English 
Spanish
- Admission of Documented Individuals
- Admission of Students with Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Classification
- Admission of Undocumented Individuals
- NC Business Sponsor Exception For In-State Tuition
Admission of Documented Individuals
Students who have Permanent Residency Status do not need a student visa. They may apply and attend Blue Ridge as Curriculum students. As part of the admissions process, students will need to present their permanent residency card.
A student who has applied for Permanent Residency Status, also has no need for a student visa and may apply and attend Blue Ridge Community College as Curriculum students.
Admission of Students with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Classification
The DACA Program is the recent ruling by the Federal Government that gives undocumented persons permission to live and to work in the U.S. and not be deported for a period of two years, even though they are not in the country legally.
Persons under the DACA Program have permission to work in the U.S. and are given Social Security numbers.
Persons under the DACA Program have a card, much like the Permanent Resident Card, however, the card confirms that they are allowed to work and not be deported, only for a period of two years. The card also confirms that persons under DACA have not been given a change in their legal status.
When persons under the DACA Program applying to Blue Ridge, a photocopy of their DACA card will be required.
In North Carolina, persons under the DACA program can study at Blue Ridge, but only under the same conditions as an undocumented person (Admission Of Undocumented Individuals), with the exception that persons under the DACA Program can enroll with other lawfully present students during regular registration periods.
Persons under the DACA Program are not eligible for Federal financial aid.
Persons under the DACA Program cannot receive in-state tuition (see below for possible exception).
- View more information on the DACA classification.
- View more information about the Business Sponsor Exception for DACA student payments: Tuition & Fees FAQs: Does the Business Sponsor Exception apply to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students?
Admission Of Undocumented Individuals
Blue Ridge Community College admits undocumented individuals under the provisions of the NCCCS Administrative Code Item Number: 23 NCAC 02C .0301 – ADMISSION TO COLLEGES. The provisions are as follows:
An undocumented immigrant with a diploma from a United States public high school, private high school, home school, or Adult High School that operates in compliance with state or local law is eligible to be admitted to a community college.
Undocumented immigrants with a high school equivalency diploma are not considered to have “graduated from a United States public high school, private high school, or home school” and therefore are not eligible to be admitted to a community college.
Any undocumented student registered in a class is required to pay the out-of-state tuition rate. This amount can be found on the Tuition and Fees webpage.
A student who is lawfully present in the United States will always have priority for a space or program of study over a student who is an undocumented student. Blue Ridge Community College cannot enroll undocumented students into a class or program of study for which there are waiting lists, nor does the college register undocumented students for classes until the conclusion of the last published registration period.
Federal law prohibits states from granting professional licenses to undocumented immigrants. Therefore, undocumented students cannot be admitted into courses of study where licensure is required for employment, for example, the Associate Degree Nursing curriculum.
NC Business Sponsor Exception For In-State Tuition
(For out-of-state and/or DACA Students)
1. The employer that will be sponsoring the student must provide a current Form W-9.
2. The employer sponsoring the student must provide a letter, on company letterhead, stating that the student they wish to sponsor is indeed an employee of the company and that the company intends to pay in full for the student with a company check. This must be provided each semester.
3. The student must provide their two most recent paystubs from the sponsoring company. This must be provided each semester.
4. Registrar’s Office must have a copy of the student’s EAD (Employment Authorization Document) card with a valid date (applicable to DACA students only).
5. After verification of all the above documents, the employer must provide a company check for payment in full of the student’s tuition and fees for each semester.
NC Non-Profit Sponsor Exception For In-State Tuition
(For out-of-state and/or DACA Students)
1. Non-profit that will be sponsoring the student must provide a current Form W-9.
2. Non-profit sponsoring the student must provide a letter, on letterhead, stating that they wish to sponsor the student. The letter must contain the student’s full name and Blue Ridge Community College student id number, the semester the student is attending, and a statement of intent to pay for the student in full. The non-profit must also provide a copy of their North Carolina non-profit 501(c) tax exemption paperwork. This letter and paperwork must be provided each semester.
3. Registrar’s Office must have a copy of the student’s EAD (Employment Authorization Document) card with a valid date (applicable to DACA students only).
4. After verification of all the above documents, the non-profit must provide a business check for payment in full of the student’s tuition and fees for each semester.
NOTE: Per G.S. 115D-39(C) Any North Carolina nonprofit entity that sponsors a nonresident of the United States under this subsection may sponsor no more than five nonresident students annually under this subsection.
Contact Us
Student Services
(828) 694-1800 or 883-2520
Fax: (828) 696-2446
Henderson County Campus
Sink Building
Transylvania County Campus
Straus Building