Q: What is the Roanoke Community College Access Program (RCCAP)?
A: RCCAP is a program that makes college available tuition-free to 2010 graduates of Patrick Henry and William Fleming High School. It covers the cost of tuition for two years or up to 72 credit hours at Virginia Western Community College, whichever comes first. RCCAP supports as many students as possible based on student need and funds available to the program.
Q: What additional criteria do I need to meet to remain eligible for RCCAP?
A: There are several criteria that students must continue to meet to remain eligible for participation in the program:
Throughout the RCCAP Program:
#1 - Students must maintain a cumulative 2.0 overall GPA to remain eligible for program assistance. Students who do not maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA at the end of any semester will not be eligible to receive RCCAP funds during any subsequent semester.
PLEASE NOTE: RCCAP will pay for one 4-credit development course (if needed) the recipient’s first semester and one 4-credit development course (if needed) the second semester. The recipient will be responsible for paying for development courses needed beyond those 4 credits the first and second semesters and for all development courses needed any semester afterwards.
#2 - Students must maintain full-time enrollment in a specific program of study (a minimum of 12 credit hours and maximum of 15 credit hours each fall and spring semester) through spring semester, 2012, or until 72 credits have been completed, whichever comes first. They may also enroll in a maximum of 6 credits in the 2011 summer semester to help fulfill their specific program of study requirements, if necessary, but must maintain a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA. It is a requirement of the RCCAP that full-time enrollment is maintained in the fall and spring semesters, but some programs such as Nursing have different full-time enrollment requirements. A Virginia Western Admissions Counselor will help determine the full-time requirements of the student’s specific program of study. Students not maintaining a 2.0 GPA and continuous full-time enrollment will not receive RCCAP funds during any subsequent semester, and will be required to reimburse the program if they drop below the 12 credit minimum and/or 2.0 GPA in any semester.
#3 - If in any semester a student taking the maximum 15 credit hours wishes to drop back to 12 credit hours, he/she must drop the credits by the college’s last date to drop for a refund (see important dates calendar above). Students dropping back to 12 credit hours after the last date to drop for a refund must reimburse the program for the credits dropped.
After the First Semester:
#1 - At the end of the first semester, program participants must pass a minimum of 12 VWCC credit hours with a cumulative 2.0 GPA in order to continue receiving RCCAP funds during the second semester. If a student must take development courses beyond the 4-credit development course allowed the first semester, those credits will not count toward the 12 credit hour minimum.
#2 - Students must complete the 2011-2012 FAFSA and have a complete financial aid file with the VWCC Financial Aid Office. Contact the Financial Aid Office at 857-7331 for more information and assistance in completing your FAFSA. You will receive information from the Educational Foundation about this requirement by mail in early 2011.
#3 - Complete the 2nd year RCCAP application and inform the Educational Foundation if you plan to take courses during the Summer 2011 semester. You will receive information from the Educational Foundation about this requirement by mail in early 2011.
After the Second Semester:
At the end of the second semester, program participants must have passed a minimum of 24 VWCC credit hours with a cumulative 2.0 GPA to continue receiving RCCAP funds during the third semester. If a student must take development courses beyond the 4-credit development course allowed the second semester, those credits will not count toward the 24 credit hour minimum.
After the Third Semester:
At the end of the third semester, participants must have passed 36 VWCC credit hours with a cumulative 2.0 GPA in order to continue receiving RCCAP funds during the fourth semester. Excluding the 4 developmental credits allowed in the first semester and 4 developmental credits allowed in the second semester no developmental credits will count toward the 36 VWCC credit hour minimum.
Q: May I take on-line courses TO FULFILL MY full-time requirement?
A:
You may not take an on-line course during your first semester at Virginia Western.
You may take an on-line course during your second, third or fourth semester or summer class, but you must be approved by VWCC to do so.
Q: Are summer classes covered?
A: Yes, if funds are available. You may enroll in six (6) credits during the 2011 summer semester. You must inform the program of your intention to enroll in summer classes on your 2nd year RCCAP application. Remember RCCAP will not pay for any developmental course credits during the summer semester.
Q: If I am receiving full Financial Aid, Am I still included in RCCAP?
A: Yes! The Community College Access Program covers the full cost of tuition either through the financial aid process or if financial aid does not cover your tuition through the program itself. Participants receiving full financial aid are still required to meet all program deadlines and requirements to maintain eligibility for the program in future semesters. It is also important to remain in the RCCAP program because your financial situation may change from year to year.
Q: What is the Alumni Mentoring Program?
A: The Alumni Mentoring Program is a project of the Virginia Western Alumni Association in support of the RCCAP and its participants. Selected students will be paired with mentors throughout their first year at VWCC. Mentors will contact students to discuss their classes, acclamation to college life, etc., and serve as a referral system to existing college programs and services if needed. For more information on the mentoring program and how RCCAP participants can receive a mentor, contact Erik Williams, Alumni Relations Coordinator at 857-8914 or ewilliams@virginiawestern.edu.
Q: How do I update my contact information?
A: It is imperative that you inform the Educational Foundation of any change to your physical address, email address, telephone, or other important contact information. To update your information please contact Wanda DiMarco at 857-6371 or wdimarco@virginiawestern.edu.
Q:
what is the ccap community services project?
A:
The CCAP Community Service Project for 2010-2011 will be determined at a later date. The 2009-2010 Community Service Project was participation in an American Red Cross Blood Drive. Further information will be provided at a later date.
Q: My student account shows that I have a balance due for my tuition or I am showing no anticipated aid. Will my classes be dropped for non-payment?
A: No. A "do-not-drop" indicator has been placed on all RCCAP students records and you will not be dropped from your classes for non-payment.
