Policy Statements and Consumer Information

Butte College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), a part of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), a regionally and federally recognized accrediting agency designated by the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges. In addition, many of the programs are separately accredited, licensed, or approved by other accrediting agencies.  

Butte College Accreditation Webpage 

The security of student information is very important to us.

Student Rights Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Students have the right to:

1. Inspect and review their own education records within a reasonable time after the college receives a request for access. Education records include any item of information directly related to an identifiable student maintained by the district or college or required to be maintained by an employee in the performance of the employee's duties, whether that information is recorded by handwriting, print, tapes, files, microfilm, electronically, or by other means. Education records do not include: directory information; information provided by a student's parent related to financial aid or scholarships; information prepared by, and that remains in the sole possession of, the person who created it; certain medical records; and decisions reached as a result of disciplinary hearings. Education records are maintained by the offices that generate or receive those records and the manager of those offices is responsible for the maintenance of those records. The Admissions and Records Office at each college maintains a log of those persons who have been given access to education records as required by FERPA.
2. Request an amendment of their education record if a student believes it is inaccurate or misleading. If a student believes there is an error in their record, they should submit a statement to the college official responsible for the record, clearly identifying the part of the record they want changed and why they believe it is inaccurate or misleading. That office will notify the student of its decision and advise the student of any appropriate appeal rights.
3. Consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. There are several exceptions which permit disclosure without consent, including but not limited to:
   • Disclosure to school officials with "legitimate educational interests." School officials are employees of the district and its colleges, agents with which the district or college has contracted to provide services, the board of trustees, or students serving on a committee or assisting another school official in the performance of their tasks. A legitimate educational interest exists when the school official has a need to know the information in connection with their official duties.
   • "Directory information," which includes a student's name, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, degrees and awards received, and most recent previous public or private school attended by the student. A student has the right to withhold the release of directory information. To do so, the student must complete a form, which is available in the Admissions and Records Office. However, placing a "No Release" on a student's records means that no one, including friends, parents, prospective employers, honor societies, or any other group or individual, will be able to obtain this information.
   • Disclosures to officials of another school, school system, or institution of postsecondary education where the student seeks or intends to enroll, or where the student is already enrolled, so long as the disclosure is for the purpose related to the student's enrollment or transfer.
4. File a complaint with the US Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the district or college to comply with the requirements of FERPA. Further information about student records can be found in the BP 5040 and AP 5040.

1. Go to the IPEDS College Navigator.
2. In the Name of School box, type Butte College.
3. Click on the Butte College link that appears.
4. For gender and race/ethnicity data, click on the Enrollments link to expand the selection.
5. For information about Pell Grant recipients, click on the Financial Aid link to expand the selection.

Upon satisfactory completion of requirements, students may earn an Associate in Arts (AA), an Associate in Science degree (AS), an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT), a Certificate of Achievement, and a Certificate of Completion. Explore our college catalog or academic programs, or contact the Counseling Office.

Our Bookstore provides textbook information (including ISBN, retail price refund policy) for courses listed in the schedule each semester. This information can be accessed through the bookstore's website.

Specific information on course and/or program articulation agreements with the University of California and the California State University systems is available at assist.org. For information on articulation agreements, contact the Transfer Center.

Butte College encourages eligible students to register to vote. Students may register online using the California Online Voter Registration system. Students can also find voter information and pick up a voter registration card at the Office of Student Life.

Information about our faculty and instructional employees is available in our faculty and staff directory.

Butte College supports the Higher Education Opportunity Act and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, including efforts to stop the illegal distribution of copyrighted material. We have developed guidelines to help students, faculty and staff comply with federal copyright laws. See the following resources to learn more:

• AP 3710 Securing of Copyrights and Use of Copyrighted Materials
• AP 3715 Intellectual Property
• AP 3720 Computer and Network Use
• AP 3750 Use of Copyrighted Material

Constitution Day is September 17 each year. To comply with the federal regulation requiring the development of educational programming to celebrate Constitution Day, our political science department organizes a campus-wide event.

Students at Butte College are afforded certain rights and privileges, in addition to the freedom to learn.

Student Conduct and Rights Page

Students must apply for financial aid each academic year to be considered for most federal, state, and institutional aid programs.

To apply:

• Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or
• Submit the California Dream Act Application (CADAA), if eligible

Additional documentation may be required before eligibility can be determined.

Financial aid applications should be submitted as early as possible to maximize consideration for available aid programs.

Visit the Apply for Financial Aid page for application instructions, deadlines, and required forms.

Apply for Financial Aid

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of the educational expenses a student may incur while attending Butte College during an academic year. Financial aid eligibility is determined, in part, using a student's COA.

The COA may include:

• Tuition and enrollment fees
• Housing and food
• Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment
• Transportation
• Personal expenses
• Loan fees, when applicable

The COA is not the amount you will be billed by Butte College. Actual costs will vary based on your enrollment, housing arrangements, program of study, and personal circumstances.

View current Cost of Attendance budgets on the Cost of Attendance page.

COST OF ATTENDANCE

Financial aid funds are generally disbursed throughout the semester based on enrollment, eligibility, and completion of all required financial aid processes.

Before financial aid can be disbursed, students must:

• Be enrolled in eligible coursework
• Meet all financial aid eligibility requirements
• Complete any outstanding requirements or requested documentation

Financial aid is first applied to eligible institutional charges on the student's account. If financial aid exceeds those charges, the remaining balance may be issued to the student as a financial aid refund.

Students who withdraw from classes or cease attendance may have their financial aid eligibility recalculated and may be required to repay a portion of the financial aid received.

Visit the Receiving Your Financial Aid page for additional information about disbursements, refunds, and withdrawals.

Receiving Your Financial Aid

To receive most forms of financial aid, students must meet federal, state, and institutional eligibility requirements.

General eligibility requirements may include:

• Being admitted to an eligible program of study
• Meeting citizenship or eligible noncitizen requirements, when applicable
• Maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
• Not owing an overpayment of federal or state financial aid
• Not being in default on a federal student loan
• Meeting enrollment requirements established by the aid program

Some students may be selected for verification, a federal process that requires additional documentation before financial aid eligibility can be finalized.

Students must be enrolled in an eligible program of study. Financial aid may only be paid for coursework that applies to the student's declared program(s) of study.

At Butte College, students may have up to two active programs of study for financial aid purposes. Students on an approved Maximum Timeframe Appeal are limited to one approved program of study.

Eligibility requirements vary by aid program.

For additional information, visit the Apply for Financial Aid and Types of Aid pages.

APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID

TYPES OF AID

Federal Direct Loans are borrowed funds provided by the U.S. Department of Education to help students pay educational expenses. Unlike grants, scholarships, and fee waivers, loans must be repaid with interest.

Students must meet all applicable federal eligibility requirements before a loan can be originated or disbursed. In general, students must:

• Complete the FAFSA
• Be enrolled in an eligible program of study
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
• Meet minimum enrollment requirements
• Not be in default on a federal student loan
• Not owe a repayment on a federal grant

Federal Direct Loan borrowers may be required to complete:

• Entrance Counseling
• A Master Promissory Note (MPN)
• Exit Counseling when graduating, withdrawing, or dropping below half-time enrollment

Annual and aggregate borrowing limits apply and vary based on dependency status, grade level, enrollment status, and federal regulations.

Students are encouraged to borrow only what is needed to meet educational expenses and to carefully consider their future repayment obligations before accepting a loan.

Additional information about Federal Direct Loan eligibility, borrowing limits, current interest rates, and borrower responsibilities is available on the Types of Aid page and through StudentAid.gov.

Types of Aid

Federal regulations require Butte College to establish, publish, and apply Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards for students receiving financial aid. SAP standards apply to federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs, including grants, loans, and work-study.

To remain eligible for financial aid, students must be enrolled in an eligible education goal and academic program and meet all SAP standards.

SAP is measured using three standards:

• Grade Point Average (GPA): Students must maintain the required cumulative GPA. In general, students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. Students with fewer than 18 cumulative attempted units are required to have a minimum cumulative GPA of 1.75.

• Pace of Completion: Students must successfully complete a required percentage of their attempted units. Pace is calculated by dividing cumulative completed units by cumulative attempted units. Students with 0–17.9 cumulative attempted units must complete at least 50%. Students with 18 or more cumulative attempted units must complete at least 66.66%.

• Maximum Timeframe (MT): Students must complete their program within 150% of the published program length. At Butte College, the general Maximum Timeframe limits are 90 attempted units for an associate degree or transfer objective and 45 attempted units for a Certificate of Achievement.

SAP is reviewed at the end of each semester and summer term, if applicable, after grades are posted and end-of-term processing is completed.

Financial Aid Statuses

Students who meet all SAP standards remain eligible for financial aid.

Students who do not meet SAP standards may be placed in one of the following statuses:

• Warning: Assigned when a student fails to meet SAP for the first time. Students on Warning remain eligible for financial aid for one semester.

• Disqualification: Assigned when a student does not meet SAP requirements after a Warning term or fails to meet the terms of an approved appeal. Students in Disqualification status are not eligible for financial aid unless eligibility is regained or an appeal is approved.

• Probation Approved: Assigned when a student who has been disqualified submits an appeal and the appeal is approved. Students on Probation Approved status must meet the terms of their probation agreement to continue receiving financial aid.

• Maximum Timeframe Status: Students who reach or exceed the Maximum Timeframe limit are not eligible for financial aid unless a Maximum Timeframe Appeal is approved.

Appeals and Reinstatement

Students who lose financial aid eligibility due to SAP or Maximum Timeframe may have the option to submit an appeal.

SAP Appeals are reviewed for documented extenuating circumstances that affected the student’s ability to meet SAP standards. Maximum Timeframe Appeals are reviewed to determine whether additional time is needed for the student to complete their current eligible program of study.

Submitting an appeal does not guarantee approval or reinstatement of financial aid eligibility.

Students are responsible for all educational expenses while an appeal is pending and should be prepared to pay for enrollment fees, books, supplies, and other costs unless financial aid eligibility is reinstated.

Appeal decisions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. If an appeal is approved, financial aid eligibility may be reinstated for the approved term, subject to the conditions of the appeal or probation agreement.

Appeal Review Process

Students whose appeal is denied may request an additional review by the Assistant Director of Financial Aid. If the student believes the outcome remains unjustified, a final review may be requested from the Director of Financial Aid.

The decision of the Director of Financial Aid is final.

For student-friendly information about SAP, Maximum Timeframe, Warning, Disqualification, and appeal options, visit the Keeping Your Financial Aid page.

Keeping Your Financial Aid

Students who apply for and receive financial aid have certain rights and responsibilities under federal and state financial aid regulations.

Students have the right to:

• Know what financial aid programs are available
• Understand the eligibility requirements for financial aid programs
• Receive information about how financial aid eligibility is determined
• Know how and when financial aid is disbursed
• Understand the terms and conditions of financial aid awards

Students are responsible for:

• Providing complete and accurate information on all financial aid applications and forms
• Responding to requests for additional documentation
• Reviewing and understanding the conditions of financial aid awards
• Maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
• Reporting changes that may affect financial aid eligibility

Additional information is available in the Financial Aid Student Handbook.

Financial Aid Student Handbook

Butte College participates in a variety of federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid programs designed to help students meet the cost of attendance.

Financial aid may include:

• Grants
• Fee waivers
• Scholarships
• Federal Work-Study
• Federal Direct Loans
• Veterans educational benefits

Eligibility requirements vary by program and may be based on financial need, enrollment status, residency status, academic progress, or other program-specific criteria.

For detailed information about available aid programs, visit the Types of Aid page.

TYPES OF AID

In compliance with the Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-542), it is the policy of our college district to make available its completion and transfer rates to all current and prospective students. Beginning in Fall 2021, a cohort of all certificate-, degree-, and transfer-seeking first-time, full-time students was tracked over a three-year period. Their completion and transfer rates are listed above. These rates do not represent the success rates of the entire student population at the College, nor do they account for student outcomes occurring after this three-year tracking period.

Butte College regularly reports graduation, transfer, and retention information to the Integrated Post-Secondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Follow these steps to access this information online:

1. Go to the IPEDS College Navigator.
2. In the Name of School box, type Butte College.
3. Click on the Butte College link that appears.
4. Click on the Retention and Graduation Rates link to expand the selection

Explore more Student Outcomes and Success

Graduation and retention rates must be provided to student athletes and their parents, high school coaches, and guidance counselors when athletic-related student aid is offered.

For information on graduation and retention rates or student success programs for student-athletes, please contact the director of the Athletic Department.

As part of the Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act, information on annual participation rates and financing of men’s and women’s sports in intercollegiate athletic programs is available by request.

More information is available on the Department of Education's website at ope.ed.gov/athletics.

Clery Act

The Annual Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Report (Annual Clery Report) is published by the College Police Department and is published on the department's webpage.

Butte College is committed to providing the Campus Community with vital information as quickly as possible. By keeping your contact information up to date,  you will receive email, phone and/or text notifications.

Learn more about Emergency Notifications

Butte College is committed to providing its employees and students with a drug-free workplace and campus environment.

View AP 3550 Drug-Free Environment and Drug Prevention Program

Visit our Drug-Free Campuses Act webpage.

Title IX information is available on our Title IX webpage.

We have procedures in place to address discrimination and harassment complaints, including those related to equity, sexual harassment, Title IX, Section 504, and the ADA.

Find Reporting Information