Educational Assistance for Veterans and Military-Affiliated Students
Blue Ridge Community College is committed to serving veterans and their families. It is our mission to provide exceptional guidance and support in helping student veterans reach their educational goals and making the transition from military life to college life easier. We accomplish this by offering one-on-one registration assistance, financial aid counseling, referrals to local resources, faculty mentoring and support, and a student veterans club to connect you with other veterans on campus. Review the links below for more information or contact Crystal Smith, VA School Certifying Official by phone at (828) 694-1815, email at cc_smith@blueridge.edu or text to (828) 600-4955.
Applying for and Using Your VA Education Benefit
Blue Ridge wants to make reaching your next summit- college life- a smooth journey. Review the Veterans Checklist for a step-by-step guide on how to apply for and use your VA education benefit.
Approved Programs of Study
Below are listed the programs of study approved for VA education benefits.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
In order to receive veterans’ assistance, a student must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress according to the college policy. Students must maintain at least a 2.0 or higher cumulative GPA. If the student’s GPA drops below a 2.0, then the student will be placed on academic probation.
Change of Status
Benefit recipients must immediately notify the Financial Aid Office of any changes that may affect their pay status. Such changes include changes of program, changes of hours, or changes of address. All necessary forms, instructions and assistance for notifying the Department of Veterans Affairs of changes in your status may be obtained through the Financial Aid Office.
Scholarships for Veterans
Blue Ridge Community College offers scholarships that are specifically for veterans. To apply for one of these scholarships and more through the Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation, please complete a short application at the following link:
Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation Scholarship Application
Tuition Assistance for Active Duty Military
Active duty personnel serving in the Armed Forces may be eligible for Tuition Assistance (“TA”) administered through the U.S. Department of Defense. TA is awarded to a student based on the assumption that the student will attend the entire period for which the assistance is awarded. When a student withdraws, the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of the TA funds originally awarded. To comply with the U.S. Department of Defense policy, the College will return any unearned TA funds on a proportional basis up to sixty percent (60%) of the period for which the funds were provided. Funds will be returned to the military service agency (e.g. army, Navy, etc.), not to the service member. If a service member stops attending due to a military service obligation, the College will work with the affected service member to identify solutions that will not result in a student debt for the returned portion.
TA eligibility will be recalculated for students who withdraw prior to completing sixty percent (60%) of the term. The official last date of attendance, as determined by the College’s attendance records, is used to determine the percentage amount to be returned. Recalculation of eligibility is based on the percentage of TA benefits earned using the following chart:
For 16 week courses, amount to be returned if withdrawal occurs:
- During weeks 1-2: 100% returned
- During weeks 3-4: 75% returned
- During weeks 5-8: 50% returned
- During week 9: 40% returned
- During weeks 10-16: 0% returned
For 8 week courses, amount to be returned if withdrawal occurs:
- Before or during weeks 1-2: 100% returned
- During week 2: 75% returned
- During weeks 3-4: 50% returned
- During week 5: 40% returned
- During weeks 6-8: 0% returned
TA funds will be returned to the military service agency within forty-five (45) days of determination of the withdrawal.
Resources for Veterans and Military-Affiliated Students
- GI Bill Comparison Tool
- VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services
- Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance
- NC Serves – Western
- Veterans Crisis Line
Contact Us
VA Certifying Official
Crystal Smith
VA Certifying Official
Blue Ridge Community College
180 W. Campus Drive
Flat Rock, NC 28731
Phone: (828) 694-1815
Text: (828) 600-4955
Fax: (828) 696-2446
cc_smith@blueridge.edu
Sink Building, Room 128, Henderson County Campus
Contact Information
Regional VA Office
(800) 827-1000
Customer Services Representative
(888) 442-4551 or 888-GIBILL1
Please note that on-hold wait times can sometimes be long.
Veterans Crisis Line
To speak with a crisis responder:
1 (800) 273-8255, Press 1