Admissions

Admission Requirements

Students seeking admission to Blue Ridge Community and Technical College as degree-seeking students must have graduated from high school or passed the GED or TASC Assessment.  The following items must be submitted to the EM Office:

1. Complete Blue Ridge Community and Technical College Degree Seeking Application
2. $25 Application Fee
3. ACT/SAT/ACCUPLACER/Compass Scores (Accuplacer is given to students without ACT/SAT scores; for cutoff scores to be placed in academic foundation classes, please review the Academic Support Services   section of this catalog.)
4. Official transcripts
   1. High School, GED or TASC scores
   2. Any and all other colleges attended

Admission to Limited Enrollment Programs

The following associate of science degree programs have additional requirements for admission into the program.

1. Board of Governors, A.A.S.  
2. Emergency Medical Services  
3. Medical Laboratory Technician, A.A.S. 
4. Hospital - Nursing  
5. PTA  

Types of Enrollment

First time Freshmen

Students who have never attended a college or university before are classified as freshmen and must:

1. Complete application
   1. Pay the $25 application fee
   2. Provide official high school transcripts, TASC Assessment, or GED scores
2. Complete separate Financial Aid paperwork (FAFSA) if interested in applying for Financial Aid
3. Complete Enrollment Reply Form upon notification of acceptance
4. Sign up for and attend an Orientation/Registration Session (included with acceptance letter)

Readmits

Students who have previously attended Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, have not attended another institution since prior enrollment, and would like to re-enroll are classified as readmitted students and must:

1. Complete application
2. Check BRIDGE to make sure you have no holds from previous attendance on your academic record. Holds or suspensions may prevent you from being admitted again.
3. Complete separate Financial Aid paperwork (FAFSA) if interested in applying for Financial Aid
4. Sign up for and attend an Orientation/Registration Session (included with acceptance letter)

Students who have not been registered for one or two semesters (not including summer), can meet with their academic advisor to obtain their alternate pin number and register for courses without reapplying for admission. (NOTE: This policy does not apply to students who have been suspended, attended another institution while not at BRCTC (see Transfer/Readmit below), or who have not been enrolled for longer than two semesters.)

Transfers

Students who have previously attended any other college (s) or university (ies) are classified as transfer students. Transfer students must:

1. Complete application
   1. Pay the $25 application fee
   2. Provide previous official college transcripts from all institutions attended
   3. Provide official High School, GED or TASC Transcripts, unless you meet both of the following qualifications
      1. It has been 5 years since you graduated or received a GED/TASC Assessment
      2. You have 15 or more college credits from a regionally accredited college(s)
2. Complete separate Financial Aid paperwork (FAFSA) if interested in applying for Financial Aid
3. Sign up for and attend an Orientation/Registration Session (included with acceptance letter)

For an associate’s degree, a student must complete at least 24 credit hours of course work at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College. The last 12 hours of course work for an associate’s degree must be completed at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College. For the Board of Governors, Occupational Development and Technical Studies Associate of Applied Science degrees, a student must complete at least 12 credit hours at a regionally accredited institution and at least 3 credit hours at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College.

Transfer/Readmits

Students who have previously attended Blue Ridge Community and Technical College and then attended any other college(s) or university(ies) during their absence are considered transfer/readmit students. Transfer/Readmits must:

1. Complete application
   1. Pay the $25 application fee
   2. Provide official transcripts from schools attended during absence.
2. Complete separate Financial Aid paperwork (FAFSA) if interested in applying for Financial Aid
3. Sign up for and attend an Orientation/Registration Session (included with acceptance letter)

For an associate’s degree, a student must complete at least 24 credit hours of course work at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College. The last 12 hours of course work for an associate’s degree must be completed at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College. For the Board of Governors, Occupational Development and Technical Studies Associate of Applied Science degrees, a student must complete at least 12 credit hours at a regionally accredited institution and at least 3 credit hours at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College.

Non-Degree Seeking Students

Non-degree students are those who wish to take courses at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College but do not desire to enroll in any specific program or desire a degree.

• Non-degree students are not eligible for Financial Aid.
• Non-degree students are not assigned an advisor.
• Steps to enroll:
  1. Complete the one page non-degree application (available at the Welcome Desk or online at www.blueridgectc.edu)
  2. Submit ACT/SAT/ACCUPLACER/Compass scores or unofficial college transcripts for proper placement in certain courses, such as math, English, or chemistry
  3. Student will receive an email with directions on payment, book(s), and confirmation of registration
  4. Pay the required tuition fee after registration

Note: All of the above paperwork is required for each semester of registration.  Non-degree students do not have an assigned academic advisor and do not have priority registration in Bridge.

High School Students

Students who are currently enrolled in high school and wish to take college level courses at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College are classified as high school students.

• Students must have at least a 2.0 high school GPA
• Students must have ACT/SAT/ACCUPLACER/Compass scores for placement in math or English. For specific score requirements, please refer to the Academic Support Services  section of this catalog.
• The total number of high school and college instructional hours in one semester is not to exceed 19.
• Steps to enroll:
  1. Complete the one-page non-degree application (available at the Welcome Desk or online at www.blueridgectc.edu)
  2. Submit ACT/SAT/ACCUPLACER/Compass scores or unofficial college transcripts for proper placement in certain courses, such as math, English, or chemistry
  3. Submit current transcript of high school courses taken
  4. Submit letter of recommendation from the High School Guidance Counselor or Administrator
  5. Pay the required tuition fee after registration

Note: All of the above paperwork is required for each semester of registration.  Non-degree students do not have an assigned academic advisor and do not have priority registration in Bridge.

College Credit for Military Service

Students who have completed basic training in military service may be granted a maximum of four-semester hours credit, which may be used to satisfy Liberal Arts physical education and/or elective requirements. It is the student’s responsibility to request this credit and to verify this military experience to the registrar. If the student was not in the Army or other service branch that has basic training then Blue Ridge Community and Technical College will grant the same credit to individuals who present a certified copy of their DD-214 form after completing a minimum of one year of active military service. Correspondence work completed at accredited institutions of higher learning cooperating with the Armed Forces Institute is accepted by colleges in West Virginia. The amount of credit allowed by the institution where credit was earned, however, must not exceed 28 semester hours.

Fee Waiver

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College recognizes the American College Test’s or College Board’s Application Fee Waiver Program for economically-disadvantaged students; the appropriate request for a fee waiver should be submitted by the High School Guidance Counselor with the admissions application form.

Advanced Placement Tests

To receive credit for Advanced Placement Tests, students must have the testing service send the AP results directly to Blue Ridge Community and Technical College.

Admission of Students with Disabilities

Some disabilities are considered a barrier to completion of admission into particular programs at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College. College officials desire to provide every possible accommodation to students with disabilities. To do this, however college officials must have reasonable notice of the special accommodations required. Proper documentation from an established medical professional may be required. The Coordinator of Student Success along with the student will develop accommodations for those students whom are in need. Inquiries or requests should be directed to the Student Success office.

Orientation/Registration

Blue Ridge Community and Technical College Orientation/Registration is required for all incoming associate degree and/or certificate degree seeking students.

1. Admitted students will receive an email with their acceptance letter indicating orientation/registration dates.
2. Prospective students who are seeking a degree or certificate and do not have ACT/SAT/Compass placement scores must contact the Office of Student Success to set up testing (prior to specified date of Orientation/Registration.)
3. Students contact Blue Ridge Community and Technical College (according to the instructions on the letter) and denote which date they will attend an Orientation/Registration Session.
4. Students attend their scheduled Orientation/Registration Session, meet with an Academic Advisor, register for classes for the upcoming semester, and make appropriate payment arrangements.

The purpose of the Blue Ridge Community and Technical College Orientation/Registration Session is to familiarize students with policies, procedures, online classes, campus services, and other academic and campus information to register for classes. Fees and dates will be provided to the student during the acceptance process.

Classification for Residency for Admissions and Fee Purposes

General

The institutional officer designated by the President shall assign students enrolling in a West Virginia public institution of higher education a residency status for admission, tuition, and fee purposes. In determining residency classification, the issue is essentially one of domicile. In general, the domicile of a person is that person’s true, fixed, permanent home and place of habitation. The decision shall be based upon information furnished by the student and all other relevant information. The designated officer is authorized to require such written documents, affidavits, verifications, or other evidence as is deemed necessary to establish the domicile of a student. The burden of establishing domicile for admission, tuition, and fee purposes is upon the student. If there is a question as to domicile, the matter must be brought to the attention of the designated officer at least two weeks prior to the deadline for the payment of tuition and fees. Any student found to have made a false or misleading statement concerning domicile shall be subject to institutional disciplinary action and will be charged the nonresident fees for each academic term theretofore attended. The previous determination of a student’s domiciliary status by one institution is not conclusive or binding when subsequently considered by another institution; however, assuming no change of facts, the prior judgment should be given strong consideration in the interest of consistency. Out-of-state students being assessed resident tuition and fees as a result of reciprocity agreement may not transfer said reciprocity status to another public institution in West Virginia.

Residence Determined by Domicile

Domicile within the state means adoption of the state as a fixed permanent home and involves personal presence within the state with no intent on the part of the applicant or, in the case of the dependent student, the applicant’s parent(s) to return to another state or county. Residing with relatives (other than parent(s)/legal guardian) does not, in and of itself, cause the student to attain domicile in this state for admission of fee payment purposes. West Virginia domicile may be established upon the completion of at least 12 months of continued presence within the state prior to the date of registration, provided that such 12 months’ presence is not primarily for the purpose of attendance at any institution of higher education in West Virginia. Establishment of West Virginia domicile with less than 12 months’ presence prior to the date of registration must be supported by evidence of positive and unequivocal action. In determining domicile, institutional officials should give consideration to such factors as the ownership or lease of a permanently-occupied home in West Virginia, full-time employment within the state, paying West Virginia property tax, filing West Virginia income tax returns, registering of motor vehicles in West Virginia, possessing a valid West Virginia driver’s license, and marriage to a person already domiciled in West Virginia. Proof of a number of these actions should be considered only as evidence which may be used in determining whether or not a domicile has been established. Factors militating against the establishment of West Virginia domicile might include such considerations as the student not being self-supporting, being claimed as a dependent on federal or state income tax returns or on the parents’ health insurance policy if the parents reside out of state, receiving financial assistance from state student aid programs in other states, and leaving the state when school is not in session.

Dependency Status

A dependent student is one who is listed as a dependent on the federal state income tax return of his or her parent(s) or legal guardian or who receives major financial support from that person. Such a student maintains the same domicile as that of the parent(s) or legal guardian. In the event the parents are divorced or legally separated, the dependent student takes the domicile of the parent with whom he or she lives or to whom he or she has been assigned by court order. However, a dependent student who enrolls and is properly classified as an in-state student maintains that classification as long as the enrollment is continuous and that student does not attain independence and establish domicile in another state. A nonresident student, who becomes independent while a student at an institution of higher education in West Virginia, does not, by reason of such independence alone, attain domicile in this state for admission or fee payment purposes.

Change of Residence

A person who has been classified as an out-of-state student and who seeks resident status in West Virginia must assume the burden of providing conclusive evidence that he or she has established domicile in West Virginia with the intention of making a permanent home in this state. The intent to remain indefinitely in West Virginia is evidenced not only by a person’s statements, but also by that person’s actions. In making a determination regarding a request for change in residency status, the designated institutional officer shall consider those actions referenced in section two above. The change in classification, if deemed to be warranted, shall be effective for the academic term or semester next following the date of the application for reclassification.

Military

An individual who is on full-time active military service in another state or a foreign country, or an employee of the federal government, shall be classified as an in-state student for the purpose of payment of tuition and fees, provided that person established a domicile in West Virginia prior to entrance into federal service, entered the federal service from West Virginia, and has at no time while in federal service claimed or established a domicile in another state. Sworn statements attesting to these conditions may be required. The spouse and dependent children of such individuals also shall be classified as in-state students for tuition and fee purposes. Persons assigned to full-time active military service in West Virginia and residing in the state shall be classified as in-state students for tuition and fee purposes. The spouse and dependent children of such individuals shall also be classified as in-state students for tuition and fee purposes.

Aliens

An alien who is in the United States on a resident visa or who has filed a petition for naturalization in the naturalization court, and who has established a bona fide domicile in West Virginia as defined in section two, may be eligible for in-state residence classification, provided that person is in the state for purposes other than to attempt to qualify for residency status as a student. Political refugees admitted into the United States for an indefinite period of time and without restriction on the maintenance of a foreign domicile may be eligible for an in-state classification as defined in section two. Any person holding a student or other temporary visa cannot be classified as an in-state student. Currently Blue Ridge Community and Technical College is not a SEVIS institution, we cannot accept students on an F-1 VISA.

Former Domicile

A person who was formerly domiciled in the state of West Virginia and who would have been eligible for an in-state residency classification at the time of his/her departure from the state may be immediately eligible for classification as a West Virginia resident provided such person returns to West Virginia within a one-year period of time and satisfies the conditions of section two of these rules regarding proof of domicile and intent to remain permanently in West Virginia.

Appeal Process

The initial determination of residency classification by the registrar may be appealed to the institutional committee on residency appeals which is established by the President to receive and act on appeals of initial residency decisions. The decision of the institutional committee on residency appeals may be appealed to the president of the institution. The appeal shall end at the institutional level.