Grants
A grant is a type of financial aid that does not require repayment. Brightpoint participates in several need-based federal- and state-funded grant programs. Students who have completed a bachelor’s degree are not eligible to receive any of the types of aid below.
When you complete your FAFSA, the Financial Aid office uses it to determine your eligibility for grant programs. If you qualify for grants, you will receive a message to your Student Center detailing the grants you are eligible to receive.
The following need-based grant programs are available at Brightpoint:
Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is an award for undergraduates with no prior bachelor’s or professional degree. Eligibility is primarily based on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) but is also affected by enrollment status. The EFC must be $5,846 or less. The maximum award for the 2021-2022 academic year is $6,495, with a minimum of $336. A minimum of 12 credit hours each semester is required to receive full eligibility, with pro-rated awards going to students with less than 12 credits.
FSEOG (Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant)
FSEOG is for undergraduate Federal Pell Grant recipients with exceptional financial need (i.e., students with the lowest EFCs). Students may receive up to $2,000 a year depending on eligibility and funding level. Preference is given to out-of-state students whose tuition charges are significantly higher.
Virginia Commonwealth Grant
Virginia Commonwealth Grant is a state-funded grant that provides assistance to undergraduate Virginia residents to a maximum of tuition and fees per academic year. A minimum of 6 credit hours is required each semester in order to receive Virginia Commonwealth Grant.
VGAP (Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program)
VGAP awards range from $500 up to tuition, fees and books and are available to undergraduate Virginia residents that graduated from a Virginia high school with a 2.5 GPA or better. If the student earned his/her diploma via an accredited Home School program, then they must also provide proof that they achieved an SAT Composite score of at least 980 or an ACT Composite score of at least 19.
- Completion of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and continued demonstration of financial need
- Continued enrollment in a program leading to a degree
- Continued domiciliary residency in Virginia
- Academic achievement of at least 2.0 cumulative grade point average
- Maintain full-time status (at least 12 hours) each semester of the academic year
- Maintain continuous enrollment (not counting summer sessions)
- Advance class levels upon completion of each full year of award received (i.e. a first-year student would need to earn 30 credits by their second year to remain eligible).
Please note: Students are required to submit a copy of their final high school transcript to the financial aid office for VGAP consideration.
Virginia Part-time Tuition Assistance Program
Virginia Part-time Tuition Assistance Program is a VCCS, state-funded grant, which provides assistance to undergraduate Virginia residents to a maximum of tuition and fees per academic year. A minimum of 1 credit hour and a maximum of 8 credit hours are required each semester in order to receive Virginia Part-time Tuition Assistance Program.
VCCS Tuition Grant
The VCCS Tuition Grant is a state-funded grant program that provides tuition and fees at any Virginia community college for high school graduates or general education development (GED) completers in foster care, in the custody of a social services agency, or considered a special needs adoption.