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ACCE

ACCESS TO COMMUNITY COLLEGE EDUCATION

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ACCE Frequently Asked Questions:

  • Q: What is ACCE?
    A: ACCE stands for Access to Community College Education. ACCE is an economic development public/private partnership that makes college available debt-free to high school and home- schooled graduates by funding NRCC tuition for two years. With the support of ACCE, students can graduate from NRCC prepared to join the workforce or transfer to a four-year college or university without college debt. ACCE supports as many students as possible based on student need and funds available for the program. Students who receive ACCE funding also participate in volunteer service in their community.
  • Q: Do I qualify for the ACCE program?
    A: Visit the ACCE Website for a list of eligibility requirements.
  • Q: How do I apply for the ACCE program?
    A: To apply for ACCE, visit the ACCE website, and click on “ACCE Application,” and complete the application.
  • Q: What are the ACCE program deadlines?
    A: Visit the ACCE website for the ACCE timeline. Each of the requirements listed in the timeline must be completed by the stated deadline to receive ACCE funding.
  • Q: What happens if I miss an ACCE deadline to submit my application or other requirements?
    A: All ACCE deadlines must be met, and if you miss a deadline, you will lose your eligibility for the ACCE program.
  • Q: May my parent or guardian discuss my ACCE status with NRCC faculty or staff?
    A: No. FERPA (Family Education Rights and Privacy Act) does not allow us to discuss your academic and financial aid status with anyone else. If you would like your parent/guardian to discuss your ACCE status with NRCC staff, students must sign and submit the FERPA Student Information Release form to Consent to the NRCC Admissions and Records office.
  • Q: When should I start/finish my volunteer service hours?
    A: Volunteer service hours will begin after you attend a locality-specific ACCE Volunteer fair. These are typically held in late April/early May. You will be expected to complete 80 hours (100 for Giles County) each year you are in the ACCE program. Visit the ACCE website to see the specific dates by which the volunteer service hours must be completed.
  • Q: Where can I complete my required ACCE volunteer service hours?
    A: ACCE volunteer service hours are managed and assigned by individual localities. All volunteer service questions should be directed to the following individuals:
  • Q: What do ACCE funds cover?
    A: ACCE funds may cover the cost of tuition and high-cost course fees up to 15 credits.
  • Q: Will ACCE funds cover the cost of my textbooks?
    A: No. You are responsible for the cost of your textbooks including Follett Access fees for digital and e-textbooks.
  • Q: May I use federal and/or state financial aid awards to cover the cost of textbooks and additional credits and then use ACCE funding to cover the cost of tuition?
    A: No. All federal and state financial aid awards must be applied toward tuition first. ACCE funds will cover any additional tuition not covered by federal/state financial aid, up to 15 credits. Students who receive full federal/state financial aid will not receive ACCE funds. Tuition costs beyond 15 credits and other related college expenses, including textbooks, Follett Access fees, and supplies, are the responsibility of the student.
  • Q: Can I qualify for an NRCC Educational Foundation Scholarship as an ACCE student?
    A: No. You can apply for an Educational Foundation Scholarship and the ACCE program, but you cannot receive both awards. Educational Foundation staff will review applications and award funding based on which opportunity will most benefit you.
  • Q: May I use outside scholarships to pay for textbooks and additional credits?
    A: Yes! You are encouraged to apply for scholarships outside of NRCC that can be used for any expenses beyond 15 credits of tuition, including textbooks and related college supplies. High school counselors should have a list of available outside scholarship opportunities.
  • Q: May I communicate with NRCC faculty and staff using my personal email?
    A: As a high school student applying for the ACCE program, NRCC Educational Foundation staff can communicate with you through your personal email account provided in the ACCE application. However, after June 15 (upon high school graduation and registration of NRCC courses), we will only contact you using your NRCC student email account. If you have problems logging into your NRCC email account, please contact the NRCC Help Desk at nr4help@nr.edu or 540-674-3600, ext. 4400.
  • Q: May I take a gap year from school, then return to participate in the ACCE program?
    A: No. You cannot take a year off or a semester off and still participate in ACCE. You must begin the ACCE program the Fall semester after your high school graduation or home school completion.
    *Exceptions may be made for students who are entering military service and must be out of the area to complete their basic training.
  • Q: Who do I contact with questions about my FAFSA?
    A: If you have questions about your FAFSA or federal/state financial aid, please contact Katie Brown in the Educational Foundation Office at kbrown@nr.edu or 540-674-3618, or the NRCC Financial Aid Office at finaid@nr.edu or 540-674-3615.
  • Q: Who do I contact with questions about class schedule changes?
    A: If you have questions about class schedule changes, please contact your assigned Student Services Advisor or the NRCC Advising Office at advising@nr.edu or 540-674-3609.
  • Q: May I participate in the ACCE program if I pay tuition to attend a school district that participates in the ACCE program, but I live in a locality that does not participate in the program?
    A: No. ACCE eligibility is based solely on residency in participating localities (Floyd, Giles, Montgomery, and Pulaski Counties and Radford City). If you do not live in a participating locality, you are not eligible for the ACCE program. If you live in a participating locality but attend a school outside of the participating localities, you will still be eligible for ACCE because of residency location.
  • Q: May I attend another college/university my first year then transfer to NRCC and participate in the ACCE program for my second year of college?
    A: No. You must begin the ACCE program the fall semester immediately following your high school graduation or home school completion.

Do you have additional questions? If so, please contact the NRCC Educational Foundation Office at foundation@nr.edu or 540-674-3618.