |
$5,605.00 |
| 20 |
$2,660.00 |
$5,320.00 |
$20.00 |
$180.00 |
$180.00 |
$200.00 |
$3,240.00 |
$5,900.00 |
| 21 |
$2,793.00 |
$5,586.00 |
$21.00 |
$189.00 |
$189.00 |
$210.00 |
$3,402.00 |
$6,195.00 |
| 22 |
$2,926.00 |
$5,852.00 |
$22.00 |
$198.00 |
$198.00 |
$220.00 |
$3,564.00 |
$6,490.00 |
Payment of Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees may be paid by DEBIT CARD, CASH, MONEY ORDER, CASHIER’S CHECK, VISA, MASTERCARD, DISCOVER, and AMERICAN EXPRESS. Tuition for Online and Hybrid courses follows the same fee schedule above.
ALL TUITION AND FEES MUST BE PAID IN FULL PRIOR TO THE FIRST DAY OF REGULAR REGISTRATION OF AT THE TIME OF REGISTERING FOR CLASSES THERE AFTER.
Schedules with unpaid balances will be deleted prior to the first day of Regular Registration. All tuition and fees are due at the time credit hours are added. Schedules will be deleted if added charges are not paid in full at the time of drop/add registration.
Tuition for Non-residents of Alabama
Students who are not residents of Alabama and/or who are not citizens of the United States shall pay 2.0 times the normal in-state tuition rate. The in-state tuition rate shall be extended to students who reside outside of Alabama in a state and county within fifty (50) miles of a campus of an Alabama College System institution provided the campus has been in existence and operation since October 1, 2008. The in-state tuition rate shall be extended to students who have graduated from Alabama high schools or who have obtained a GED in Alabama within two years of the date of their applications for admission in accordance with the requirements set forth in the Code of Alabama. Please note that the designations are by campus and not by institutions. Approved Mississippi Counties: George, Greene, Harrison, Jackson, Perry, and Stone. Approved Florida Counties: Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Walton. As of March 2020 Okaloosa County FL and Walton County FL are no longer eligible for in-state tution rates. Please see the Admissions Office for residency requirements.
Tuition for Veterans
Choice Act Section 702
The Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 (the “Choice Act”) was passed by the United States Congress and signed into law by the President of the United States in 2014. The Choice Act “requires the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to disapprove programs of education for payment of benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill® and Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty at public institutions of higher learning if the institutions charge qualifying veterans and dependents tuition and fees in excess of the rate for resident students for terms beginning after July 1, 2015.”
For the purpose of the Choice Act, a covered individual is one of the following:
- A veteran receiving Montgomery and Post-9/11 GI Bill® educational assistance and enrolling within three (3) years of discharge after serving ninety days or more on active duty
- An individual using transferred entitlement within three (3) years of discharge after serving ninety (90) days or more on active duty
- A surviving spouse or child under the Fry Scholarship who enrolls within three (3) years of an active duty service member’s death in the line of duty after serving ninety (90) days or more
- An individual remaining continuously enrolled after meeting initial requirements and using Chapter 30 or 33
“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.
Financial Regulations
Students are required to pay tuition fees upon registration for each semester. Tuition and fees for students who have established Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), or Alabama Student Assistance Program (ASAP) eligibility will be charged to their accounts. Exceptions will be made for those students who establish eligibility for participation in Tuition Assistance, Alabama National Guard Educational Assistance Program (ANGEAP), Veterans’ Affairs, and Vocational Rehabilitation Services. In addition, students who are sponsored by agencies (Masonic organizations, sororities, fraternities, etc.) will be permitted to enroll without payment pending billing agencies for required fees. All students not paying tuition and fees at the time of registration must present written authorization from the sponsoring agency to the Business Office and to the Veterans’ Affairs Counseor in the Office of Financial Aid in order to complete financial registration.
Students must clear all financial obligations with the College prior to the end of each semester of enrollment. Students will not be allowed to complete registration or attend classes until financial obligations of the previous semester are satisfactorily met, including, but not limited to, parking and library fines.
A student has not finalized enrollment until he or she has completed all requirements of registration and paid all tuition and fees.
How to Officially Withdraw from Class
- Withdrawals from a Course
Once a student enrolls in a regular or online course, failure to attend or login would constitute a no show; however, it is the student’s responsibility to officially withdraw. Following the official Drop/Add period, a student who wishes to withdraw from a course may do so by following these steps:
- A student may withdraw from a course online through the Drop/Add period by logging on to their BORIS account however, if enrolled in only one course, the student must report to the Office of Admissions and Records or complete the online eWithdrawal form.
- A student may withdraw from a course after the Drop/Add period, by filling out the paper Withdrawal Form or by completing the eWithdrawal within the designated time frame for withdrawal from a class. Students must complete the form and SUBMIT it in order for the withdrawal to be processed.
- To withdraw from a class obtain the Withdrawal Form from the Office of Admissions and Records or complete the online eWithdrawal by going to https://www.bishop.edu/ewithdrawal.
- Paper Withdrawal Forms should be filled out and returned to the Office of Admissions and Records, eWithdrawals will be processed once they are submitted from the Bishop State website.
- Withdrawals from the College
Upon entering Bishop State Community College, the student assumes the responsibility of completing the academic program in which he or she is registered. Once a student enrolls, failure to attend the class or login would constitute a no show; however, it is the student’s responsibility to officially withdraw from the College by these steps:
- Students should report to the Academic Advising and Counseling Center located on the second floor of the Oliver H. Delchamps, Jr. Student Life Complex to fill out a Complete Voluntary Withdrawal Form. Students will be counseled before their withdrawal is processed.
- Students may also submit withdrawal forms to thier home campus or fill out an electronic withdrawal form by clicking on the following link, https://www.bishop.edu/ewithdrawal. Withdrawal forms submitted at another campus or electronically will be sent to the Academic Advising and Counseling Center before they are processed. An adviser from the center will make a reasonable effort to contact the student within 3 business days of the withdrawal’s submission to counsel the student. The adviser will process the withdrawal form automatically if the student cannot be reached during the 3 day period.
- It is the responsiblity of the student to initiate the withdrawal and submission process. Instructors and counselors cannot request that you be withdrawn from the College on your behalf.
Unofficial Withdrawal Policy
Federal regulations (34 CFR 668.22 (c)(2)(ii)) requires the College to perform a Return of Title IV (R2T4) calculation for students who enroll at the College, received federal funds, and subsequently and completely withdraws from the College before completing at least 60% of the term. To officially and completely withdraw from the College, the student must follow the official withdrawal policy as published in the class schedule, College Catalog or web publication. To unofficially withdraw is to completely withdraw from the College without following the published withdrawal policy.
Even though students are awarded and have federal funds disbursed to them at the beginning of the term, students are required to “earn” the federal funds disbursed to them by attending classes up to the point of where at least 60% of the term has expired. After the 60% point of the term, a student has “earned” 100% of the federal funds received, and will not owe any funds back to the federal program from which funds were disbursed.
The College is a non-attendance taking institution; however, the College requires that the instructors at the College electronically verify attendance at the end of the census date. The electronic attendance verification report is retrieved by the Admission Office personnel, and all the students shown as No Shows (students who enrolled in courses for which they never started attending), are automatically withdrawn from such courses, and all the federal funds received by the student are voided and returned.
For the official and complete withdrawal from the College, the date the withdrawal process was initiated by the student, either by completing the official withdrawal form, or by sending an e-mail to the Admissions Office, is the date the Business Office will use to perform the R2T4 calculations. That date will also be used in determining if the student has “earned” 100% of the federal funds disbursed to the student. The student will also be assigned a grade of “W” for the withdrawn courses.
Any student who has stopped attending at least 5 consecutive instructional days or 2 consecutive instructional days for a one day a week class prior to the 60% point of the academic term will be deemed to have unofficially withdrawn from such course(s), and the student will be withdrawn from such course(s) by the Admissions Office. For mini term courses, students who stop attending 3 or more consecutive instructional days prior to the 60% point of the academic term will be marked as no longer attending and withdrawn. Exception: Truck driving students who stopped attending 5 or more consecutive instructional days prior to the 60% point will also be marked as no longer attending and withdrawn. The student will be assigned a grade of “W” for the withdrawn course(s). The last date of attendance, (LDA) entered by instructor(s) will be used for performing the R2T4 calculations. Please see Admissions Office to officially withdraw from courses.
Policy revised July 16, 2015 and effective fall semester 2015
Financial Aid
The Financial Aid Office at Bishop State Community College is a service-oriented office with personnel whose main responsibility is to assist students in seeking and obtaining the funding needed to pursue their educational objectives.
It is the official policy of the Alabama Community College System and Bishop State Community College that no persons shall, on the basis of race, color, disability, sex, religion, creed, national origin, or age, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program, activity, financial aid, or employment.
The Financial Aid Office staff is available to assist students during the following office hours: Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Friday 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Student Rights
Students have the right to obtain the following information from the College:
- Names of its accrediting or licensing organizations
- Information about programs, instructional, laboratory and other physical facilities, faculty and the cost of attendance
- All policies, including the Financial Aid/Veterans Affairs Office’s policy on refunds to students who withdraw from the college
- Types of financial assistance available, including information on all federal, state, local, private, and institutional financial aid programs
- Procedures and deadlines for submitting applications for each available financial aid program
- Criteria used to select financial aid recipients
- Process used to determine student financial need: how costs for tuition and fees, room and board, travel, books and supplies and personal and miscellaneous expenses are considered in the cost of education, it also includes how resources (such as parental contribution, other financial aid, assets, etc.) are considered in calculating student need and amount of student financial need, as determined by the institution
- Procedure for paying students
- Type and amount of assistance in a student financial aid package and an explanation of each award
- How much of the financial aid award is grant aid
- Kind of job and the hours to be worked, the duties, the rate of pay, and the payment schedule and procedure-if students are offered a Federal college work-study job
- Reconsideration of an aid package, if students believe that a mistake has been made or if their enrollment or financial circumstances have changed
- Process and policy used by the College to determine whether students are making satisfactory progress and ensuing actions by the college if they do not
- Special facilities and services available to persons with disabilities.
Student Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of students to do the following:
- Review and consider all information about a college’s program before enrolling
- Complete the application for student financial aid accurately and timely to prevent delays in receiving aid
- Meet all deadlines for applying or reapplying for aid
- Provide all additional documentation, verification, corrections and new information requested by the Financial Aid/VA Office
- Read, understand, and, keep copies of all forms they have signed
- Comply with the provisions of agreements they have signed
- Notify the school of any change in name, address or attendance status
- Satisfactorily perform the work agreed upon in a college work-study job
- Understand the College’s refund policy and the Financial Aid Return to Title IV Refund policy
- Complete a new financial aid application each year
The Financial Aid Application Process
To apply and qualify for federally funded financial aid to attend Bishop State Community College students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online each academic year at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
The academic year at Bishop State begins each fall semester and ends after the summer semester. Students may begin the financial aid application process in October for the following fall semester.
Example: Mary plans to attend Bishop State in Fall Semester 2019. Therefore, Mary can complete and submit her FAFSA after October 1, 2018. However, Mary should not complete the FAFSA until she completes her 2017 federal tax return. If Mary is a dependent student her parent(s) should also complete their federal tax return(s) before Mary completes the FAFSA.
Once the application is signed electronically and submitted by the student it will take approximately 5 to 7 business days for the College to receive the application from the Central Processing Center.
Bishop State Community College participates in the following federal and state financial aid programs:
- The Federal Pell Grant Program
- The Supplemental Opportunity Grant Program
- The Federal Work Study Program
- The Alabama Student Assistant Grant Program
Bishop State Community College does not participate in any federal or private student loan program.
General Financial Aid Eligibility Requirements
The general eligibility requirements for receiving federal student aid are outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 668.32.
To be eligible for federal student aid, a student must
- Have a high school diploma or its equivalent, receive a passing score on an independently administered examination approved by the Education Department, or have been home-schooled and either (1) have a secondary school completion credential for home schools as provided for under state law, or (2) if the state does not require the credential described above, have completed a secondary school education in a home-school setting that qualifies as an exemption from the compulsory attendance requirement under state law
- Be currently enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible program, in an eligible institution, for the purpose of obtaining a certificate or degree
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Have a valid Social Security number (with the exception of students from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau)
- Be making satisfactory academic progress
- Sign certifying statements on the FAFSA such as agreeing to use federal student aid funds only for educational expenses
- Not be in default on a federal student loan or owe an overpayment on an FSA grant
- Have registered with the Selective Service Administration, applicable only to males 18-26
Documents Needed to Complete the FAFSA
- To complete the FAFSA the student and his or her parents (if a dependent student) must use the information from the federal tax return filed two years ago instead of one. For example, the 2015 federal tax return should be used to complete the 2017-2018 FAFSA.
- If the student and/or parents will not file federal taxes because they are not required to by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), then the untaxed income and benefits for the most recent year must be used to complete the FAFSA.
Special Note: The Financial Aid Office has been given the authority by the U.S. Department of Education to ask students and/or parents of dependent students to provide documentation to support any income or other information on the FAFSA. Therefore, please keep copies of all documents used to complete the FAFSA. Answer each question on the FAFSA correctly and honestly because the College is required to resolve any financial discrepancies reported on the FAFSA.
Students are now able to complete their FAFSA application earlier. Beginning with the 2017-2018 FAFSA, students are required to report income information from an earlier tax year. For example, on the 2017-2018 FAFSA, students and parents (if applicable) must report their 2015 income information, rather than the 2016 income information.
Applying for Financial Aid
Please follow these instructions when completing the FAFSA on the web at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
- Students and parents are now required to use an FSA ID, made up of a username and password to access certain U.S. Department of Education websites. Your FSA ID is used to confirm your identity and for electronically signing your FAFSA application. Apply for the FSA ID at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
- Please put Bishop State Community College’s school code on the FAFSA: 001030. This ensures your financial aid application will be sent to the college.
- If additional documentation is required to complete the financial aid application process, the student who is requesting financial aid will be notified by the Financial Aid office of BSCC. All required documents needed to process student’s Financial Aid will be available to view on the student’s BORIS account.
Federal Financial Aid Programs
Pell Grant
The Pell Grant is awarded to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree. Unlike loans, grants do not have to be paid back. Eligibility for the Pell Grant is determined by the U.S. Department of Education.
The U.S. Department of Education uses a formula, established by Congress, to analyze the income data reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine a family’s financial ability to contribute to the student’s education. The formula produces an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) that is used to determine Federal Pell Grant eligibility and the amount of the grant a student is eligible to receive from the college.
A student does not have to be enrolled full time to receive a Federal Pell Grant. However, the amount of Pell Grant a student receives each semester will be prorated based on the number of credit hours that a student is enrolled.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. Only Federal Pell Grant recipients will be considered for the FSEOG. The awarding of the FSEOG will be contingent on the student’s EFC and the availability of funds, but no separate application is required.
Federal Work Study Program (FWS)
The Federal Work Study Program (FWS) is a need-based program that provides jobs, both on and off campus, to students. This program is subject to the availability of funding awarded to the College by the U.S. Department of Education. Because funds are limited, the earlier an eligible student applies, the more likely he or she is to receive an award; job placement is not guaranteed. Students participating in the FWS program are paid monthly for the number of hours worked. Students interested in employment in the FWS Program should apply at the Financial Aid Office.
State Financial Aid Programs
Alabama Student Assistance Program (ASAP)
The Alabama Student Assistance Program (ASAP) provides additional financial assistance to qualified undergraduate students who have been determined to have exceptional need with income below the prescribed maximum levels allowed.
Students must be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible program of study leading to a degree or certificate other than a field of preparation for a religious profession. In addition, students must be legal residents of the State of Alabama and must maintain satisfactory progress according to the College’s Standards of Academic Progress Policy. There is no separate application for the ASAP grant.
Financial Aid Deadlines
To ensure that students have the funding available to pay their fees at registration, a student must have the FAFSA and all required documents on file in the Financial Aid Office by the following “priority” processing deadlines:
Fall Semester - June 1st
Spring Semester - November 1st
Summer Semester - March 15th
If a student fails to meet the “priority” processing, deadline the Financial Aid Office will still make every effort to process the student’s financial aid award. However, the Financial Aid Office does not guarantee that financial aid will be awarded in time to pay the student’s fees at registration. If aid has not yet been awarded, the student is responsible for paying his or her tuition and fees at registration. These charges will be reimbursed after the student’s attendance in classes has been verified and the student is eligible for financial aid.
Institutional Financial Aid Programs
Scholarships
Bishop State Community College provides a variety of achievement, ability, and activity scholarships. Some scholarships are state-sponsored, and other scholarships are funded through the philanthropy of private citizens, organizations, companies, fraternities, sororities, hospitals, and clubs. Following are descriptions of scholarship awards and qualifying criteria:
- Academic Excellence Scholarships are awarded to graduating high school students based on their academic achievements. These scholarships pay tuition and fees during the fall and spring semesters only. Full-time study is required. A minimum 3.25 G.P.A. on a 4.0 scale is required for the initial award and ACT scores will be considered in the awarding process. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for maintaining scholarship eligibility.
- Athletic Scholarships are awarded to students for active participation in Baseball, Men’s Basketball, Softball, and Women’s Basketball. These scholarships pay tuition and fees for up to 18 hours during the fall and spring semesters, and books are provided on a loan basis. Recipients are recommended by the Athletic Department based on demonstrated athletic ability and eligibility based upon NJCAA guidelines. Contact the Athletic Department at (251) 405-7034 for additional information.
- Career Technical Scholarships are awarded to high school students who will pursue a degree or certificate in any of the Technical School Division programs. Full-time study is required. The Career Technical scholarships will cover certificates program up to 1-year. A minimum 2.5 G.P.A. is required and ACT scores will be considered in the awarding process. These scholarships pay tuition and fees during the fall and spring semesters only. Recipients may renew these awards for a second year with a minimum 2.60 cumulative G.P.A.
- Institutional Scholarships are awarded to students in the following leadership categories: Student Government Association and Miss & Mr. Bishop State. These awards are competitive and require an interview or a portfolio evaluation. This full scholarship pays tuition and fees during the fall and spring semesters only. Approval of the activity sponsor is required for continued use of these awards. Contact the Dean of Students office at (251) 405-7087 for additional information.
- Performing Arts Scholarships are awarded to students who excel in performing arts. Awards will be on the basis of audition/portfolio and a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.20. The full/partial scholarships will pay for tuition and fees only. Recipients will be expected to perform while attending Bishop State on scholarship and must register for the appropriate scholarship-related classes each semester. Contact the Preforming Arts Department at (251) 405-7095 for additional information.
- Presidential Scholarships are awarded to graduating high school students based on their academic achievements. These scholarships pay tuition and fees during the fall and spring semesters only. Full-time study is required. A minimum 3.5 cumulative G.P.A. and a 24 ACT composite score are required for the initial award. Recipients may renew these awards for a second year upon maintaining a 3.0 cumulative G.P.A.
- Transfer Scholarships are available to most colleges and universities. In the twelve-month period prior to completing academic coursework at Bishop State, the student should inquire at the intended university or on the university’s web site regarding scholarship opportunities. Scholarship awards are made by the sponsoring institutions; however, a few institutions permit the Bishop State Scholarship Committee to make recommendations to the College’s President regarding the recipients. A student must have a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA and cannot have previously attended the transfer institution. Transfer admission is required. The following institutions traditionally offer scholarships: University of South Alabama, University of Alabama, University of Mobile, Springhill College, Alabama State University, Troy University and Jackson State University. Email scholarships@bishop.edu for additional information.
- Wildcat Ambassador Scholarships are awarded to selected students who are willing to work as a representative of the College. A minimum grade point average of 2.3 and completion the interview process is required. Must participate in college-wide activities and enroll in aa one credit hour course. Contact: Student Development Services (251) 405-7087 or (251) 405-7017.
Scholarship Waivers
- One Free GED Class Waivers provides one free class to students who have successfully passed the GED in the State of Alabama after July 2002. Eligibility is determined by the Alabama Community College System which is the State Office for the GED Testing Program. Contact the Office of Admission for additional information.
- Senior Adult Waivers allows students 60 years of age or older, who have met admissions requirements, to receive tuition waivers for college credit courses on a space-available basis only. Space-available basis requires registration during the late registration process. Effective Fall 2015, Senior Adult Scholarships will be limited based on available funds. This scholarship can cover up to four (4) hours per semester of in-state tuition only after all other forms of financial assistance have been exhausted. Contact the Financial Aid Office for additional information.
- Bishop State’s Employee and Dependent Tuition Waiver Program pays for tuition only, not fees. It is designed for all full-time and Salary Schedule H-35 employees of the Alabama Community College System and their dependents as defined under Section II. An application form for the tuition assistance program is available at each institution and should be completed prior to registration for classes. Contact the Financial Aid Office for additional information.
Registration Procedures for Financial Aid
Each semester the College publishes a class schedule which contains registration procedures. These include the process students must follow to have their financial aid properly credited to their account.
Students receiving financial aid will have their financial aid funds credited to their account and must proceed to the Business Office to complete the registration process.
Financial aid recipients who fail to complete the registration process will have their classes purged from the registration system.
Financial Aid Policies and Procedures
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy
(Academic Requirements to Continue Receiving Federal Student Aid)
Students receiving any form of Federal Student Aid and Alabama Student Assistance from Bishop State Community College will be expected to maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) toward their program objective. Failure to achieve the qualitative and quantitative levels required by SAP will result in the termination of the student’s Federal Student Aid. SAP will be checked at the end of each semester or term.
Federal Student Aid consists of:
Alabama Student Assistance consists of:
SAP will be measured according to the following criteria:
- Qualitative and Quantitative Measures. Students must pass a minimum percentage of all courses attempted (quantitative) and must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) as shown below and calculated by the student information system in the Office of Admissions and Records.
| Hours Attempted |
Minimum Required GPA (Qualitative) |
Minimum Required Completion Rate* (Quantitative) |
| 12 - 21 |
1.50 |
67% |
| 22 - 32 |
1.75 |
67% |
| 33 or more |
2.00 |
67% |
| 90 |
Generally Not Eligible |
Generally Not Eligible |
*Completion rate is calculated by dividing the number of hours the student has completed by the total number of hours the student has attempted (including withdrawals and failing grades).
- 150 percent rule. Students must complete the educational program (major/program of study/degree plan) within 150 percent of the published length (according to the Bishop State Community College Catalog). For example, a major or program requiring 60 hours for a degree allows a maximum of 90 attempted hours (60 hours x 150% = 90). Once a student exceeds 150 percent of hours needed to complete the degree, he/she will no longer be eligible for Federal Student Aid.
- Transfer hours from other colleges. A student’s entire academic record will be evaluated to determine eligibility for Federal Student Aid, regardless of whether financial aid was received for all semesters. Official transcripts from all previous colleges must be forwarded to the Office of Admissions and Records and evaluated for transfer credits. All credit hours added to the Bishop State transcript will be included as hours attempted. Repeat hours earned for the same class will only be included once in hours earned and in the GPA calculation. All transfer students, during their first semester of enrollment will be in good financial aid standing. At the end of their first semester, SAP will be evaluated using all attempted and earned credit hours. Transfer students not meeting SAP at the end of their first semester of enrollment will be placed in suspension and may follow the appeal process.
- Exceeding the maximum hours that may be attempted. Students not meeting SAP requirements due to exceeding the maximum hours attempted, generally 90 credit hours, will be placed on financial aid suspension and are no longer eligible for Federal Student Aid. Students not eligible for Federal Student Aid may appeal the financial aid suspension. There is no warning period for maximum timeframe.
- Financial aid warning. Students not meeting SAP due to not passing the percentage of hours attempted or earning the minimum GPA requirements at the end of the semester will be placed on financial aid warning for the next semester. Students on financial aid warning may continue to receive Federal Student Aid for one more semester. If the student does not meet SAP at the end of the next semester of enrollment, the student will be placed on financial aid suspension and is no longer eligible for Federal Student Aid. Students not eligible for Federal Student Aid may appeal the financial aid suspension.
- Break in enrollment. Students who were on financial aid warning previously and experienced a break in enrollment (whether it was one semester or many years) will return on financial aid warning as long as they did not attend other institutions during that break in enrollment at Bishop State Community College. If they attended other institutions, SAP will be calculated as normal once additional transcripts are received.
- Financial aid suspension. Students on financial aid suspension are no longer eligible for Federal Student Aid. The student may pay out-of-pocket and attempt to regain compliance with the SAP requirements, or the student may appeal the suspension if there were any extenuating or special circumstances that prevented them from meeting the SAP requirements.
- Financial aid probation. Students on financial aid suspension and who have an approved appeal will be placed on financial aid probation and will be eligible for Federal Student Aid for one semester. At the end of the semester, the student must be meeting SAP requirements or successfully following an academic plan, generally the student’s degree/academic plan. Students following an academic plan must pass all work attempted with a 2.0 GPA or higher each semester. Repeat courses do not count unless the student needs a higher grade to graduate or transfer. Students who fail to meet the conditions of their appeal will be returned to financial aid suspension. These students may be required to regain eligibility without an appeal.
- Pace of progression. This chart demonstrates the pace of progression a student must maintain to ensure completion within the maximum timeframe.
| Hours Attempted |
Completion Rate |
Hours Passed |
Minimum Cumulative GPA |
| 15 |
50% |
8 |
1.50 |
| 30 |
50% |
15 |
1.50 |
| 45 |
67% |
30 |
2.0 |
| 60 |
67% |
40 |
2.0 |
| 75 |
67% |
50 |
2.0 |
| 90 |
67% |
60 |
2.0 |
| 91 |
Generally Not Eligible |
Generally Not Eligible |
Generally Not Eligible |
If the program of study requires more than 60 credit hours earned for a degree to be conferred according to the Bishop State Community College Catalog, the maximum number of hours the student may attempt will be the number of hours required by the Bishop State Community College Catalog multiplied by 150 percent. The student still must pass a minimum of 67 percent of all work attempted and maintain a 2.0 minimum cumulative GPA to be eligible for Federal Student Aid.
- Withdrawals. Withdrawals (‘W’ Grade) for classes attempted at Bishop State Community College will count as hours attempted.
- Developmental classes. Developmental studies classes will be treated the same as regular classes.
- Incomplete courses. Grades of incomplete are counted as an ‘F’ until the course is completed and the grade is recorded by the College Registrar.
- Repeat courses. Repeat courses will count as hours attempted but only once in hours earned, if the student passes the course, and only the highest grade on the repeated courses will be included in the GPA calculation.
NOTE: Students who have been academically dismissed or placed on academic suspension and wish to appeal that status should contact the College Registrar in the Office of Admissions and Records for instructions. Completing an appeal of financial aid suspension will not correct the student’s academic standing. Likewise, being readmitted through the College Registrar in the Office of Admissions and Records will not automatically remedy the student’s financial aid suspension.
- Program of Study. Students are expected to take classes within their chosen program of study. Courses outside the published curriculum (excluding pre-requisites) are not eligible for federal student aid; however, such courses will count in future SAP calculations.
NOTE: Since the purpose of federal student aid is degree attainment, progress to degree will be considered in appeal decisions. This means if a student is failing SAP based on their cumulative record yet meets the minimum requirements to graduate based only on the courses in their program of study their appeal may be more likely to be approved. Students still must follow the appeal process.
- Change of Major. Generally, all periods of the student’s enrollment count when judging SAP, even if the student did not receive federal Title IV funds. However, if a student changes their major, credits attempted and grades earned that do not count toward the new major will not be included in the SAP determination, unless the credits are transfer credits. Students can “reset” SAP utilizing the change of major option a maximum of one time.
- Reinstatement of Financial Aid Eligibility. A student who becomes ineligible for financial aid because he or she does not maintain satisfactory academic progress toward completion of his or her degree may reapply for financial aid when he or she has cleared the deficiency and is again progressing satisfactorily according to the requirements outlined previously. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the financial aid office that satisfactory progress has been regained. A student may also choose to pay for and successfully complete a minimum of six hours of coursework, within their program of study, with a “C” or better. IF the student chooses to take more than six hours of coursework, they MUST successfully complete all hours taken with a “C” or better. During the time that a student is trying to regain eligibility for financial aid, any courses taken and not completed successfully will cause the student to start over with the required hours. If a student is awarded financial aid after the successful completion of six hours and is still not meeting satisfactory academic progress, any classes not completed successfully will cause the students award to be suspended. The courses taken during the probationary period must be required in the chosen program of study. After successful completion of six hours, the student must submit a letter to the Manager of Financial Aid requesting reinstatement of eligibility for financial aid. If the student fails there will be no probationary period in which they can pay for six hours. The student will automatically be suspended and aid will not be granted until the student is once again meeting all areas of SAP.
- How to appeal financial aid suspension. Any student being denied Federal Student Aid due to not meeting SAP requirements may appeal for extenuating or special circumstances such as illness or severe injury of the student, death of close relative of the student or other hardships such as lack of transportation, incarceration, military service or other circumstance determined by the Financial Aid Office as extenuating or special.
Appeals will be considered on their own merit on a case-by-case basis. Appeals may be denied. Students will be notified of appeal decisions through their Bishop State email. Appeals will generally be reviewed within 15 days after receipt. Appeals received after the appeal deadlines for each semester will generally be effective for the subsequent term. The deadlines are included on the appeal form. If an appeal is denied by the Financial Aid Manager, the student can ask for a review by an Appeals Committee. If the appeal is denied by an Appeals Committee, the student can ask for an in-person hearing with the Financial Aid Manager and possibly an Appeals Committee. If the appeal is denied after an in-person hearing, the decision is final and may not be appealed again.
If the student has extenuating circumstances, the student may submit a financial aid appeal with the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal form which is available online at www.bishop.edu/financialaid. Appeal forms can also be picked up in the Financial Aid Office and/or emailed upon request.
The student must explain the reason for failure to maintain SAP and explain what has changed in his/her situation that will allow demonstration of achievement of SAP at the end of the next term(s), if the appeal is approved. Additional documentation such as accident reports, physician’s statements, third-party affidavits, etc. should be attached if applicable. The student must also attach their degree plan to the appeal and may need to meet with his/her adviser or counselor to develop an academic plan.
Appeals and other documentation may be delivered personally, by mail, by email or by fax to the Financial Aid office on any campus.
The current and pending statuses, as well as final result, will be displayed in the BORIS portal. In addition, the decision will be emailed to the student’s Bishop State email address.
Attendance and Enrollment Verification Policy
The number of credit hours for which a student is paid financial aid will be based on the number of credits that he or she is enrolled on the Pell census date. This is the date that attendance is verified after the Drop-Add period. Unless documentation is provided that supports extenuating or mitigating circumstances, such as an institutional error, a class canceled by the instructor, or other factors, a student will not be reinstated in a class or classes after attendance is verified.
Credit Balance Policy
All forms of financial aid, including institutional grants and scholarships, will be credited to a student’s account at the beginning of the semester or when the student becomes eligible if after the semester has begun. After allowable charges have been paid, any remaining credit balance on the student’s account will be issued by check within 14 days of when the credit balance occurred. Credit balance checks are issued by the Business Office.
Authorization of Charges
All Title IV recipients may authorize Bishop State Community College to apply their Federal funds (in excess of tuition and mandatory fees) to any other charges, including minor previous balances, incurred on their student account. These charges cannot be paid without the student’s prior authorization.
All recipients have the right to rescind this authorization at any time by contacting the Business Office. This may affect the amount of the credit balance to be refunded to the student.
Return to Title IV Refund Policy
As part of the Higher Education Act of 1998, Congress passed regulations that dictate how Federal Student Aid (Title IV) funds are handled when a student ‘completely’ withdraws, officially or unofficially, from a college during any given semester. These regulations require that a Return to Title IV (R2T4) Calculation be performed in to determine how much federal aid the student has earned. The calculation of Title IV funds earned by the student has no relationship to the student’s incurred institutional charges or to the College’s institutional refund policy.
Even though students are awarded and have had federal funds disbursed to them at the beginning of the semester, students are required to “earn” the financial aid disbursed to them by attending classes up to the point that at least 60% of the semester has expired. After the 60% point in the payment period or period of enrollment, a student has earned 100% of the Title IV funds he or she received or was scheduled to receive.
When a student completely withdraws, officially or unofficially, from the College before 60% of the semester has expired, the student has failed to “earn” all of the financial aid that he or she received. Therefore, the student may be required to repay a portion of the federal funds he or she received to the appropriate programs.
Students who enroll at Bishop State Community College and decide, for any reason, that they no longer want to be enrolled at the College must officially withdraw from class. Students can obtain the withdrawal form and procedures for withdrawing from the Admissions/Registrar’s Office. Please note: For purposes of Return to Title IV Aid Calculations, the withdrawal date for a student that officially withdraws from all classes is the date the student begins the withdrawal process.
Failure to properly withdraw from classes may result in the student receiving failing grades in all of his or her classes. This may negatively impact the student’s eligibility for financial aid in future semesters.
Return to Title IV Calculation
The Business Office will perform the Return to Title IV (R2T4) calculation. The unearned portion of the student’s Title IV funds will be returned to the federal program from which it was received. The Business Office will let the student know the amount of money, if any, he or she owes to the Dept. of Education or to the school.
Veterans Services
Bishop State Community College’s Veterans Services are under the direction of the Manager of Financial Aid. The services include assistance in communicating with the Veterans Administration on behalf of students who receive VA benefits special problems and in assisting veterans with procedures and certification.
Enrollment at Bishop State does not necessarily assure eligibility for veteran’s educational benefits. In order to be certified by Bishop State, the veteran must meet the following requirements:
Must contact the VA counselor at Bishop State located in the financial aid office to start the certification process.
Must be eligible to receive VA educational benefits;
Have a complete admission folder in the Admission/Registrar’s Office (application, high school transcript, college transcript, etc.);
Must have been a student in good standing at the end of last enrollment period at the school or institution from which the veteran is transferring;
Must have a specific degree plan, and must provide a copy of each semester’s schedule to the VA Coordinator at pre-registration after tuition and fees are paid, or at the beginning of each semester in order to be certified to the VA as attending. Must have all prior college transcripts evaluated for transfer credit to current major.
All veterans benefit recipients must maintain a grade point average in accordance with the outlined policy below for determining satisfactory progress.
| |
Semester Hours Attempted |
Required Overall GPA |
|
| |
12-21 |
1.50 |
|
| |
22-32 |
1.75 |
|
| |
33 or more |
2.00 |
|
Grading Policy
A veteran or eligible person who remains in a class for a period greater than three weeks and drops out must be assigned a grade. This grade must be considered in computing the grade point average for both the subsequent semester and the overall cumulative grade point average. If the Drop/Add period allowed at an institution is less than the three-week period referenced, the lesser period will be used in applying the policy.
A veteran or eligible person may not be certified for a course for which regular college credit is not awarded. This includes audit credit, non-credit, and continuing education units.
Institutional credit for required developmental subjects, such as ENR 098 , ENG 099 , MTH 098 , and MTH 099 , and may be acceptable if such subjects are measured on the same basis as regular college credit courses and are determined by the school to be necessary for students to reach their objectives.
Veterans or eligible persons changing from credit to audit prior to taking the final examination should have their enrollment certification amended effective the day the term began to reflect the actual credit hours for which they can receive credit.
Withdrawal
Veterans or eligible persons must clear all course withdrawals with the VA Coordinator’s Office prior to withdrawal. There will be no penalty if the withdrawal occurs within the College’s regular Drop/Add period. However, if a course withdrawal would reduce the VA student’s course load to less than full-time status, a reduction of VA benefits will be retroactively determined from the beginning of the term. Mitigating circumstances can be submitted in writing to the VA counselor for possible exception to the potential loss of benefits.
Complaint Policy for Students Receiving VA Education Benefits
For students receiving VA education benefits, any complaint against the school should be routed through the VA GI Bill Feedback System by going to the following link: http://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/Feedback.asp. The VA will then follow up through the appropriate channels to investigate the complaint and resolve it satisfactorily.
Other Policies and Procedures
Veterans or eligible persons receiving VA benefits will not be permitted to take a course that is not part of their degree plan. The college will monitor registration schedules to verify that the courses selected are appropriate. The one exception to this rule is if the veteran or eligible person needs less than full time courses to graduate in his/her final semester. Courses outside the degree plan may be taken as long as the required course(s) are taken to graduate.
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