Institutional Aid Programs

BRCC Scholarship Assistance

The BRCC Educational Foundation, Inc., assists the College in providing academic as well as need-based scholarships. The Foundation is a charitable, non-profit corporation that provides a venue for individuals, organizations, business, and industry to contribute to the College. A listing of scholarship assistance supported by the Foundation can be found on the BRCC Scholarship Webpage at http://www.brcc.edu/financial_aid/scholarships/. 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. For more information, call the Scholarship Coordinator at 540-453-2223.

Scholarship Applications

Through the BRCC Opportunity Manager, you can view available scholarships you may be eligible to receive, complete your scholarship application, accept your awards, and more. The Scholarship Opportunity Manager is an online program that provides incoming and current students an easier way to find and apply for donor-funded scholarships. Created by Award Spring, the streamlined application process begins when students access the application at https://brcc.awardspring.com/ (Students must log in with “MYBRCC” username and password). The system will automatically match students with all scholarship funding based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) data, specific scholarship criteria, program of study, academic achievement, 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. The deadline for completing the 2024-2025 scholarship application is May 15^th preceding the academic year in which students plan to enroll. The scholarship deadlines will be March 13, 2024 for Priority Scholarship Deadline and May 15, 2024 for the General Scholarship Deadline.

Veterans Educational Benefits

This institution is approved to offer GI Bill^® educational benefits by the Virginia State Approving Agency.

Application forms and assistance with veterans’ educational benefits are available in the Admissions and Records Office or at https://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 a copy of their Certificate of Eligibility (COE). In addition, an original or court certified copy of their discharge papers (DD-214) may be requested, 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).

To receive veterans’ educational benefits, classes must be applicable to the veteran’s program of study as outlined in this catalog. The student is responsible for notifying the Admissions and Records Office of any changes in enrollment or curriculum.

Additional policy information from the Veterans Administration and the Virginia Department of Veterans Services regarding educational benefits can be found in the Catalog Addendum. 

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, who is available on their respective military branch base.

VA Delayed Payment

In compliance with the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC) ensures the following provisions for veteran students who may be defined as a Covered Individual.

For the purpose of this procedure, BRCC adheres to the Veterans Administration (VA) definition of a Covered individual as any individual who is entitled to educational assistance under Chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, or Chapter 33, Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits. A veteran is entitled to educational assistance at the point where he/she provides proof of eligibility for benefits (Certificate of Eligibility, Statement of Benefits, or Form VAF 28-1905).

BRCC permits any Covered Individual to attend and/or participate in a course of education beginning on the date the individual provides proof of eligibility and ending on or before the following instances occur:

• The date on which payment from the VA is made to the institution;
• 90 days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following receipt of the Certificate of Eligibility.

BRCC will not impose any penalties on a Covered Individual, including but not limited to: late fees, denial of access to classes, libraries, institutional facilities or resources. BRCC will not require that a Covered Individual borrow 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 of funding from the VA under either Chapter 31 or Chapter 33.

*Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC) will not engage in high-pressure recruiting tactics when recruiting Service members. BRCC will recruit Service members through standard Outreach protocols: email, phone or text follow-up to a new application or inquiry by the Service member.  BRCC will not engage in repeated attempts to recruit Service members who have indicated they are no longer interested in attending BRCC.*