Student Aid Programs

Students interested in applying for aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form can be submitted online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The Bridgemont Community and Technical College school code is 040473.  As application deadlines vary by program, students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1. Financial Aid is available to both full-time and part-time students.

Types of Federal Aid 

 Federal Pell Grant

Federal Pell Grants are awarded to students on the basis of financial need and do not have to be repaid. These grants are considered the foundation of federal financial aid, to which aid from other federal and non-federal sources might be added. Pell Grants are only awarded to undergraduate students who have not yet earned a bachelor's degree.

In December 2011, President Obama signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012 (Public Law 112-74). This law has significantly impacted the Pell Grant Program. Beginning in Fall 2012, Students are now limited to 12 semesters (or 600%) of Pell Grant eligibility during their lifetime. This change affects all students regardless of when or where they received their first Pell Grant. Students who are currently receiving the Pell Grant in the academic year 2011-2012 and who have already used 600% of their Pell Grant eligibility will no longer be eligible to receive a Pell Grant starting Fall 2012.

Q: How do I know if this affects me?

A: If you have attended college for 4 years or longer*, and have been receiving the Pell Grant each year, you may have already exhausted your lifetime limit of 12 semesters of Pell Grant eligibility.

If you have attended college and received the Pell Grant for 3 years or less you will most likely be eligible to receive a Pell grant during the 2012-2013 school year.**

*Students with a bachelor’s degree are not eligible to receive a Pell Grant.

**Please be conscious about the lifetime limit of the Pell Grant when changing majors and scheduling classes.

Q: Where can I see my lifetime Pell Grant usage?

A: You may view your Pell Grant usage by logging into NSLDS.ed.gov using the PIN number you created to file the FAFSA.

Q: Where can I get my PIN if I don’t remember it?

A: You may retrieve your PIN at pin.ed.gov.

 Q: How is the Pell percentage used calculated?

A: The percentages are based on your annual award at fulltime enrollment status.

For instance: If your annual award for  the 2011-2012 academic year was $5,550 and you attended full time both fall and spring terms, you used 100% of your lifetime limit.  If you attended 9 credits for both fall and spring terms, you used 75% of your lifetime limit.

 Q: I have questions about this, who do I call?

A: Our Financial Aid Counselors are available to discuss the change in the lifetime Pell Grant eligibility with you.

Federal Work-Study (FWS)

The Federal Work-Study program gives part-time jobs to students with financial need. Under the program, these students can work to make money to pay for their education expenses, including tuition, books, and room and board.

Stafford Loans

Stafford loans are for students to help cover the costs of their school expenses. These loans can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Stafford Loans are loans that students can take out to pay for education expenses. They are part of the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. 

• Subsidized: A subsidized loan is awarded on the basis of financial need. You will not be charged any interest before you begin repayment or during authorized periods of deferment. (Deferment is a period during which a borrower who meets certain criteria may suspend making loan payments.) The federal government "subsidizes" the interest during these periods.
• Unsubsidized: An unsubsidized loan is not awarded on the basis of need. You'll be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. (Disbursement is the release of loan funds to the school for delivery to the borrower.) In other words, your interest can grow while you're in school.

PLUS Loans

Direct PLUS loans are meant to help your parents cover the costs of your undergraduate school expenses. Your parents do not have to prove financial need, but the loans are unsubsidized - this means that the interest accumulates while you are in school.  They are loans your parents can take out to pay for your education expenses - you must be their financial dependent and enrolled at least half time. Also, your parents must pass a credit check. PLUS loans come directly from the U.S. Department of Education under the Direct Loan Program.

Types of West Virginia State Aid

WV Higher Education Grant

The West Virginia Higher Education Grant is a need-based financial aid program designed to ensure West Virginia students with financial need are given an opportunity to pursue post-secondary education.  For priority consideration file the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1, but before April 15 at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Higher Education Adult Part-Time Student Grant

The goal of the Higher Education Adult Part-Time Student Grant Program (HEAPS) is to encourage and enable West Virginia students that demonstrate financial need to continue their education on a part-time basis at the post-secondary level.  Applicants must submit the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1.

PROMISE Scholarship

The PROMISE Scholarship is a merit-based financial aid program for West Virginia residents. Students who achieve certain academic goals are eligible to receive funds to help pay for college. Eligible high school graduates will receive annual awards up to $4,750 to cover the cost of tuition and mandatory fees at public or independent institutions in West Virginia.  Students must complete the PROMISE Scholarship Application (Application for State-Level Financial Aid Programs) and the FAFSA must be received by the Federal Student Aid Processing Center on or before March 1 and meet the condition for processing.

WV Engineering, Science and Technology Scholarship

West Virginia Engineering, Science and Technology Scholarship Program is a student financial aid program designed to enable and encourage academically talented individuals to pursue careers in the fields of engineering, science and technology. Scholarships, not to exceed $3,000 per academic year, are awarded on the basis of academic qualifications and interest in the fields of engineering, science and technology.

 For more information and requirements for state-level financial aid, go to www.cfwv.com.

Types of Institutional Aid

Freshman Scholarships

Level 1 Scholarship

Requirements: Incoming Freshman, minimum Cumulative High School GPA of 3.5 and a minimum ACT of 24 or SAT of 1110.  $2500 in-state/$3500 out-of-state per year with a two year limit of eligibility

Level 2 Scholarship

Requirements: Incoming Freshman, minimum Cumulative High School GPA of 3.0 and a minimum ACT of 22 or SAT of 1030.  $1500 in-state/$2500 out-of-state per year with a two year limit of eligibility

Level 3 Scholarship

Requirements: Incoming Freshman, minimum Cumulative High School GPA of 3.0 and a minimum ACT of 19 or SAT of 910.  $1000 in-state/$2000 out-of-state per year with a two year limit of eligibility

West Virginia Resident First Generation Freshman Scholarships

West Virginia residents will receive a one-time $1,000 scholarship for their freshman year at Bridgemont Community and Technical College if they:

1. do not quality for Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 WV Resident Freshman Scholarships;
2. do satisfy Bridgemont CTC’s “General Requirements for Admission of High School Graduates;”
3. have a minimum overall high school GPA of 2.75 and minimum ACT score of 18 (or SAT Equivalent of 870); and
4. have parents that have not graduated from any college or university.

Non-Resident High Demand Technology Programs (HDTP)

Requirements:  Incoming Freshman, minimum Cumulative High School GPA of 3.0 and a minimum ACT of 24 or SAT of 1110.  Scholarship pays the difference between the in-state tuition and the out-of- state tuition rate with a two year limit of eligibility.  Eligible A.S. programs are Diesel Technology, Welding Technology, Blasting Technology, Digital Design Technology, Drafting & Design Engineering Technology, Civil Engineering Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, and Mechanical Engineering Technology. 

Non-Resident WV Employee Scholarship

Students who are not residents of West Virginia but are employed in West Virginia for at least 6 months prior to the start of classes may be eligible for a scholarship in the amount of the difference between the in-state tuition rate and the out-of- state tuition rate.  See Financial Aid website for criteria:  www.bridgemont.edu/index.php/financial-aid.html.

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