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.
Click below for more resources.
Virginia Wizard (transfer agreements with four-year colleges/universities)
Transfer Virginia (Transfer Virginia is an initiative to provide transparency and access
throughout the college transfer process.)
Opportunities Book (college planning resource)
Big Future by the College Board(college planning resource)
College Scorecard (college planning resource)
Virginia Public Colleges and Universities
College/University Name | Website | Location |
---|---|---|
Richard Bland College | Petersburg |
Virginia Community Colleges
College Name | Website | Location |
---|---|---|
Blue Ridge Community College | Weyers Cave | |
Brightpoint Community College | Chesterfield | |
Camp Community College | Franklin | |
Central Virginia Community College | Lynchburg | |
Danville Community College | Danville | |
Eastern Shore Community College | Melfa | |
Germanna Community College | Fredericksburg | |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Fairfax | |
Mountain Empire Community College | Big Stone Gap | |
Mountain Gateway Community College | Clifton Forge | |
New River Community College | Dublin | |
Northern Virginia Community College | Springfield | |
Patrick Henry Community College | Martinsville | |
Piedmont Valley Community College | Charlottesville | |
Rappahannock Community College | Saluda | |
Reynolds Community College | Richmond | |
Southside Virginia Community College | Emporia | |
Southwest Virginia Community College | Cedar Bluff | |
Tidewater Community College | Norfolk | |
Virginia Highlands Community College | Abingdon | |
Virginia Peninsula Community College | Hampton | |
Virginia Western Community College | Roanoke | |
Wytheville Community College | 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.
Click below for more resources.
Virginia Wizard (Transfer Agreements with Four Year Colleges/Universities)
Financial Aid 101 (bigfuture.collegeboard.org)
GRASP (grasp4va.org)