ACCE - Access to Community College Education | New River Community College

What It Takes to Help Local Students Attend College (Blue Ridge PBS)

ACCE Information from CHS, by CHS Students and counselor Joe Bates

ACCE Investing in Our Future Video

Christiansburg Town Council with ACCE Students Video

ACCE is an economic development public/private partnership that makes college available debt-free to high school and home-schooled graduates by funding NRCC tuition for two years.
ACCE will support the youth of participating counties by making college within reach.
With the support of ACCE, students will graduate from NRCC prepared to join the workforce or transfer to a four-year university without college debt.
ACCE supports as many students as possible based on student need and funds available for the program.

Requirements:

Students Must:

Have at least a 2.5 GPA to qualify and must maintain a 2.5 GPA while in the program.
Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and complete all FAFSA generated documents.
Qualify for Virginia instate tuition and reside in Floyd County, Giles County, Montgomery County, Pulaski County, or Radford City at least one year prior to ACCE application date.
Complete at least 80 hours of community service annually.
Maintain full-time enrollment of 12 credits.
Pay tuition and fees for credits over 15 (Funds will support up to 15 credits during fall and spring semesters).
Purchase their own textbooks, ebooks, and other digital course materials.
Enroll in a degree or certificate program that meets federal financial aid requirements.
Take a College Success Skills course during their first NRCC semester.
Not take online courses during the first semester, except College Success Skills.
Reimburse the program for any ACCE-sponsored course in which the student is unsuccessful.
Complete both English and math placement tests (unless exempt – see Career Coach for more information).
Students must be registered for classes by June 1 in order to receive ACCE funding.
Meet all ACCE deadlines.

Returning ACCE Student Deadlines:

Complete the FAFSA by March 1, 2024 (You will need the same login information as last year.)

FAFSA: Apply for Aid >>
Complete your FAFSA “To-Do List” by March 15, 2024
Reach out to your Community Service Coordinator to set up your community service in April.
Register for Fall 2024 classes by June 1, 2024

Failure to meet these deadlines could result in the loss of your ACCE funding.

Upcoming Deadlines:

Deadlines:	Information:
October 1, 2023	ACCE Application Opens - nr.edu/acce If not a Dual Enrollment Student, Complete the NRCC Application – nr.edu/admissions (the NRCC application establishes your NRCC email account – check it daily).
TBA - Fall	Attend, with guardian, a Financial Aid Workshop at your high school.
TBA - Fall	Attend, with guardian, ACCE informational session at your high school. Will be coordinated through Career Coach.
December 2023	FAFSA Application Opens - fafsa.gov
February 1, 2024	ACCE Application Deadline – ACCE application must be received by midnight. The application will close after this and will not be accessible.
February 15	FAFSA Deadline for ACCE Applicants - (NRCC code MUST be listed (financial aid information is only communicated through the NRCC student message center in SIS. Please contact your High School Career Coach or our help desk if you need assistance accessing your NRCC account).
March 15	FAFSA To-Do List Deadline for ACCE Applicants (All items must be completed and received by NRCC). Proof of Residency (coordinated by locality).
April 1	ACCE Award Notifications sent via the emails provided.
April 10	ACCE Student Acceptance Deadline - Only respond to one email.
Mid-May	Community Service Meetings at each high school - Community Service must be Served at a nonprofit approved location as assigned by the locality's ACCE community service coordinator.
June 1	ACCE Students must be enrolled in classes in order to receive ACCE funding. All communication will be done through NRCC email from this date forward.
June 15	Submit final high school transcripts to NRCC's Financial Aid Office.
August 15	Deadline to complete Volunteer Service hours It is HIGHLY recommended students complete all 80/100 hours of service prior to mid-August. This allows students the time to concentrate on fall semester courses.