The Blue Ridge Community College Student Outreach and Resource (SOAR) center helps students connect with appropriate BRCC and community resources to deal with life challenges.The SOAR center is dedicated to helping students navigate challenges so that they can continue their educational pursuits successfully.
Services
Services include, but are not limited to:
Single Stop – This free, confidential screening tool takes about 15 minutes to complete. It’s the first step in accessing a variety of benefit programs and support resources. The SOAR Coordinator will provide guidance to help students through the process. Click the green “Let’s get started” button to begin.
TimelyCare – Offers a variety of resources to BRCC students and employees, including self care coaching videos, 24/7 TalkNow mental health support, and access to three FREE counseling sessions (additional counseling is available at reasonable rates). Register using your BRCC/VCCS credentials.
Lunch 2 Go – In an effort to help BRCC students with nutritional needs, we offer this program for qualifying students. Meal vouchers are provided for cafeteria use on days the student attends on-campus classes. Visit the SOAR Center in Room G164A for more information.
The Student Success Center – Empowers students to achieve their educational and career goals, by providing tools and resources to support students to overcome barriers to success. The offices of Career Services, Student Accessibility, Student Success, and the SOAR Center are located in the Student Success Center, in Houff G164, directly across from the cafeteria.
Temporary Emergency Financial Assistance – This program is available to BRCC students who meet defined eligibility requirements and demonstrate need through supporting documentation. The SOAR Coordinator assists students through the application process.
Temporary Financial Assistance
Through funding provided by the BRCC Educational Foundation, the SOAR Center provides temporary emergency financial assistance for BRCC students with identified need.
Preferred Eligibility Requirements
- Be actively enrolled and attending class
- 12 credit hours completed
- Earned at least a 2.0 GPA
- Demonstrate a clearly defined emergency or unexpected situation
- BRCC must be the applicant’s primary institution
- May not be on Financial Aid suspension
- May not owe money to any Virginia Community College
- Students enrolled in FastForward programs will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis
Application for Assistance
Qualified applicants should submit the following documents to the SOAR office:
- Completed Temporary Emergency Financial Assistance Application Form – PDF (requires Acrobat Reader)
- Current BRCC transcript (unofficial)
- Copy of Financial Aid award
- Copies of any bills for which you are requesting assistance
Evaluation Process
Requests for assistance will be evaluated and approved by the Review Committee on a case-by-case basis. All decisions are final. Applicants will be notified of the committee’s decision by phone or email.
How You Can Help
Consider making a donation to BRCC’s Educational Foundation, earmarking contributions for BRCC’s Student Outreach & Resource Center (SOAR).
Contact
Donna Clem
SOAR Coordinator
Houff Student Center
Room G164A (Directly Across from the Cafeteria)
(540) 453-0253
soar@brcc.edu