Tazewell, VA – During its January meeting, the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to expand its tuition assistance program to include Bluefield University. Spearheaded by Eastern District Supervisor, Charlie Stacy, the board allocated $100,000 for the program to begin with the 2023-2024 academic year and help fill the gap a student may face after all other grants and scholarships have been used.
Supervisor Stacy commented “During these financially difficult times, affordability of higher education is a challenge facing many families in Tazewell County. As the board has seen tremendous success with the tuition assistance program at Southwest Virginia Community College, it was only natural to expand the program to include Bluefield University and provide an opportunity for our residents to receive a quality education locally.” He continued “The initiative offers a successful pathway toward attaining a college degree which results in a stronger workforce and better job opportunities. As a board, we see this as another step toward developing the economic growth of our community.”
The incentive will assist in reducing the barriers young adults face toward gaining a college degree by providing tuition assistance up to $2,500 per fall and spring semester during a period of two years subsequent of their high school graduation. Participation requires students to apply via application, receive a financial aid counseling session to determine tuition and fees, have a G.P.A of 3.0 or higher upon high school graduation and complete a minimum of eight hours of community service per semester while enrolled in the program. A waiver of community service hours will be provided to qualifying participants who are members of the National Guard.
“We are grateful and excited Tazewell County and the Board of Supervisors have made this investment in helping students in our area stay local for their education,” said Dr. David W. Olive, Bluefield University President. “Students from Tazewell County already benefit from our reduced tuition plan, the Commonwealth Connection Scholarship, which can be paid with existing grants and awards being a student from Virginia. Now, due to Tazewell County’s scholarship funding, tuition expenses may be fully covered for qualifying students.”
For more information on how to apply, visit bluefield.edu/apply, call (800) 872-0175, or email [email protected]. To learn more about how Bluefield University is providing an affordable education through the Commonwealth Connection Scholarship, go to https://www.bluefield.edu/bluefield-central/financial-aid/tuition-fees/special-tuition/