Brightpoint Community College: Understanding Tuition and Costs

For individuals seeking higher education in Virginia, understanding the costs associated with community college is crucial. Brightpoint Community College offers various programs and resources, and this article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of its tuition, fees, financial aid options, and other related expenses.

Tuition and Fees

In-State and Out-of-State Tuition

Brightpoint Community College, like other public institutions, differentiates tuition rates based on residency. As of 2023, the median undergraduate tuition at Brightpoint Community College is $4,788 per year, which is $3,465 less than the national average for Associates Colleges ($8,253).

Additional Fees

Tuition rates are established by the State Board for Community Colleges and are subject to change. The e-Rate is applicable to designated distance-learning courses delivered entirely over the Internet. Tuition rates include an $8.50 per credit hour technology fee. Virginia residents are exempt from the $21.00 per credit hour capital fee. If a student’s check is returned to the college for any reason, the student will be charged a $35.00 returned check fee in addition to the amount of the returned check. After that, the returned check fee will increase to $50.00, and the student will be withdrawn from his/her classes.

Brightpoint Community College charges tuition and fees based on credit hours. The majority of Brightpoint classes are three credit hours, but some classes are four, and others are for only one credit. If a student decides NOT to attend or stops attending class, the student is responsible for going into their myBrightpoint account in SIS and dropping that class before the last day to drop with a refund date to ensure no debt is incurred. Students should refer to the appropriate semester’s Academic Calendar, which lists drop dates by class session.

Domicile Requirements for In-State Tuition

Generally, to be eligible for in-state tuition rates, the student must have been legally domiciled in Virginia for a period of at least one full year prior to the planned semester of enrollment. Domicile is a technical legal term that means more than simple “residency” in Virginia. An individual seeking eligibility for in-state tuition must demonstrate the intention of remaining in Virginia indefinitely. Demonstration of intent is usually accomplished through objective evidence such as a Virginia driver’s license, voter’s registration, and payment of Virginia income taxes, although additional forms of documentation may be required. Students requesting a change of domicile status must furnish supporting documentation and secure approval by no later than the first day of their first semester of enrollment.

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Active-duty military members who reside in VA may receive in-state tuition rates. Spouses and dependents of active-duty military members may receive in-state tuition rates as long as the military member has been assigned to a permanent duty station in VA and resides in VA. In order to secure the benefit, a copy of current permanent orders, valid military dependent ID and proof of address must be presented prior to the start of the first semester of enrollment. A student under the age of 24 generally assumes the domiciliary status of the parent(s) unless one of the following criteria is met. The Admissions and Records Office is responsible for making an initial determination of eligibility for in-state tuition rates based on information provided by the student on the application form.

Appeals for Domicile Status

Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Admissions and Records office at least two weeks prior to the date of the requested entitlement (the first day of classes of the semester in question). The director of Admissions and Records/registrar will review such appeals and issue decisions within five days or prior to the first day of classes. Appeals received less than two weeks prior to the date of requested entitlement will not be considered until after the subsequent add/drop period. Appeals of the intermediate level review must be submitted in writing to the Office of the Vice President (VP) of Academic Affairs. Such appeals must be submitted no later than five business days after the receipt of intermediate level decisions. Supporting documentation that presents clear evidence of domiciliary intent, such as a Virginia driver’s license, voter’s registration and payment of Virginia income taxes, must be presented by no later than the first day of the next semester of enrollment.

In the event that a student’s circumstances change after a semester has begun, the student’s tuition status may be eligible for reclassification. This reclassification shall be effective for the next academic term following the date of the application for reclassification.

Payment Options and Refund Policies

Payment Plans

Brightpoint offers a monthly tuition payment plan. If you intend to receive financial aid, to guarantee your enrollment you must have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and have received your Award Notification via the SIS Message Center from the Financial Aid Office. If you have not completed the process, you must be prepared to pay your tuition and fees in full by the deadlines outlined above. Tuition and fees may be paid by cash, money order, personal check, MasterCard or Visa. This obligation must be paid with cash, cashier’s check, debit card or credit card (MasterCard or Visa).

Employer Tuition Contracts

If your employer is paying for your classes, you must submit the employer’s purchase order or written authorization along with a contract agreement form signed by the employer. The contract agreement form can be obtained from the Business Office. The contract will solidify the agreement of your employer to be billed by the college for your tuition and fees.

Refund Policies

A full refund of tuition is authorized for credit hours of course(s) dropped during the first 15 percent of the session. Students who drop themselves from a course, online or through a campus office, on or prior to the drop date for that course will receive a refund. Students who never attend a class or have a last date of attendance for the course prior to the drop date will be administratively removed from the course, and NO REFUND will be given. Students are responsible for dropping courses by posted deadlines. If a student registers for a course that is cancelled by the college and does not elect to enter an alternate course, the student will receive a refund. Students who withdraw from classes after the drop date will not receive a refund.

Virginia Community College Policy 4.3.2 states that students are eligible for refunds for those credit hours dropped during the add/drop period. Brightpoint Community College will consider requests for tuition refunds due to a highly unusual emergency or extenuating circumstance. If a tuition refund is approved by the Dean of Students or Associate Dean of Students, the student will be assigned a grade of ‘W’ in the refunded course(s). Requests must be made during the semester in question or the immediate subsequent semester. No requests will be considered after this time. Students may request to be withdrawn from the college after the census date. The student may request to be administratively withdrawn with a refund and assigned a grade of “W”.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Financial Aid Options

Financial aid can include grants, loans, scholarships and work-study jobs. Financial aid packages vary depending on your financial need. Most colleges determine financial need based on your FAFSA. In 2023, 29% of undergraduate students attending Brightpoint Community College received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 4% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans. Brightpoint Community College attempts to ensure that qualified students are not denied an education due to a lack of money. All students are encouraged to apply for financial assistance by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.studentaid.gov. Students are urged to submit their financial aid applications well in advance of their anticipated registration dates. The priority date for applying for financial aid for the fall semester is May 15. The priority date for applying for financial aid for the spring semester is September 15. The priority date for the summer semester is March 15. Brightpoint uses Messaging via the Student Center in myBrightpoint to communicate with students about financial aid.

Types of Aid

The Federal Pell Grant is an award for undergraduates only with no prior bachelor’s or professional degree. FSEOG is for undergraduate Federal Pell Grant recipients with exceptional financial need (i.e., students with the lowest EFCs). Students may receive up to $2,200 a year depending on eligibility and funding level. Federal Work-Study is a program that provides part-time employment opportunities to eligible students to help meet the costs of post-secondary education. Based on the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), eligible students are awarded an allotment that may be earned through part-time employment in FWS-approved positions either on or off campus. COMA is a state-funded grant that provides assistance to undergraduate Virginia residents to a maximum of tuition and fees per academic year.

Scholarships

Every year many Brightpoint students get help paying for college through scholarships from the Brightpoint Community College Foundation. There are a wide variety of merit- and need-based scholarships available. Current and prospective students at Brightpoint Community College may apply for a Foundation scholarship, even if they do not qualify for federal financial assistance. Be enrolled or plan to enroll at Brightpoint for the academic year. Students must be officially enrolled before scholarship funds will be disbursed.

Read also: About Grossmont Community College

Financial Aid for Military and Veterans

Students receiving financial aid, tuition assistance and/or Veterans Administration benefits should confer with the Military and Veterans Education Office before withdrawing. The Military and Veterans Education Office will notify the Financial Aid Office and the Business Office when students are processed according to this policy so that the college can ensure that the students are forgiven any potential debts owed to the college. Most programs of education offered at Brightpoint Community College are approved by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services for VA entitlements. Students using GI Bill® Chapters 31 and 33 will not be restricted from enrollment, assessed late fees or denied access to institutional facilities pending the disbursement of benefit by the VA. Enrollment adjustments that take place after certification, such as course drops, adds, swaps, and withdrawals, must be reported by submitting a Military Benefit Certification Request eForm in the Student Information System (SIS). Any debt that may be incurred as a result of unreported enrollment adjustments will require payment in accordance with college policy. Eligible veteran students are encouraged to consider using the VA Work-Study and the VA Tutorial Assistance programs while attending school as they are valuable resources. Students eligible to receive Tuition Assistance (TA) or My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) benefits are reminded that only those courses that apply to their approved programs of education can be paid for by TA or MyCAA. Students planning to use Tuition Assistance are expected to present their approval to the M&VEO staff during their initial visit or prior to the first day of classes for the semester. Military family members planning to use MyCAA benefits need to contact the M&VEO to establish an Education & Training Plan for submission to the Department of Defense Spouse Education and Career Opportunities Certification (SECO). This process should be completed not later than one week prior to the beginning of the term.

Additional Expenses

Books and Supplies

You are expected to buy any books, supplies, and materials needed for your courses. Traditional textbooks continue to be replaced by digital courseware products that integrate with the Learning Management System. Some courses requiring a digital courseware product might also have a supplemental physical copy. Some physical textbooks are available to rent for a semester. Renting textbooks can substantially lower college expenses. Digital textbooks and/or ebooks are the same editions of a physical textbook and are accessible either as a download or on the internet. Thousands of titles are available in this paperless format at reduced cost in comparison traditional textbooks. An access code is a series of letters and numbers that allows access to a course’s online content, additional study material, and an e-book of the text. Digital courseware materials integrate with the Learning Management System and are available on the first day of class when the instructor opens the course. Some access codes are security protected and printed on cardboard. Cardboard access codes must be physically picked up in-store or shipped to the student. Lab kit vouchers are redeemed for a physical lab kit shipped to the student from the third-party vendor, at no additional standard shipping costs, after the redemption process has been completed. For specified courses, kits or additional supplies may be required or recommended.

Cost-Saving Resources

Several cost-saving programs and products are listed below, to help guide you in your search for course materials. Open educational resources are public domain resources available at little or no cost that can be used for teaching, learning, or research. This term can include textbooks, course readings, and other learning content; simulations, games, and other learning applications; syllabi, quizzes, and assessment tools; and virtually any other material that can be used for educational purposes. For specified courses, Follett ACCESS is a program designed to provide required digital and/or physical course materials at a low cost on the first day of class. Follett ACCESS course material fees are added to the student’s account by the college along with tuition and other fees.

IncludED Fees

*Students using the Chapter 33 (Post 9-11) GI Bill® who have registered in a Follett ACCESS course should be aware the Follett ACCESS course material fee is not covered by the VA. Payment of Follett Access fees is the student’s responsibility and can be paid via financial aid, out-of-pocket, or with the book stipend received as part of the Post 9-11 benefit. Although this requirement will not prevent access to course materials, failure to pay the required fees will result in a debt to the college for the balance owed.

Enrollment and Student Demographics

Brightpoint Community College had a total enrollment of 9,023 students in 2023. The full-time enrollment at Brightpoint Community College is 2,025 students and the part-time enrollment is 6,998. This means that 22.4% of students enrolled at Brightpoint Community College are enrolled full-time. The enrolled student population at Brightpoint Community College, both undergraduate and graduate, is 51.8% White, 21.5% Black or African American, 13.1% Hispanic or Latino, 5.31% Two or More Races, 3.9% Asian, 0.266% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0997% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Outcomes and Success Rates

Graduation and Retention Rates

In 2023, 19% of students graduating from Brightpoint Community College completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 32% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 35% within 200%. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Brightpoint Community College was 64%.

Common Majors

In 2023, the most common associates degree concentration at Brightpoint Community College was General Health Services with 115 degrees awarded.

Student Loan Default Rate

In 2022 the default rate for borrower's at Brightpoint Community College was 0%, which represents 0 out of the 371 total borrowers.

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