Two Year College/University

The desire to attend a four-year college or university is fairly common among high school students today. While this option is often talked about the most among students and their parents, families should always consider their options before choosing any route.

For many students, attending a two-year college or university is a more viable and rewarding option.  The vast majority of our students who choose to attend a two-year college enroll at Blue Ridge Community College. Across Virginia, there are approximately 23 community colleges operating 40 campuses. Virginia is also home to a single two-year public college, or junior college, called Richard Bland College. 

Students attending a two-year college can earn an associate degree before entering the workforce or they can transfer to a four-year college/university to earn a bachelor's degree. Attending a two-year college provides a student with significant cost savings versus attending a four-year college/university.  

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Virginia Public Colleges and Universities

College/University Name

Website

Location

Richard Bland College

www.rbc.edu

Petersburg

Virginia Community Colleges

College Name

Website

Location

Blue Ridge Community College

www.brcc.edu

Weyers Cave

Brightpoint Community College

www.brightpoint.edu

Chesterfield

Camp Community College

www.pdc.edu

Franklin

Central Virginia Community College

www.cvcc.vccs.edu

Lynchburg

Danville Community College

www.dcc.vccs.edu

Danville

Eastern Shore Community College

www.es.vccs.edu

Melfa

Germanna Community College

www.germanna.edu

Fredericksburg

Laurel Ridge Community College

www.laurelridge.edu

Fairfax

Mountain Empire Community College

www.me.vccs.edu

Big Stone Gap

Mountain Gateway Community College

www.mgcc.edu

Clifton Forge

New River Community College

www.nr.vccs.edu

Dublin

Northern Virginia Community College

www.nvcc.edu

Springfield

Patrick Henry Community College

www.ph.vccs.edu

Martinsville

Piedmont Valley Community College

www.pvcc.edu

Charlottesville

Rappahannock Community College

www.rappahannock.edu

Saluda

Reynolds Community College

www.reynolds.edu

Richmond

Southside Virginia Community College

www.southside.edu

Emporia

Southwest Virginia Community College

www.sw.edu

Cedar Bluff

Tidewater Community College

www.tcc.edu

Norfolk

Virginia Highlands Community College

www.vhcc.edu

Abingdon

Virginia Peninsula Community College

www.vpcc.edu

Hampton

Virginia Western Community College

www.virginiawestern.edu

Roanoke

Wytheville Community College

www.wcc.vccs.edu

Wytheville

Many students decide to attend Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC) after graduating from Fort Defiance High School. Some students are interested in pursuing a two-year associate degree before entering the workforce while others are interested in transferring to a four-year college/university after completing general academic coursework at BRCC. No matter the direction you are heading, if Blue Ridge Community College is your next destination see below for further information. 

In order to enroll at Blue Ridge Community College, you must first apply for admission on the following website:https://apply.vccs.edu. January, February, and March of your senior year are great times to complete this application.  If you have taken a dual enrollment course while at FDHS, you have already completed this important step! Once you complete the online application you will have a BRCC ID number, also referred to as an EMPLID #.  Keep this number in a safe place so you can access it later.

After you have completed the application, you can meet with an academic advisor at BRCC. The Advising Center is located in the Houff Student Center. BRCC advisors will assist you in understanding course requirements and they will help you navigate the transfer process if that is your goal. In April, we try to host a group advising session here at FDHS with advisors from BRCC. See your counselor for details. After meeting with a BRCC advisor, you will learn how and when to register for classes in the fall. 

Financial Aid at Blue Ridge Community College

Students going to Blue Ridge Community College are able to apply for financial aid and even scholarships too. Yes, scholarships! Do no miss out on financial assistance by waiting until the last minute. Step 1: Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid – hhttps://studentaid.gov). December 1 of your senior year is the earliest you can complete the FAFSA. Remember this is a FREE application so you should never have to pay to complete the FAFSA. While your FAFSA is being processed you may be asked for verification information, particularly tax information. Submit this information in a timely manner. If you have questions about completing the FAFSA, make an appointment with our GRASP advisor. She is here one day a week to meet with students and parents who have college financial aid questions. You can make an appointment by signing up in Guidance. Step 2: Apply for scholarships through the BRCC Educational Foundation – There are many scholarships that incoming freshmen are eligible to receive. Interested students should complete the online application found here: http://www.brcc.edu/financial_aid/scholarships. Typically, the scholarship deadline is in mid-April. Do not miss the deadline. 

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