Bluefield State College's financial aid program provides assistance to those students who otherwise would be unable to attend college. Primary consideration is given to the student's financial need, enrollment status, and satisfactory academic progress. The State of West Virginia appropriates monies toward educational costs for West Virginia residents attending Bluefield State College. The low cost of tuition and fees, coupled with the various financial aid programs, makes a college education accessible and a reality for students from families of all income levels.
Student financial aid is available from federal, state and institutional sources. Application forms for federal programs may be obtained from the College Financial Aid Office or from high school guidance counselors.
Applicants for federal assistance should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Students should complete all sections of the form and should list Bluefield State College (with code 003809) in the appropriate block. Continuing aid applicants receive a renewal application from the federal processor. Certain types of aid are limited, so students are encouraged to apply by March 1 of each year for consideration for the following Fall semester.
After submitting the application, the student will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) from the processor. SARs do not have to be submitted to the Financial Aid office unless corrections are necessary. Corrections should be noted by the student on Part 2 which must be signed by the student and one parent in the case of a dependent student. Most corrections can be made electronically by Financial Aid Office personnel. A revised SAR will be sent to the student. Financial aid files are reviewed when all supporting documents have been received. Students are notified of award amounts by mail.
Tuition and fees are collected from the first available source(s) of aid. Students must begin attendance in all classes equaling the number of semester hours upon which the aid award is based. Students reported for non-attendance may have to repay a portion or all of their awards. If students officially withdraw from the College, institutional refunds will be applied to financial aid accounts first in accordance with federal and institutional policy. Students may be required to repay a portion of the balance of a grant depending on the date of withdrawal.
The amount of federal assistance for which a student is eligible is determined on the basis of the reported financial resources of the student and/or of the student's family. The amount of federal assistance a student is awarded through the institution is dependent upon the quantity of funds the institution has been allocated for distribution by the Department of Education. Criteria used to determine individual award amounts are available in the Financial Aid Office.
Federal Pell Grants -Pell Grants are available to students pursuing an undergraduate degree and do not have to be repaid. In order to receive full benefit of all federal aids and the West Virginia Higher Education Grant Program, a student must apply for the Pell Grant.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) -These grants are available to students who demonstrate exceptional financial need via the federal application form and, like the Pell Grant, do not usually have to be repaid.
Federal Work-Study Program -Students qualifying for federal College Work-Study funds may apply within the College or at approved community service locations.
Federal Direct Stafford/Ford Loan Program -Need based and non-need based loans are made to students through the Financial Aid Office. Need analysis is required. Interest rate is variable. Fees are assessed for insurance and origination. Payments may be deferred while student is in school. Various repayment options and consolidation with prior Stafford Loans are available. Eligible students may borrow the federal annual loan maximum once during the College's scheduled academic year which includes the Fall, Spring, and following summer terms.
Federal Perkins Loan Program -Loan requires need analysis. The interest rate is 5 %. Payments may be deferred while the student is in school and for nine months thereafter. Minimum $40 repayment with a maximum 10 year repayment period. Some cancellation benefits available.
Federal Direct Ford Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students -Loan requires need analysis and is made by the Financial Aid Office. Interest rate is variable. Fees are assessed for insurance and origination. Maximum repayment period is 10 years.
For additional information on Federal Programs, contact the Financial Aid Office at (304) 327-4020.
Bluefield State College Undergraduate Board of Directors (BOD) Tuition Waivers— Tuition waivers are awarded to entering freshmen and continuing students based on academic excellence or exceptional talents or skills. This award waives all or part of a student’s tuition (fees are not included) for up to eight semesters as long as a satisfactory grade point average is maintained. The number of available tuition waivers is determined by the college’s full time equivalent enrollment (FTE) for the previous year. A Bluefield State College scholarship form must be submitted.
Promise Scholarship Program—These scholarships are based on high school academic performance and satisfactory progress toward completion of a degree. The scholarship amount covers all mandatory fees required as a condition of enrollment by all students. For addition-al information visit the Promise Scholarship website at www.promisescholarships.org.
West Virginia Higher Education Adult Part-Time Student Grant Program (HEAPS)—These grants are available on a limited basis to students enrolled at least half-time but less than full-time. Eligible students must demonstrate financial need and defined as independent by the federal needs analysis formula and meeting academic progress. In addition, students must be out of high school for at least two years.
West Virginia Higher Education Grant Program—These scholarships are based on financial need of the applicant and satisfactory progress toward completion of a degree. They are granted for a substantial portion of tuition and fees of West Virginia residents only. The student’s application for federal funds must be filed by March 1 for consideration for the following year.
For additional information on State of West Virginia Programs, contact the Financial Aid Office at (304) 327-4020.
AAUW—The Bluefield Branch American Association of University Women provides this scholarship to a female student who is at least 25 years of age and is a West Virginia resident. Award made by AAUW.
Akhtar Safder Scholarships—Scholarships granted to mechanical engineering technology junior and senior students. Award based on financial need, performance in class, and community service.
Bell Atlantic West Virginia—This scholarship is directed toward two West Virginia students at the junior level majoring in business, technical or education-related degree programs.
Bluefield State College Foundation Scholarships—Scholarships are granted annually on the basis of academic achievement. Within the foundation scholarship program certain scholarships are designated and/or named for persons or organizations who have made substantial contributions to the College. These include the Bellamy Scholarship, the Presidential Scholarship, the James A. Broady, Jr. Family Scholarship, The Sylvester Myers Scholarship, Phillip M. Horton Scholarship, the Herb Sims Memorial Scholarship, the John Duffy Memorial Scholarship, and the Zeta Chapter Delta Kappa Gamma Society Scholarship.
BSC Alumni Association Scholarship—Students who demonstrate scholastic achievement and who evidence need for financial assistance will be awarded scholarships to meet their unmet tuition obligations. An Alumni Association application must be filed. Alumni application forms are available in the Office of Institutional Advancement and from the Association. Award made exclusively by Alumni Association.
Consolidation Coal Company Scholarship—The Southern Appalachian Region of Consolidation Coal Company provides scholarships for students interested in engineering technology programs. Requirements are a 2.5 GPA and demonstrated interest in mining careers.
Craddock Scholarship Award—Award is based on financial need and academic achievement. Preference to students from Appalachia pursuing a B.S. degree
Douglas F. Crickmer Memorial Scholarship—This scholarship is awarded annually by the Women’s Auxiliary to the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum Engineers, Inc.
Frontier, A Citizens Communications, Scholarship—A scholarship program for students who meet the Bluefield State College scholarship guidelines and are enrolled in a degree program at the institution.
Grace A. Linkous Memorial Scholarship—These scholarships are awarded annually to students who show academic ability to succeed.
J. Franklin Long Scholarship Endowment—These scholarships are awarded to McDowell County, full-time African-American first year students who are first generation college students who meet low income guidelines.
June Oblinger Shott Scholarships—A scholarship program for a full time student enrolled in a degree program at the institution who demonstrates academic promise, a need for financial assistance, and meets the guidelines of the Bluefield State College scholarship policy.
Laurence E. Tierney Educational Foundation—The allocations of this fund are set aside for students of Bluefield State College who have demonstrated evidence of academic or creative promise.
Lawson Scholarship—This scholarship is awarded to students from the southwest Virginia area who have financial need and show academic ability to succeed.
Massey Foundation Scholarship—This foundation provides unrestricted scholarships to students in southern West Virginia, southwestern Virginia, or eastern Kentucky. It requires a B average or better and demonstrated interest in coal mining careers or working in coal mining areas.
Pocahontas Electrical and Mechanical Institute—This professional organization makes scholarships available to students majoring in mining, civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering technology at Bluefield State College and are based upon academic achievement.
Ruritan National Foundation Scholarship—Students approved for a scholarship by the National Ruritan Foundation will receive a matching grant from Bluefield State College. Students must meet BSC admission requirements.
Shannon Stewart Memorial Scholarship—This scholarship is awarded to a deserving student who demonstrates academic and athletic promise.
WAAIME Scholarship—This scholarship is awarded annually by The Women’s Auxiliary to the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum Engineers, Inc. (WAAIME) to a mining engineering technology student or related earth science major.
West Virginia Literacy Foundation Scholarship—recipients must be residents of WV who are admitted to BSC. Selection based on financial need. They must be an EDP or a GED graduate.
Greenbrier Community College Foundation Scholarships are awarded only to residents of Greenbrier, Monroe, or Pocahontas counties who are students of Greenbrier Community College Center in Lewisburg or other locations in the 3 counties served by GCCC. Applications and further information on scholarship requirements are available in the GCCC Student Services Office. Aide Scholarship is endowed by George and Helen Aide. The scholarship is for any field of study.
Aide Scholarship is endowed by George and Helen Aide. The scholarship is for any field of study.
Allen Scholarship is endowed by the family and friends of Clarence A. "Bussie" Allen in his memory. The scholarship is for any field of study
Blanton Scholarship is endowed by the Alicia McConnick Fund in memory of Veronica Blanton. The scholarship is for the field of study of Nursing.
Fort Scholarship is endowed by the Kyle Fort Family in memory of Madlyn E. Fort. The scholarship is for the field of study of health sciences.
Greenbrier Hospitality Scholarship is endowed by the Greenbrier Hotel. The scholarship is for the field of study of hospitality.
Hamilton Scholarship is endowed by Jeanne and Lawson Hamilton. The scholarship is for any field of study.
Hyatt Scholarship is endowed by the Hyatt Estate in memory of Sidney Hyatt. The scholarship is for any field of study.
Jost Scholarship is endowed by Catherine and Victor Jost. The scholarship is for any field of study.
Knight Scholarship is endowed by the Knight Family in memory of E. A. Knight, Jr. The scholarship is for any field of study.
McElhenney-Fry-Kirven Scholarship is given by the Kirven Foundation in memory of Rev. John and Mrs. Rebecca McElhenney. The scholarship is for any field of study.
For additional information on scholarships, contact the Institutional Development and Advancement Office at (304) 327-4501.