ACCE is an economic development public/private partnership which makes college available debt-free to current year high school, home-schooled and private school graduates who reside in Montgomery County. ACCE supports our youth by making college within reach. With the support of ACCE, students will graduate from NRCC prepared to join the workforce or transfer to a four-year university without college debt. ACCE supports as many students as possible based on available funding.
Students must:
Have at least a 2.5 GPA to qualify and must maintain a 2.5 GPA while in the program.
Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and all FAFSA generated documents.
Qualify for Virginia in-state tuition and reside in Montgomery County at least one year prior to the start of fall semester.
Complete at least 80 Volunteer Hours annually.
Enroll in degree/certificate program that meets federal financial aid requirements (ACCE will only pay for courses within a student’s program of study).
Maintain full-time enrollment of 12 credits minimum, 15 maximum (may not apply to all students depending on DE credit earned in high school).
Pay tuition and fees for credits over 15 (funds will support up to 15 credits during fall and spring semesters).
Purchase their own textbooks (includes ebooks).
Attend an in-person NRCC New Student Orientation session.
Enroll in a College Success Skills course during their first NRCC semester, if required by their program of study.
Not enroll in online courses during their first semester, except College Success Skills or if a required course is offered online.
Pay tuition and fees for any ACCE-sponsored course in which the student is unsuccessful (grades of F, U, or W). This amount must be paid in full or a payment plan established before enrolling in courses for the following semester.
Meet all ACCE deadlines (see below).
Fall - Join the BHS Class of 2027 - NRCC and ACCE Info Group - follow these instructions
Fall (date TBD) - Attend the NRCC and ACCE Information Session during Bruin Block for Seniors
Fall (date TBD) - Attend FAFSA & NRCC/ACCE Information Night for Parents
September 1 - ACCE application opens (www.nr.edu/acce) - students must apply to NRCC prior to submitting the ACCE application (students taking Dual Enrollment courses DO NOT need to reapply)
October 1 - FAFSA application opens (www.fafsa.gov) for 2026-2027 Academic Year
October (date TBD) - Attend, with guardian, FAFSA completion workshop at BHS or NRCC
March 15 - FAFSA "To Do List" deadline for ACCE applicants (list available in student NRCC Account by mid-February):
-ALL items must be completed and required documentation received by NRCC
-see the Log-In Instruction page or Mrs. Webster if you need help accessing your NRCC account
April 1 - ACCE Award Notifications sent to student and parent email: NOT a binding agreement
-all awards are contingent upon end of year grades
Late April/Early May - ACCE Volunteer Hours Meeting at BHS (date TBD):
-Volunteer hours must be served at a non-profit approved location as assigned by Montgomery County's Volunteer Coordinator, Karen Anders: andersk@montgomerycountyva.gov
May (date TBD) - Attend MANDATORY MCPS ACCE Volunteer Fair
- students will have the opportunity to learn more about volunteer organizations and will sign-up to serve at a location of their choice
June 15 - Deadline to register for fall courses at NRCC - start checking email DAILY after course registration
June - August - Attend an in-person New Student Orientation Session at NRCC
August 1 - Deadline to complete minimum of 40 volunteer hours - it is HIGHLY recommended that students complete all 80 hours prior to the start of classes; however, 40 is the minimum requirement
January 5 - Deadline to complete remainder of volunteer hours (for a total of 80 hours)