Bluefield University is opening a tuition-free pathway for qualifying Virginia students through Bluefield Promise, beginning with the high school graduating class of 2027.
The program will cover tuition for eligible first-time freshmen entering in Fall 2027. Students from anywhere in the Commonwealth may participate by living on campus, while students from Bland, Giles, Tazewell, and Wythe counties may also qualify if they commute from home.
“Our mission is to prepare students for lives of learning, service and faith,” said Bluefield University President Dr. Steve Peterson. “Bluefield Promise gives qualifying students a tuition-free pathway to an education that helps them discover their calling and use their gifts to serve others.”
Bluefield Promise builds on the university’s decision to reduce traditional on-campus undergraduate tuition for the 2024–2025 academic year and hold that lower rate steady since. The Board of Trustees has approved no increase in that tuition for 2027–2028.
“Families continue to face higher costs in their everyday lives,” Peterson said. “Holding our tuition rate steady for a third consecutive year benefits all our traditional on-campus students. We want to do our part to make a Christ-centered education affordable.”
Bluefield Promise combines federal and state grants with university scholarships to bring eligible students’ tuition balance to zero. Students must qualify for the full Federal Pell Grant and Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant, known as VTAG, meet university admission requirements, and enroll full-time in an eligible on-campus undergraduate program.
The resident version of the promise serves qualifying students from any Virginia county or independent city who live in university housing. The commuter version extends tuition coverage to qualifying students with established permanent residence in the four designated counties.
Students may participate for up to four consecutive academic years or until they earn their first bachelor’s degree, whichever comes first. Continued participation requires annual financial aid eligibility, full-time enrollment, satisfactory academic progress and compliance with residency and housing requirements.
The program covers tuition only. Housing, meals, fees, books, course materials and other expenses remain separate.
Commuter eligibility requires a qualifying permanent residence within the four-county area for at least 12 consecutive months before the entering term. Financial Aid will verify residency through the qualifying parent or legal guardian for dependent students, or through the student’s own residence for independent students. A temporary address or a move primarily to attend college does not establish eligibility.
Bluefield Promise is available to students graduating from high school in 2027 and entering BU as first-time freshmen that fall. Transfer students are not eligible. Dual-enrollment credits earned during high school do not disqualify an otherwise eligible freshman.
Students can begin by applying to Bluefield University, completing the 2027–2028 FAFSA using school code 003703, and submitting the VTAG application and required financial aid documents.
For full details and to apply, visit bluefield.edu/bluefield-promise.