ROANOKE —Virginia Western Community College and the Virginia Western Educational Foundation announce the addition of Roanoke County to the Community College Access Program (CCAP) for the 2013-14 academic year. Along with last week’s additions of Botetourt and Craig Counties, CCAP now extends to the college’s entire service region and gives local high school graduates the opportunity to attend college tuition free.
Administered by the Virginia Western Educational Foundation, CCAP is currently available in Franklin County, Salem City and Roanoke City. Launched through a Salem pilot program in 2008, and expanded to Roanoke City in 2009 and Franklin County in 2011, CCAP impacted 176 students during the 2012-13 academic year. CCAP for Roanoke, Botetourt and Craig Counties will be pilot programs for 2013-14.
“We wish to thank Roanoke County for continuing to be a great partner and becoming part of CCAP. A region-wide program is a momentous achievement for Virginia Western and all the localities we serve. Our local economy will directly benefit by having a better educated workforce,” said Dr. Robert H. Sandel, President of Virginia Western. “The cost of higher education will no longer be a barrier to high-quality students seeking to better themselves and achieve their life goals.”
Through CCAP, college is possible for high school graduates in all the localities off Virginia Western’s service region who meet program guidelines.
“We are excited to be part of a pilot in the CCAP program,” said Dr. Lorraine Lange, Superintendent of Roanoke County Public Schools. “Roanoke County Schools has always had a strong partnership with Virginia Western. This pilot will only strengthen that partnership and bring new opportunities to our students.”
The Virginia Western Educational Foundation funds CCAP through the support of local governments, businesses, foundations and individuals. Roanoke County CCAP is a partnership between Roanoke County and the Virginia Western Educational Foundation; Botetourt County CCAP is a partnership between the Botetourt Education Foundation and the Virginia Western Educational Foundation; and Craig County CCAP is a partnership between Craig County and the Virginia Western Educational Foundation.
“Educators who I’ve talked to throughout the state are amazed by the generosity of Virginia Western. I’m so thankful to Dr. Sandel and the college’s administration for giving this opportunity to our students,” said C. Hampton Gray, Superintendent of Craig County Public Schools. “The gift of higher education is life-changing, community-changing and generational-changing.”
CCAP sponsors include: Advance Auto Parts, Botetourt Education Foundation, Carilion Clinic, Craig County, Franklin County, Ingersoll-Rand, Kroger, LewisGale Regional Health System, MFA, Quantum Medical, Richfield Retirement, Roanoke City and Roanoke City Public Schools, Roanoke County, Roanoke Women’s Foundation, Salem City, Stop-In Food Stores, Trane, and the Virginia Tobacco Commission.
“We are extremely excited about Roanoke County coming on board, as this means the College’s entire service region is covered by CCAP,” said Ed Hall, President of the Virginia Western Educational Foundation Board. “For donors, this means their contributions make an impact valley-wide.”
“As CCAP came along, and we saw the resources that were available to students in the region, we knew we had to make it happen for our students.” said Dr. Anthony S. Brads, Superintendent of Botetourt County Public Schools. “We are very excited about 2013. We are starting small but we are looking forward to growing the program. We thank Dr. Sandel and the Botetourt Education Foundation for all their help.”
Graduating seniors of participating high schools are eligible to apply for CCAP. Applicants must have attended high school in a participating locality for their junior and senior year, and have been a resident of the same participating locality for their junior and senior year. The entire application, with instructions and checklists for each locality is available at www.virginiawestern.edu/ccap. Students applying to the program are required to apply to Virginia Western, complete the financial aid process, take the Virginia Western placement test, and complete the online CCAP application. The deadline to apply and submit all required documentation is March 29.
“Virginia Western’s goal is to provide the opportunity for any local high school graduate to gain a college education. With the addition of Roanoke, Botetourt and Craig Counties, and the expansion of CCAP region-wide, that goal is attainable,” Sandel said. “The continued support of private individuals, companies and governments will ensure that the Roanoke region remains economically strong for generations to come.”
