At Laurel Ridge Community College, we’re committed to making education affordable for everyone. Whether you’re fresh out of high school, or returning to school as an adult, we offer a variety of financial aid options to help cover the cost of your education. In a recent segment on The River 95.3’s radio show, The Valley Today, Guy Curtis, director of marketing, and Kaitlyn Lambert, assistant director of financial aid, shared how Laurel Ridge can fund your future.
A common misconception is that community college tuition is low enough that students don’t need much financial aid. Even though our tuition is about one-third that of four-year universities, many of our students still need assistance meeting those costs. There are plenty of opportunities to reduce your costs — and it all starts with one simple application, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, better known as the FAFSA.
Kaitlyn highlighted the importance of completing the FAFSA. By filling out the FAFSA, students get access to federal funding. She mentions that with one application at Laurel Ridge, students can potentially qualify for up to 180 different scholarships. It’s an easy way to unlock multiple opportunities for financial support.
In addition to scholarships, we offer programs that help students in high-demand fields. The G3 program, for example, is a state-funded initiative that provides extra funding for students in specific fields — like healthcare and IT — leaving them having to pay little to nothing for their education. If you’re pursuing a career in these fields, G3 could be the perfect option to reduce your tuition costs.
Another opportunity is the Davenport Institute’s Early Childhood Education funding program. This program offers extra financial support for students pursuing careers in early childhood education, including for costs like transportation. We also have the Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) program, which provides financial aid to students who may not qualify for FAFSA, such as undocumented and DACA students.
At Laurel Ridge, we know the financial aid process can feel overwhelming, but we’re here to help. Our financial aid team offers personalized support to guide you through the application process. Whether in person or virtually, we’re committed to helping you navigate all the options available to you.
The FAFSA and VASA applications are essential to securing financial aid, and we encourage students to apply as early as possible. While the priority deadline is July 1, applying early gives you a better chance of receiving the support you need. We also reach out to local high schools to ensure that students are aware of the financial aid resources available to them.
Don’t let the cost of college hold you back. Whether you’re applying for scholarships, grants or specialized funding programs like G3 and VASA, we’re here to make your education affordable. Take the first step today and apply for financial aid at Laurel Ridge Community College.
Ready to learn more? Go to laurelridge.edu/financial-aid/ to explore all of our financial aid opportunities.