Laurel Ridge Community College Financial Aid & Scholarships

Our conversation today with Guy Curtis, Director of Marketing with Laurel Ridge Community College included Kaitlyn Lambert, Assistant Director of Financial Aid for the college. Our discussion spanned various financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, and specific programs like G3 and VASA, aimed at making education accessible for all students. Guy Curtis shares that Laurel Ridge has numerous undiscovered scholarship opportunities and encourages students to apply. We talk about the misconception that, due to low tuition costs at community colleges, people overlook additional financial aid.  Caitlin explains the importance of starting with the FAFSA application, which Caitlin describes as a gateway to multiple scholarships. She mentions that with one application at Laurel Ridge, students can potentially qualify for up to 180 different scholarships. Guy delves into the G3 program, a state-funded initiative that provides additional funding to help students pay little or nothing for their education and highlights that the program extends across various fields and addresses local industry needs. Caitlin introduces the early childhood education funding program offered by the Davenport Institute. This financial aid helps students pursuing teaching in early childhood education with additional benefits to cover extra costs like transportation. She also talks about the Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) program, which provides state funding for students with different immigration statuses who wouldn't normally qualify for FAFSA, including undocumented and DACA students. Caitlin emphasizes the significance of completing the FAFSA or VASA application and reassures that the financial aid office is there to assist with the process both virtually and in-person. She notes that there is a priority date (July 1st) but encourages students to apply as soon as possible. Guy speaks about the personalized service model at Laurel Ridge, where students are assigned coaches to help guide them through the enrollment and financial aid process. This ensures that students receive one-on-one support. Caitlin reassures that the application process is straightforward, emphasizing the importance of applying and seeking help if needed. She mentions in-person and high school outreach efforts to assist students further. Learn more about financial aid opportunities at Laurel Ridge Community College by clicking here.