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Find Your
PATH
To free tuition in southwest Virginia
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Tuition-Free Education
In Southwest Virginia
Our region offers incredible opportunities for local students to pursue education and job training TUITION-FREE through programs at four local colleges:
This site connects to your local community college, helping you take the next step to a brighter future.
Ready to find your path?
Where do you live?
In Southwest Virginia
Simply select your county or city of residence, and we’ll guide you to your local community college!
Note: Dickenson and Smyth counties are covered by two colleges. Make sure to read the resulting information for both!
Mountain Empire
Community College
Mountain Empire Community College (MECC), located near Big Stone Gap, Virginia, serves the residents of Dickenson, Lee, Scott, and Wise counties, as well as the City of Norton. As part of the Virginia Community College System, MECC provides affordable education with tuition that is significantly lower than other regional institutions. Their mission is to provide the region with accessible, quality higher education, workforce training, and community programs to ensure an educated population and globally competitive workforce.
The college offers financial aid through its Promise Program, scholarships and grants, ensuring that 96% of students receive assistance without the burden of student loans. MECC’s Promise Program allows students graduating from public schools or recognized home associations in the service region to attend tuition-free. This opportunity makes higher education accessible and affordable for the community.
Southwest Virginia
Community College
Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC), located in Cedar Bluff, Virginia, has been serving Buchanan, Russell, Tazewell, and parts of Dickenson counties since 1968. As part of the Virginia Community College System, SWCC offers a variety of academic and workforce training programs designed to meet the needs of the region. Their mission is to provide quality educational and cultural enrichment opportunities for lifelong learners, workforce, and the community.
The SWCC Educational Foundation administers nearly 300 scholarships, with opportunities available for students meeting a 2.0 GPA or higher and enrolling in at least 6 credit hours. Additional support includes the Last Dollar Scholarship, which covers remaining tuition and book costs after financial aid. With a mission to transform lives and strengthen communities, SWCC is dedicated to student-centered learning, inclusiveness, and excellence in education.
Virginia Highlands
Community College
Virginia Highlands Community College (VHCC), located in Abingdon, Virginia, has been proudly serving the region as part of the Virginia Community College System since its establishment in 1967. The college offers a variety of short and long-term education options, including: college transfer, registered nursing, engineering, electrical, welding, CDL, and much more!
VHCC has multiple financial aid and scholarship opportunities for students to attend college for little or no cost. Those opportunities include two “promise” programs that cover full tuition and fees for qualified students who have recently graduated from high school in Smyth and Washington Counties. Other tuition-free scholarships are also available through the VHCC Foundation.
Everyone starts here…and YOU can too!
This county is covered by two colleges. Make sure to read the resulting information for both!
Mountain Empire
Community College
Mountain Empire Community College (MECC), located near Big Stone Gap, Virginia, serves the residents of Dickenson, Lee, Scott, and Wise counties, as well as the City of Norton. As part of the Virginia Community College System, MECC provides affordable education with tuition that is significantly lower than other regional institutions. Their mission is to provide the region with accessible, quality higher education, workforce training, and community programs to ensure an educated population and globally competitive workforce.
The college offers financial aid through its Promise Program, scholarships and grants, ensuring that 96% of students receive assistance without the burden of student loans. MECC’s Promise Program allows students graduating from public schools or recognized home associations in the service region to attend tuition-free. This opportunity makes higher education accessible and affordable for the community.
Southwest Virginia
Community College
Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC), located in Cedar Bluff, Virginia, has been serving Buchanan, Russell, Tazewell, and parts of Dickenson counties since 1968. As part of the Virginia Community College System, SWCC offers a variety of academic and workforce training programs designed to meet the needs of the region. Their mission is to provide quality educational and cultural enrichment opportunities for lifelong learners, workforce, and the community.
The SWCC Educational Foundation administers nearly 300 scholarships, with opportunities available for students meeting a 2.0 GPA or higher and enrolling in at least 6 credit hours. Additional support includes the Last Dollar Scholarship, which covers remaining tuition and book costs after financial aid. With a mission to transform lives and strengthen communities, SWCC is dedicated to student-centered learning, inclusiveness, and excellence in education.
Wytheville
Community College
Wytheville Community College (WCC) located in Wytheville, Virginia, is part of the Virginia Community College System and has been delivering in-demand, higher education programs and workforce skills training to Southwest Virginia and beyond since 1963. WCC offers a variety of programs including healthcare, technical trades, transfer, and many more.
WCC has multiple financial aid and scholarship opportunities for students to attend WCC for little or no cost. Those opportunities include three “promise” programs that provide full tuition and fees for those qualified students who have recently graduated from high school in WCC’s service region: Wythe-Bland Foundation Scholarship, Twin County Community Foundation Scholarship, and Smyth County Promise Scholarship.
Find your path and let us help you reach your destination.
Begin Here. Become Anything.
This county is covered by two colleges. Make sure to read the resulting information for both!
Virginia Highlands
Community College
Virginia Highlands Community College (VHCC), located in Abingdon, Virginia, has been proudly serving the region as part of the Virginia Community College System since its establishment in 1967. The college offers a variety of short and long-term education options, including: college transfer, registered nursing, engineering, electrical, welding, CDL, and much more!
VHCC has multiple financial aid and scholarship opportunities for students to attend college for little or no cost. Those opportunities include two “promise” programs that cover full tuition and fees for qualified students who have recently graduated from high school in Smyth and Washington Counties. Other tuition-free scholarships are also available through the VHCC Foundation.
Everyone starts here…and YOU can too!
Wytheville
Community College
Wytheville Community College (WCC) located in Wytheville, Virginia, is part of the Virginia Community College System and has been delivering in-demand, higher education programs and workforce skills training to Southwest Virginia and beyond since 1963. WCC offers a variety of programs including healthcare, technical trades, transfer, and many more.
WCC has multiple financial aid and scholarship opportunities for students to attend WCC for little or no cost. Those opportunities include three “promise” programs that provide full tuition and fees for those qualified students who have recently graduated from high school in WCC’s service region: Wythe-Bland Foundation Scholarship, Twin County Community Foundation Scholarship, and Smyth County Promise Scholarship.
Find your path and let us help you reach your destination.
Begin Here. Become Anything.
Still Need help?
You can connect directly with a representative from each college using the contact information below.
Mountain Empire Community College
Sherry Whitaker,
Financial Aid Coordinator
Southwest Virginia Community College
Heather Riley,
Financial Aid Coordinator
Virginia Highlands Community College
Donna Price,
Financial Aid Director
Wytheville
Community College
Natalie Byrd,
Financial Aid Financial Services Specialist