CONNECT Buchanan County

Tuition Free College Education

Please read these Eligibility Conditions before applying. Updated January 2024.

Notice to Buchanan County Applicants: Please review the Eligibility & Application Requirements carefully before submitting your application. Volunteer hours are required. After submitting your application, you may download the Buchanan County Community Service Verification Form and visit the Volunteer page to see current community service opportunities available to you.

Students must apply for admission to SWCC and meet entrance requirements.
Students must complete the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in its
entirety and any verification requirements as communicated by the Financial Aid office.
Students must complete high school with a 2.0 GPA and maintain a 2.0 GPA to retain
eligibility.
Funds are available for up to 6 continuous semesters following high school graduation,
beginning no later than the fall term after the high school graduation for up to 2
years. (If a fall or spring term is skipped, this disqualifies you from the program)
Ability to provide proof of residency in Buchanan County for at least one (1) year before applying for college admission, as well as graduating from a school in Buchanan County.
Complete 8 hours of community service each term with a 501C3 organization or
government entity. Community Service hours must be completed in Buchanan County
during the same term as when county funding is applied. Students must turn in Volunteer
Hours form by deadline(same date grades are posted), or you will be disqualified from the
program. **Form and volunteer locations found at sw.edu/volunteer
Please complete your BCC application online at sw.edu/connect-buchanan-county by
the deadline of June 1st. It is recommended to complete this regardless of what Financial
Aid you think you will receive and regardless of the college you plan on attending. If not
completed and your situation changes after the deadline, then you will not be eligible
without an application on file.

*Students who live outside Buchanan County are NOT eligible for this program. Students graduating from a school outside of Buchanan County are NOT eligible. Funding is last‐dollar and is only available for tuition. This means that if you qualify for other types of Financial Aid to cover your tuition, you will not receive BCC in addition to that (you will only receive one or the other). Funding and eligibility requirements are contingent upon an approved county budget, set by the Board of Supervisors, each year by July 1st. Course Specific fees are not covered under this funding.

**Students should complete the SWCC Scholarship Application at https://swcc.awardspring.com by the deadline of March 31st to determine if they are eligible for additional funds to help with books, etc.

All current High School graduates, including home school & private school, are eligible to apply if received by the deadline.

**APPLICATION IS DUE BY JUNE 1st **

For more information regarding Buchanan County CONNECT, please contact:
Jessica Ellis, Financial Aid Specialist, at 276‐964‐7291, 276‐964‐7724, or jessca.ellis@sw.edu

CONNECT Buchanan County Application

Name(Required)

First Last

SWCC EmplID(Required)

7 digit Student ID Number

Address

STREET ADDRESS PO BOX City State ZIP Code

Birth Date(Required)

month and year only ex. October 2002

Home Phone

Cell Phone

Southwest Student Email(Required)

IMPORTANT! Please use the email address you were provided with your Southwest Admission Application. This is your official email and ALL communications from Financial Aid regarding this application will be sent to that email.

Enrollment Plans(Required)

Select the year/terms that you currently plan to enroll (select all that apply)

High School(Required)

HS Graduation(Required)

Have you graduated from High School?

Yes

Graduation Date

Program of Study(Required)

Enter your desired program of study: **To be eligible you must enroll in an academic degree, diploma, or certificate. You can see a program list at https://sw.edu/programs-a-z/

I certify that I am meeting all eligibility requirements stated above and that the above information is true and subject to verification. I understand I will be required to repay any funds disbursed to me if it is later determined that I have provided incorrect information.
I understand that I must complete 16 hours of community service (8 hours in each, fall and spring semesters) with an approved 501C3 organization and turn in signed Volunteer Hours form by deadlines-TBA, or will be disqualified.
By selecting I agree I give Southwest Virginia Community College permission to share GPA/performance information with the Buchanan County Board of Supervisors.

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Important Telephone Numbers:

Admissions Office: 276-964-7238

Financial Aid: 276-964-7724

SWCC Educational Foundation: 276-964-7351