A major objective of Blue Ridge Community College is to provide quality education at the lowest possible cost to the student. Tuition and fees paid by students are kept at a minimum and do not represent the total operating expenses of the College. The balance is provided by local, state, and federal tax funds.

Tuition and fees must be paid at the time of registration and include all charges applicable to the semester. There is no tuition charge for N.C. residents 65 years old or older. High school students who are at least 16 years of age or older and enrolled in at least two high school courses are also exempt from paying tuition. However, all students are required to pay the student accident insurance fee, the activity fee, and the technology fee. In certain cases where high school students are enrolled in BRCC courses offered on a high school campus, student accident insurance fee and the activity fee may be waived; however, the technology fee will not be waived.

Residency for Tuition

Under North Carolina law, a person must qualify as a resident for a tuition rate lower than that for non-residents. North Carolina statute 116-143.1 requires that "To qualify as a resident for tuition purposes, a person must have established legal residence (domicile) in North Carolina and maintained that legal residence for at least twelve (12) months immediately prior to his or her classification as a resident for tuition purposes." Substantial inquiry is made on the application for admission to determine initial classification.

Reclassification as residents

Students classified as out-of-state for tuition are responsible for applying to the Dean for Student Services for reclassification to in-state status at the conclusion of the 12-month waiting period. No prior notice will be given. The change in classification, if deemed to be warranted, shall be effective at the beginning of the next academic semester following the date of application for reclassification.

Students who provide false residency information or knowingly withhold residency information shall be deemed to have submitted a fraudulent application. Students making fraudulent application are subject to reclassification and payment of the difference between out-of-state and in-state tuition for the enrolled term(s) intervening between the fraudulent application and its discovery.

Regulations concerning the classification of students by residence are set forth in "A Manual to Assist the Public Higher Education Institutions of North Carolina in the Matter of Student Residence Classification for Tuition Purposes.'' A copy of the manual is available in Student Services for student inspection.

Refund Tuition Policy, Curriculum Students

Title 23 of the N.C. Administrative Code, 2d.0200, states that a 100% refund of tuition shall be made if the student officially withdraws prior to the first day of classes of the semester as noted in the college calendar. Also, a student is eligible for a 100% refund if the class in which the student is registered is canceled. A 75% refund of tuition may be made if the student officially withdraws from the class(es) after the class(es) begins but prior to or on the official 10% point of the semester. Students must contact their instructor or the appropriate Division Director to officially withdraw from a class after the academic semester begins. The student's signature is required on the drop card.

Refunds for official withdrawls from classes beginning later in the semester than the scheduled date in the academic calendar (e.g., telecourse and second session classes) are as follows: 100% if officially withdrawn before the first day the class meets; 75% if withdrawn prior to or on the 10% point of class. Student fees are not refundable. Questions about the College's tuition refund policy should be directed to the Dean for Student Services. Request for refunds will not be considered after the 10% point. Refunds will be made by check following the 10% point of the semester on a date to be determined by the office for Administrative Services.

Withdrawing students with Title IV funding will be subject to both federal policy regarding the possible return of Title IV funds awarded to the student and the Blue Ridge Community College policy regarding the possible return of institutional aid awarded. Furthermore, the amount of refundable (or balance outstanding) institutional charges will be set by school policy.

The Federal Government and the school policy will be similar regarding the amount of student aid that may be retained for related school expenses. Only that amount of the aid that has been earned will be eligible for retention on the student's behalf. Any aid that is not earned must be returned to its source. If there is a student account balance resulting from these adjustments, the student is responsible for payment.

Fulfillment of Financial Obligations

Students are responsible for any and all amounts due on their account. Continuing Education students must pay all required course fees or provide an authorization letter for sponsor payment at the time of registration for the course. Curriculum students must pay all tuition and fees in full, officially enroll in the Deferred Payment Plan (Fall and Spring semesters only), have pending financial aid showing on their account, or provide an authorization letter for sponsor payment by the payment deadlines published for each semester. Curriculum students are considered to have a past due balance if a balance is still due on their account after the published payment deadline or on the last day of academic semester for which the charges are incurred. This balance could have resulted from failure to adhere to the conditions of the Deferred Payment Plan, financial aid was reduced or revoked, or a sponsor declined payment for any reason. Failure to pay any past due balance in full may result in:

Attempts are made during the semester for collection through billing statements that are to be mailed for all outstanding accounts. Past due accounts will have a second notice mailed at the end of the semester. If no collection is made within 30 days of the second notice, a third and final personal letter will be sent. The letter will detail the date, purpose and amount of the debt as well as advise the student of the State policy regarding grades, transcripts and registration for future classes. If the above procedure fails within 30 days the following collection options are available to the college based on the amount past due: