4.18.1 Student Financial Aid

Policy Tracking	Date
Approved
Revised	December 14, 2020
Reviewed

The College provides the opportunity for all students to apply for certain types of financial aid programs. The College administers these programs in accordance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations. Requirements and critical dates for receiving financial aid are outlined on the College’s website. Students in need of financial aid may receive assistance through federal and state programs, local scholarship funds, and the Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation. Funds may be available for veterans through the Veterans Administration.
Initial application for financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) should be made at the time of applying for admission to the College. Processing of the required forms for federal student financial aid may take several weeks. Students need to complete a FAFSA each academic year of enrollment.
The College is required by Federal regulations to verify the application data provided by students in some instances. All financial aid applicants should be prepared to provide the College's Financial Aid Office with I.R.S. tax return transcripts and other financial documents as requested.
In order to be eligible for federal student aid funds, a student must maintain satisfactory progress in his/her course of study. For the purpose of federally-funded financial aid programs, satisfactory academic progress at Blue Ridge Community College has three components:
1. The student must successfully complete at least 67 percent of all credit hours attempted. Courses attempted are those for which a student is registered at the end of the drop/add period. Successful completion means earning a grade of A, B, C, D, or P.
2. Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) or higher at Blue Ridge Community College.
3. Students must complete their program of study in a time frame not to exceed 150 percent of the credit hours required of the program. All credit hours attempted will be counted even if the student changes programs.
Additional information, application forms, and assistance in applying for aid are available from the College's Financial Aid Office. Some possible sources include:
1. Federal Pell Grants: Students attending Blue Ridge Community College may be eligible for Federal Pell Grant assistance. Eligibility is based on financial need as determined by a formula written into law by Congress. Students with exceptional financial need may be eligible for further aid through the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program.
2. North Carolina Community College Grants and Education Lottery Scholarships: State-funded programs administered by College Foundation, Inc., of Raleigh, for the State Education Assistance Authority, to provide assistance to North Carolina residents demonstrating financial need.
3. Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation Scholarships: Scholarship funds are received from individuals, business, industries, and endowments.
4. Local Scholarships: Some local scholarship funds, provided by interested citizens and civic organizations, are available. Requirements for the local scholarships vary. Information on these scholarship funds is available from the College's Financial Aid Office.
5. Emergency Grants and Loans: Emergency grants and loans are available to enable a student to begin or to continue a program of study by alleviating a short-term lack of funds. Preference for emergency loans and grants are generally given to currently enrolled students who have attended the College for at least one semester.
6. Federal Work-Study Program: Blue Ridge Community College participates in the Federal Work-Study Program, which provides on-campus work opportunities for students needing financial assistance to attend school. Work is available for qualified students to assist in the library, faculty offices, shops, building maintenance, and other departments on campus. Students may also be employed off-campus in community service positions. Students working under this program are paid one month in arrears for the work performed.
7. Federal Direct Loans: Loans may be obtained through the federal government at a low interest rate. In some cases, interest may be paid by the federal government during enrollment.
The posting of financial aid scholarships, grants and loans shall be coordinated between the Division of Finance and the Financial Aid Office. The first aid posting of the term is approximately four weeks into the term. Refunds to students go out within two weeks after aid is posted. Postings thereafter typically are done every other week.