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Your Future is even brighter with Free College.

Brighter Future Scholarships

Blue Ridge Community College offers Brighter Future scholarships to all college-eligible students for Fall Semester 2021 and Spring Semester 2022.

Economic growth requires a well-trained and educated workforce. This scholarship offer will provide a way for more of our citizens to train and get jobs in our communities. We want everyone to have a clear and affordable path to a good job that lifts all financial burdens of attending college.

The Brighter Future scholarship will be awarded to all college-eligible students who desire to begin or continue their education, including:

  • Adults with some college
  • Adults with no college
  • Recent high school graduates
  • Full and part-time students (taking at least 6 credit hours)
  • Students who take courses in-person or online
  • Career changers
  • Anyone who wants to start college for the first time, or maybe for the second or third time.

Who is eligible?

A student may receive a Brighter Future scholarship if they meet the following criteria:

  • be enrolled at Blue Ridge as of October 18, 2021, for the 2nd session of Fall Semester 2021, and take a minimum of six credit hours (typically two courses).
  • be enrolled at Blue Ridge as of December 17, 2021, for Spring Semester 2022, and take a minimum of six credit hours (typically two courses).
  • a North Carolina resident for tuition purposes.

Note:

  • DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) will be eligible for the Brighter Future scholarship but should work closely with the Financial Aid office.
  • Assistance may be available for students taking eligible continuing education workforce training courses.

What does it cover?

Tuition, fees, and books.

  • Students who choose to purchase books from a vendor other than the Blue Ridge Community College bookstore, will not be reimbursed the cost of books from the Brighter Futures scholarship. If students wish to have their books expenses covered using the Brighter Futures scholarship, they will need to utilize the bookstore on the Blue Ridge Community College Henderson or Transylvania County campuses.
  • Book charges for the Spring 2022 semester will begin on December 31, 2021, and end on January 28, 2022.

Students with financial need (determined by completion of the FAFSA) may be eligible for additional aid to help pay for expenses such as child care, supplies, and transportation.

Where Do I Begin?

New to Blue Ridge?

If you are new to Blue Ridge, here are the steps to make sure we build a financial aid package for each individual:

  1. Complete residency determination through the North Carolina Residency Determination Service (RDS).
  2. Complete the Application for Admission online. 
  3. Complete the 2021-2022 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), use Blue Ridge code 009684.
  4. Submit the Brighter Futures application for what you will apply for: 
  5. Meet the eligibility requirements listed above.

Enrolled Fall Semester and want to continue Spring Semester 2022?

If you are a current student or have applied within the last year, there is no need to submit a new admission application. You just need to register for your classes (if you have not done so), and complete steps 4 and 5 listed above.

Questions?

If you have any questions, contact us and ask about the Brighter Future scholarship:

Email: admissions@blueridge.edu
Phone: (828) 694-1800
Text: (828) 600-4876

Visit us at one of our campuses:

Henderson County Campus One Stop
130 Eagles Reach Drive
Flat Rock, NC 28731
(828) 694-1700
Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Transylvania County Campus Straus Building
45 Oak Park Dr.
Brevard, NC 28712
(828) 883-2520
Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Important Note: Federal relief funds allocated to the Brighter Future program will be awarded only after applicants apply and register at Blue Ridge and complete a FAFSA. These scholarship funds were made available to Blue Ridge Community College and other colleges by Congress under Section 18004(a)(2) of the Education Stabilization Fund of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act. Some applicants will also qualify for the NC Longleaf Commitment Grant (2021 high school graduates), Foundation scholarships, and other various sources. The Brighter Future Scholarship is a last-dollar program and the Financial Aid staff will evaluate eligibility for federal, state, and local grants prior to awarding a Brighter Future Scholarship.

Brighter Future Scholarships are contingent on available funding.