Blue Ridge Community College 2014-2015 Catalog and Student Handbook
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Institutional Aid Programs BRCC Scholarship Assistance
Scholarship Applications Scholarship applications for the 2014-2015 award year must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office by March 17, 2014. The Office of Student Financial Aid & Scholarships reviews scholarship applications on the basis of a completed Institutional Scholarship Application (incomplete or faxed applications will not be considered), Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) data, specific scholarship criteria, academic achievement, financial need, extracurricular activities, and community involvement. A minimum 2.0 GPA is required to receive and maintain a scholarship award, unless otherwise specified in the scholarship agreement. Blue Ridge Community College reserves the right to adjust scholarship award amounts, as well as to revise the number of scholarships offered each year, without notice. The most current scholarship information may be found at www.brcc.edu/financial_aid. Additional tips for creating competitive scholarship applications can be found at www.brcc.edu/financial_aid/scholarships.htm.
Veterans Educational Benefits Application forms and assistance with veterans’ educational benefits are available in the Admissions and Records Office or at www.brcc.edu/admissions/veterans/. Most programs at the College are approved by the State Department of Education for the payment of veterans’ educational benefits. Students using their benefits for the first time must complete an “Application for Educational Benefits” (22-1990) and provide an original or court certified copy of their discharge papers (DD-214), plus documentation on dependents, if any. Veterans who are new to BRCC but who have used their educational benefits at another school must complete a “Request for Change of Program or Place of Training” (22-1995). In order to receive veterans’ educational benefits, classes must be applicable to the veteran’s program of study as outlined in this catalog and student handbook. The student is responsible for notifying the Admissions and Records Office of any changes in enrollment or curriculum.
Active Duty Service Benefits Active duty personnel may qualify for either VA assistance (contact the Admissions and Records Office) or for the tuition assistance programs of the Armed Forces. For information about the Armed Forces Tuition Assistance program, students should contact their education service officer.
Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program Section 23-7.1 of the Code of Virginia provides for free tuition and fees to attend state-supported institutions of higher education for children of persons deceased, disabled, prisoners of war, or missing in action as a result of any armed conflict after December 6, 1941, involving the Armed Forces of the United States. For more information, contact Admissions and Records at 540-453-2360 or mathiasc@brcc.edu.
Notification of Rights Under FERPA The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. They are: 1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day Blue Ridge Community College receives a request for access. Students should submit to the Dean of Student Services, Vice President, Dean or other appropriate official, written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The College official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the College official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
Admission and Financial Aid Information
The BRCC Educational Foundation, Inc. assists the College in providing academic as well as needbased scholarships. The Foundation is a charitable, non-profit corporation that provides a venue for individuals, organizations, business, and industry to contribute to the College. Active scholarships supported by the Foundation are listed on the web at http://www.brcc.edu/financial_aid/scholarships. You may apply for scholarship assistance by completing the Institutional Scholarship Application. We strongly recommend that you also complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), since many of the scholarships offered are based in part on financial need. A FAFSA may be submitted on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov. For more information call the Scholarship Coordinator at 540-234-9261, ext 2223.