Tazewell County CONNECT

Tazewell County High Schools Class of 2026 Eligibility Conditions

1. Students must apply for admission to Southwest Virginia Community College and meet entrance requirements.
2. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in its entirety by June 2 and any verification requirements as communicated by the Financial Aid office.
3. Students must graduate from high school with a 2.5 GPA* and maintain a 2.5 GPA to retain eligibility.
4. Funds are available for up to 60 credit hours (15 per term) or two full years after high school graduation, beginning no later than the fall term after graduation.
   • If a fall or spring term is skipped, this disqualifies you from the program.
   • Summer semesters are not eligible for this funding. Any summer enrollment would incur a cost for the student.
5. Students must be residents of Tazewell County since January 1st of their high school graduation year and have graduated from a school in Tazewell County.
6. Complete 16 hours of community service each term with a 501c3 organization or government entity. Community Service hours must be completed in Tazewell County during the same term as when county funding is applied. Students must submit the Volunteer Hours form by the last day of classes for the term, or they will be disqualified from the program. Form and volunteer locations are found at sw.edu/volunteer
7. *Scholarship priority will be given to students whose immediate families work or volunteer for Tazewell County Fire or EMS Services. Students meeting these criteria will have the high school GPA requirement waived, but must maintain a satisfactory academic progress of 2.0 GPA and a 67% completion rate.
8. Students must complete the Tazewell County CONNECT application on this page by the May 15, 2026, deadline. It is recommended that you complete this regardless of the financial aid you expect to receive or the college you plan to attend. If not completed and your situation changes after the deadline, you will not be eligible unless an application is on file.

Funding is limited and will be awarded to eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Funding is last-dollar and is available for tuition only. This means that if you qualify for other types of Financial Aid to cover your tuition, you will not receive TCC in addition to that (you will only receive one or the other).
• Students who live outside of Tazewell County are NOT eligible for this program.
• Students graduating from a school outside of Tazewell County are NOT eligible.
• 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://sw.edu/scholarship-portal/ by the deadline of March 31 to determine if they are eligible for additional funds to help with books and other course materials.

For more information regarding Tazewell County CONNECT, please contact the Southwest Financial Aid Office, at financialaid@sw.edu or 276-964-7724.

Tazewell County CONNECT Application