How to Apply for Financial Aid
New or Transfer Students
All eligible students can apply for financial aid. The amount you receive is determined by your eligibility. Learn more about determining your eligibility.
1. Apply to Brightpoint
Complete the online application and select a major.
2. Get an FSA ID
Apply for an FSA-ID, if you don’t already have one. You will need the FSA-ID to electronically sign your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and other federal financial aid documents. If you are dependent, your parents will need to apply for an FSA-ID as well.
3. Fill Out the FAFSA
You can complete the FAFSA online. Remember to include Brightpoint’s school code on the FAFSA; if you do not include our school code, we will not receive your application. Brightpoint Community College’s school code is 004004.
At Brightpoint, Federal Direct Student Loans are not automatically awarded to students who file a FAFSA. To apply for a Federal Direct Student Loan, students must meet basic eligibility criteria and complete these steps:
- First-time applicants need to complete Federal Direct Student Loan Entrance Counseling.
- First-time applicants need to complete a Federal Direct Student Loan Master Promissory Note.
- All applicants print a Loan Request Form. Complete the form and submit it to the Financial Aid Office via mail, fax or in-person.
4. Monitor your myBrightpoint Account
Brightpoint uses the Student Center Messaging in myBrightpoint to communicate with students regarding financial aid. If you have outstanding information needed to process your award, the Financial Aid Office will send a message alert to your Student Center and the items will be listed on your Student Center “To-Do” list. As items are completed, they will be removed from this list. When all required information is received and/or your aid is awarded, the Financial Aid Office will send a message alert to your Student Center with important details regarding your specific financial aid award(s). An email will be sent to your Brightpoint email account as well to notify you of the message alert.
Please Note: Initial awards made prior to the end of the add/drop period are based on a projected full-time enrollment. After the add/drop period, your award amounts will adjust based on the number of credits you are actually enrolled in and will be reduced accordingly if you are not a full-time student. An additional award message is sent when changes (reductions and/or cancelations) are made to your award.
5. Register for Classes
Using the online course schedule and college catalog, select your courses and determine if there are course prerequisites and/or required placement tests for the courses you would like to take. If there are, make sure you satisfy those requirements before registering for your classes.
You can then register for classes online using the Student Information System in myBrightpoint during specified registration periods.
We recommend that you have funding in place to pay for tuition and fees before you register for classes.
Returning Students
Financial aid is not automatically renewed each year. Interested students should complete a FAFSA for the next academic year when it goes live on October 1. Students should monitor their myBrightpoint after completing the FAFSA for important message alerts regarding next steps. You’ll receive a renewal reminder each year before the new FAFSA goes live.
Students Ineligible to File a FAFSA
Virginians who are nonimmigrants, undocumented, have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status or are otherwise ineligible to file the FAFSA and would like to be considered for state financial aid may complete the State Aid Application at www.vasaapp.org.
Need Help?
Brightpoint offers financial aid and student accounts support through our Help Hub.