Student Financial Information
Tuition and Fees
Tuition rates are established each year by the State Board for Community Colleges. Payment is due at the time of registration or by specified deadlines. Failure to pay for courses by posted deadlines will result in administrative removal of courses. The current tuition rates, payment deadlines, and refund dates are published on the BRCC website. The College no longer issues tuition bills. Students are responsible for financial obligations posted in SIS.
Registration is not complete until payment for all tuition and fees has been received. Payment can be made by cash, check, or credit card (VISA®, MasterCard®, Discover® or American Express®). There will be a $35.00 charge for all returned checks.
Dishonored checks received from the bank must be made good within ten (10) business days after notification from the Student Financial Services Office. If payment is not received, the student will be administratively withdrawn from classes.
Description of Fees
Comprehensive Student Fee
Students will be charged a per credit hour comprehensive fee each semester. The funds support the Blue Ridge Community College Student Activities program and the maintenance and construction of campus parking facilities. The fee is refunded if the student withdraws from classes within the appropriate refund periods.
Auxiliary Capital Fee
All students will be charged a per credit hour auxiliary capital fee each semester. The funds support the design, construction, and operation of college construction project(s) that are not state-funded. The fee is refundable if the student withdraws from classes within the appropriate refund periods.
Distance Learning Classes
Students who live outside the BRCC service area may choose to take the required proctored assessment(s) at any other college, university, military testing center, or use our remote proctoring service. However, it is the student’s responsibility to pay any fees associated with remote proctoring and proctoring at the chosen site.
Non-Payment of Financial Obligations
When a student fails to satisfy bad checks, library fines, parking tickets, or other financial obligations, the student is not issued transcripts or allowed to register for classes until the obligation is satisfied.
Books, Tools, and Supplies
Students are expected to obtain their own books, tools, supplies, and consumable materials needed for their studies. The estimated cost of these items will average $600.00 per semester for a full-time student.
Indirect Costs
In addition to tuition, fees, books, and supplies, the following are estimated costs based on full-time attendance for one academic year:
- transportation $6,985.00
- room and board off-campus $9,366.00
- miscellaneous $5,894.00
These are only estimates and vary greatly with student needs and lifestyle.
The student financial aid program at Blue Ridge Community College assists students who are eligible for financial aid, and who may not be able to attend BRCC without it. During the 2022-2023 academic year, BRCC awarded over $10.6 million to students seeking financial assistance. Most financial aid awards are based upon financial need (the difference between the amount the student and the student’s family can contribute and the cost of attending BRCC). The Student Aid Index (SAI) is determined by an analysis of the information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Federal SAI will be the same at all colleges, but the aid package will differ based on each college’s availability of funds. BRCC is pleased to offer a variety of types of financial aid, including scholarships, grants, work-study, and loans, as well as installment payment plans for students whose aid does not fully cover tuition.
- General Eligibility
- How and When to Apply
- Types of Available Aid
- Financial Aid Policies
- Financial Aid Program Refund Policy
General Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for financial aid at BRCC, a student must:
- demonstrate financial need, except for some loan and scholarship programs.
- have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) Certificate or complete a high school education in a home-school setting.
- be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program consisting of at least 16 credit hours.
- be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
- have a valid Social Security Number.
- meet satisfactory academic progress standards set by the College.
- certify that federal student aid will be used only for educational purposes.
- certify that you are not in default on a federal student loan and that you do not owe money on a federal student grant.
How and When to Apply
The best time for students to apply for financial aid are the months of October or November preceding the academic year in which students plan to enroll. BRCC’s priority deadline for submission of the financial aid application is March 15. Since many aid programs have limited funding, it is critical that students file as early as possible. Students may apply for financial aid by completing and submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA form may be submitted by completing the on-line form on the Web at https://studentaid.gov
Note: A new financial aid application must be submitted for each academic year of enrollment.
Types of Aid Available
The following list represents the major federal and state financial aid programs at BRCC. Some students may qualify for more than one program depending on need. Please note that state grants are only awarded to qualifying domiciliary residents of Virginia.
Federal Pell Grant is a federal grant entitlement program, which means that the federal government will pay all applicants who meet all program eligibility criteria. Students who have previously earned a baccalaureate degree are not eligible for grant aid. Awards are for both direct and indirect educational expenses. In some cases, an eligible student may receive a Pell Grant if enrolled for less than six credits.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) is a federal grant program that is awarded to students who demonstrate the highest levels of financial need. There are limited SEOG funds and students should meet the March 15 priority application deadline to ensure consideration. Students must be enrolled at least half-time.
Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) is an award from federal funds that enables students to earn money to help meet their educational expenses. A student must have “financial need” to qualify. A work-study award does not guarantee a job, as the placement of a student into a job will be based upon the available jobs and the student’s qualifications to meet the requirements for these available jobs. Work-study employees are usually assigned an average of 12 to 18 hours of work per week and will receive a paycheck every two weeks.
Commonwealth Award (COMA) is a state-funded grant program under which students may receive support up to the average full cost of tuition. To qualify, a student must be a domiciliary resident of Virginia, demonstrate financial need, and be enrolled on at least a half-time basis.
Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP) is a state-funded grant program under which first-time freshmen with financial need can receive up to the average full-time tuition and an allowance for textbooks. In order to be considered, a student must be a:
- first-time freshman or returning VGAP recipient
- dependent
- high school graduate with a high school GPA of at least a 2.5
- Virginia resident
- demonstrate financial need
Recipients must be enrolled as a full-time student to qualify. Recipients must maintain a 2.0 GPA to remain eligible for their VGAP award each semester and must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours each academic year to remain eligible for consideration during the next academic year.
Get Skilled, Get a Job, Get Ahead Grant (G3) is a state funded program that will cover the remaining cost of tuition, fees and books not covered by other federal and state financial aid. To qualify, a student must be a Virginia resident, demonstrate financial need, and be enrolled on at least a half-time basis in a G3 eligible program.
Part-Time Tuition Assistance Program (PTAP) is a state grant program funded by the Virginia Community College System. These grants are based on need and are awarded to eligible students who are enrolled for one to eight credits per semester.
Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Loans provide students with the option to receive low-interest educational loans. Students must be enrolled at least half-time to be considered. Federal Direct Stafford Loans may be either subsidized (the government pays the interest while the student is in school) or unsubsidized (interest accrues while the student is in school). To receive a Federal Direct Subsidized Loan, financial need must be demonstrated. Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans are not based on financial need. Almost all students are eligible for unsubsidized loans. All Direct Stafford loans are deferred until the student graduates or stops attending at least half-time.
Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) enables parents of dependent undergraduate students to borrow funds to supplement their children’s aid packages. Repayment normally begins 60 days from the date of disbursement and can continue over a ten-year period. Students must be enrolled at least half-time.
Financial Aid Program Refund Procedure
All students receiving financial aid may be required to repay all or part of any aid received to the appropriate federal program(s) if they withdraw from all classes.
The amount that the student may be required to return to the program(s) will be determined by the amount disbursed, the amount which could have been disbursed, and the percentage of the enrollment period the student has completed.
If a student withdraws on or before the 60% point in time of the period of enrollment, calculated using calendar days, a portion of the total of financial aid funds awarded a student (excluding federal work-study) must be returned according to the provisions of the Higher Education Amendments of 1998. The calculation of the return of these funds may result in the student owing a balance to the College and/or the federal government.
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 https://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 Administrator at 540-453-2298.
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 2025-2026 scholarship application is June 1st preceding the academic year in which students plan to enroll. The scholarship deadlines will be March 29, 2025 for Priority Scholarship Deadline and June 1, 2025 for the General Scholarship Deadline.
Tuition for Senior Citizens (credit)
The Code of Virginia (Virginia State Code section 23.1) permits senior citizens to take college-level classes free of charge on a space-available basis after all tuition-paying students have been accommodated.
To be eligible for academic credit as a full- or part-time student, you must:
- enroll on the first day of class if space is available,
- be 60 years of age or older prior to the semester of enrollment,
- have been legally domiciled in Virginia for the last 12 months,
- had a taxable individual income that did not exceed $23,850 for Virginia income tax purposes for the year preceding the semester you wish to enroll, (documentation of taxable income is required),
- be admitted to the College as a student, and
- pay course specific material and lab fees if applicable.
To be eligible to audit up to a maximum of three courses per semester, you must:
- enroll on the first day of class if space is available,
- be 60 years of age or older prior to the semester of enrollment,
- have been legally domiciled in Virginia for the last 12 months,
- be admitted to the College as a student, and
- pay course specific material and lab fees if applicable.
Please note: Consistent with VA Code (23.1-640.D), competitive programs with waiting lists of tuition-paying students, i.e. Nursing and Veterinary Technology, are not eligible for this benefit.
Interested senior citizens should contact the Student Records Office for information and registration materials.
Tuition for Senior Citizens (non-credit)
The Code of Virginia (Section 23.1) permits senior citizens who meet the qualifying criteria listed below to take up to three non-credit courses per semester without having to pay course tuition on a space-available basis after all tuition-paying students have been accommodated.
To be eligible for non-credit enrollment you must:
- register the first day of class,
- be 60 years of age or older prior to the semester of enrollment,
- have been legally domiciled in Virginia for the last 12 months,
- admitted as a non-credit student, and
- students who receive a tuition waiver under this policy must pay course specific material and lab fees when applicable.
Tuition Free Education for Eligible Children
Section 23-7.1:01 of the Code of Virginia provides free tuition and required fees for eligible children of law-enforcement officers, fire fighters, and members of a rescue squad. Any child between the ages of 16 and 25 whose parent has been killed in the line of duty while employed or serving as a law-enforcement officer, fire fighter, or member of a rescue squad in Virginia is entitled to receive free tuition and fees. Contact Student Financial Services at 540-453-2301.
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 involving the Armed Forces of the United States. For more information and an application, visit the web athttps://www.dvs.virginia.gov/benefits-services/education/virginia-military-survivors-dependents-education-program-vmsdep