Counselor Guide

Go Further!

Over 100 years of Christian higher education

C O U N S E L O R G U I D E

Of all the decisions your students will make in life, their decision about which university to choose will impact their path significantly. So many times students associate university education with just their career path, which is critically important. But there is so much more to it. They will make friendships that last a lifetime, and may be among those who meet their spouse along the way. It is a time when their moral and ethical strength will be challenged, and they will come into their own in many ways. They have to find the school that meets their needs — mind, body, and spirit — and fits like family. That’s why we appreciate you partnering with us during this integral time! Here at Bluefield University, we provide students with a top-rated, award-winning education; some of the most affordable tuition costs among private, Christian colleges; and more than 40 fields of study. But we go well beyond this to answer the call to go further. We create an environment where you can define your beliefs, explore your passion, discover the difference you will make in the world, and find your path of leadership. Our heart and our mission drive us, and we hope that they will impact your students’ futures, too. It’s the freedom to think for ourselves and a responsibility to act on behalf of others… To create leaders who know that faith and fact work together to reveal true purpose and to give life meaning... This is higher learning. This is greater knowing. This is what makes us human. And creating this thriving community where you can explore, discover, and lead is what makes us Bluefield. Thank you for helping your students discover Bluefield University! We hope they decide to join us and go further with their future! Sincerely, Thank you for being part of the team… You’re changing lives!

[Insert Karl’s Sig]

You’re never a number... or just another face in the crowd.

Quality, private education for everyone

At Bluefield University, our commitment to accessible education drives our mission to make private, not-for-profit education attainable for everyone.

Here, you’re family!

Through a combination of dedicated financial aid programs, strategic partnerships, and a student-centered approach, we strive to eliminate financial, social, and educational barriers and ensure that all motivated learners can access the high-quality education we offer. We are committed to work WITH you to ensure your success for your future!

Going to college is an investment. However, your educational and career goals should not be beyond your reach. That’s why 99% of our on-campus students receive tuition assistance to make college affordable. Our financial aid counselors are available to help you and your family every step of the way to discuss decisions with you regarding the affordability of your Christ centered education.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS

Go Further!

Make your investment

We understand that quality education is a serious financial investment. At Bluefield University, we feel that students from our local area, across Virginia and beyond deserve affordable college tuition options to earn a degree.

ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS Bluefield University awards academic scholarships, which range from $3,000 to $13,000, to degree seeking students who meet the academic performance criteria for a specific scholarship. The number of scholarships offered is limited, so students have only 45 days to accept their award to ensure they receive it. That’s why we encourage students to apply for admittance and financial aid early. Academic scholarships are renewable for four years if you are enrolled full time and you maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. Your GPA is used to determine the amount of the scholarship. HONORS SCHOLARSHIP Incoming students have the opportunity to apply to the Honors Program. To qualify for the Honors Program, students must have a minimum of 25 ACT (composite score), 1140 SAT (a combination of math and verbal scores), or be eligible for the Presidential Scholarship. Students can apply and submit essays online. Students who are admitted into the program may qualify for up to $1,000 scholarships that are renewable each year of participation. For more information, email Dr. Rob Merritt.

BLUEFIELD ACCESS SCHOLARSHIP

Bluefield University awards the Bluefield Access Scholarship to non-athlete students based on need. Students must be accepted to the University and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be assessed for this scholarship. Virginia students not eligible to complete the FAFSA may submit Virginia’s Alternative State Aid Application (VASAA) instead. PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARSHIP Each year, Bluefield University awards two full-tuition scholarships, available for only two (2) new freshmen. Potential recipients will be asked to provide two letters of recommendation, come to campus for an interview, and to write an essay that will be reviewed by select faculty members. The scholarship is renewable for up to four years. Students must meet the following: full-time enrollment, maintain Bluefield University cumulative GPA of 3.5 (reviewed at the end of each spring semester), continual enrollment (excluding summers), and 45 hours of tutoring per semester during Junior and Senior years.

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COMMONWEALTH CONNECTION SCHOLARSHIP Helping Community Students Go Further! Our best tuition plan for students from the local communities we were founded to serve 100 years ago. Students who qualify will pay half the regular tuition rate. Students must have at least a 2.75-grade point average and live in a school district within a 45-mile radius of campus in one of the following West Virginia or Virginia counties:

99% over

OF OUR DEGREE-SEEKING STUDENTS RECEIVE SCHOLARSHIPS

WEST VIRGINIA:

McDowell Mercer Monroe

Raleigh Summers Wyoming

WV

VA

All Counties VIRGINIA:

$27,876 Commonwealth Connection Scholarship Tuition Rate $8,938

Chandler Hicks “Everyone from my counselor, the financial aid office, to my coach were so helpful when my family and I put together our plan to pay for college.”

SPECIAL TUITION Starting Tuition $27,876

Commonwealth Connection Scholarship (50%) Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG) * NEW Tuition

–$13,938

–$5,000

Learn more!

 $8,938

* Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG) is a state grant for residents of Virginia. 3

Go Further... in your Education

In 2020, as a global pandemic impacted the healthcare industry and life for billions, three schools in Virginia joined together under the umbrella of an educational foundation. Their partnership was formed by aligning individual missions to impact the health and wellness of underserved populations to serve a larger population in need throughout the Southeastern United States and across the world.

Now joined together as sister institutions, our educational trifecta offers dynamic and market-ready degree programs from the certificate level up to doctoral degrees in order to supply first-rate healthcare and service to those our graduates serve. Our partnership gives you an opportunity like no other school to be prepared for admittance to the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine , the Appalachian College of Pharmacy or many other health related programs at Bluefield University . This is YOUR university if your future is healthcare.

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SCHOOL of NURSING

Our vision is to develop leaders in nursing whose actions, discoveries, and voices lead to strengthen and transform the healthcare of individuals and communities worldwide. Our desire is for nursing students to leave BU not only knowing their own purpose but equipped with the tools to help enhance and save lives, while leading with purpose for others around them.

Majors: Pre-Nursing Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

COL LEGE of SCIENCES

We work diligently to expose our students to a variety of study topics within the field of science in order to prepare them thoroughly for their future career goals. These fields require a wide breadth of knowledge and skill. Students benefit from personal instruction with highly-renown, accomplished Christian faculty who seek to inspire, motivate, and care for each student. Our degree programs boast a high success rate in effectively preparing students for further education in health professions and graduate programs, as well as preparing others for entry directly into the workforce.

Majors: Biology (BS) Chemistry (BS) Mathematics (BS) Exercise & Sport Science (BS)

SCHOOL of CRIMINAL JUSTICE

We offer challenging classes and instruction that analyze the legal, social, economic, and political contexts that shape our approach to criminal justice. The programs blend primary courses in criminal justice with courses focused on leadership and management at the executive level for a quality education that goes beyond the textbook and impacts their journeys for years to come.

Majors: Criminal Justice (BA/BS) Forensic Science (BS)

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SCHOOL of EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

Majors:

We believe highly effective practitioners must be reflective professionals who best impact those they serve because their work is based on the continual improvement of the individual at their own pace. Students who are working to become counselors, educators, and leaders experience space for reflection, critical thinking, and self-evaluation within each class in our degree program in order to develop this practice.

Business Education (6-12) (BS) Teacher Education (PreK-6) (BS) Music Education (PreK-12, Vocal/Choral Music) (BA)

Music Education (PreK-12, Instrumental Music) (BA) Special Education (General Curriculum Grades K-12) (BS) Psychology and Human Services (BA/BS)

SCHOOL of ARTS AND LETTERS

Our school is steeped in the rich process of exploring, understanding, and appreciating other times, places, and cultures. Through creative experiences of performance, art, writing, appreciation of literature and the arts, investigations into history, and inquiries into belief stimulated by Philosophy and Christian Studies, we celebrate centuries of human accomplishments in the realms of the aesthetic, the intellect, and the spirit.

Majors: Christian Studies (BA) Communication Arts (BA/BS) English (BA) Music (BA) Art and Design (BA) Graphic Communication (BA) History (BS)

CAUD I L L SCHOOL of BUSINESS We offer undergraduate and graduate students a unique opportunity to experience sound academic instruction delivered by faculty who have both educational training and hands-on professional experience. This inspiring form of teaching offers a practical perspective to students embarking on a career in the business world, allowing them to ask pointed questions and research career paths with real-time feedback from professors and allow for one-one-one training.

Majors: Business

Administration (BS) Cybersecurity (BS)

Organizational Leadership (BS)

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High school students who are at least 16 years of age may complete up to twelve credit hours per semester (fall, spring, summer) at the current Early College Program rate until a point at which the student either graduates from high school, completes 62 college credits, and/or completes the associate’s degree, whichever comes first. High School students who are 15 years of age may complete up to six credit hours per semester (fall, spring, summer). High school students who are under the age of 15 may be eligible to participate in the Early College program if they can submit a minimum official ACT score of 18 or a minimum SAT score of 940. These students may complete up to six credit hours per semester (fall, spring, summer). EARLY COLLEGE High school students who are at least 16 years of age may complete up to twelve credit hours per semester (fall, spring, summer) at the current Early College Program rate until a point at which the student either graduates from high school, compl tes 62 college credits, and/or completes the associate’s degree, whichever comes first. High School students who are 15 years of age may complete up to six credit hours per semest r (fall, spring, summer). High school students who are under the age of 15 may be eligible to participate in the Early College program if they can submit a minimum offici l ACT score of 18 or a minimum SAT score of 940. These students may complete up to six credit hours per semester (fall, spring, summer). EARLY COLLEGE PROGRAM

Homeschool friendly

Available to students entering their Sophomore year of High School

Offered 100% O N L I N E with 8 week terms

Affordable at only: $100 per credit hour

Earn an Associate’s Degree while in High School

Apply today!

CONTACT US Visit bluefield.edu/online or contact Admissions at 800-872-0176 or admissions@bluefield.edu Bluefield University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award certificates, associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and master’s degrees.

Go Further PRE PROFESSIONAL P R O G R A M S At Bluefield University, we believe in taking students further by forging strategic partnerships that open doors to successful careers in law, medicine, and pharmacy. Our pre-professional programs are not just about education; they are about opportunities. Through our collaborations with partner institutions, we provide our students with unparalleled access to real-world experiences, resources, and a seamless transition from undergraduate to professional programs in today’s most in-demand professions.

APPLY TODAY

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Go Further...

with Campus Life

Step onto the Bluefield campus, and you’ll understand why we love calling this place home. The natural beauty and wonder of the Appalachian Mountains surround our campus and frame the experience in a quaint and wonderful reflection of creation. It’s hard to imagine a more picturesque and inspiring location as a backdrop to world-changing education and life experiences. If you’re looking for a dynamic campus life that feels like family, welcome home! From hanging out in all our favorite spots on campus to exploring the rich outdoor offerings of escape and beauty, you’ll love life, and all the memories made at Bluefield. YOur home away from home...

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Go Further... as a RAM

Whether it's through athletics, campus ministries, music, or theatre; joining an organization opens many doors to students by offering opportunities for leadership, community service, social activities, career networking, and, of course, friendship and fellowship. Whether you’re interested in student government or the great outdoors, there’s something for everyone.

Coed Sport: Cheerleading

Women's Sports: Basketball Cross Country Golf Soccer Softball Tennis Track & Field Volleyball

Men's Sports: Baseball Basketball Cross Country Football Golf Soccer Tennis Track & Field

Volleyball Wrestling

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Go Further...

i n Relationships

Our vision has always been to prioritize relationships, which means our students develop intentional and personal connections with their instructors, administrative staff, and especially their fellow students. We love the fact that every face on campus is a familiar one, and deep friendships abound. The time spent with others during the years of higher education is some of the most important of our lives — we build friendships and relationships that will endure for a lifetime. And while diversity is something we take great pride in at Bluefield — and love the tapestry woven together from different backgrounds and cultures — we also cherish the bond in our relationships created by the single thread of our shared faith.

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and Spiritual Life

We are committed to providing a strong Christian environment where students engage with faculty and staff who genuinely care for their well-being. Our faculty and staff strive to create and maintain an environment that reflects our life in Christ. We encourage students to use their unique, God-given gifts and abilities. We seek to foster growth in the areas of spiritual and emotional maturity, interpersonal relationships, and social awareness, coupled with nurturing a vibrant intellectual life.

grow...

Whether it’s through weekly chapel services or by joining a small group, students can be a part of a vibrant community of faith. You’ll find opportunities for spiritual growth through Bluefield University Student Ministries (BUSM) and Elevate, a student-driven and student-led service with worship performed by BU students held every Sunday night in Harman Chapel.

connect...

Each semester, Bluefield University students have the opportunity to travel abroad or locally for a mission trip. Mission trips are life changing events and can help you deepen your walk with Christ as you serve others and our Lord. Our mission is to bring students, faculty, and staff to an encounter with Christ; these encounters encourage them to grow, help them minister, and empower them to fulfill their life’s calling. The purpose of campus ministry is to influence the campus community with the power of God’s Word.

go!

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Bluefield coffee shop started by student-athlete Rams Country OPPORTUNITIES abound in

“ I recognized the need for quality coffee in our area and quickly realized there was also an ability to serve my community through my enterprise, The Grind, LLC. I could not do it without my amazing team of Bluefield football players and students, and find great joy in being able to revitalize the downtown area and revolutionize the local concept of small business. [We] lead the only college football and full-time student owned cafe in the nation. I cannot say enough about the local community and my gratitude for the people of Bluefield and Southwest Virginia.

“

Collin O’Donnell Class of 2020

A 40+ year tradition, our annual Mud Pig Day gets a bit...messy. Each spring, before the start of final exams, we pause for an event like nothing you've experienced before, complete with a mud pit, giant water slide, inflatables, and a BBQ lunch.

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CAMPUS EVENTS 2023-2024

SCHEDULE A VISIT ON-CAMPUS VISIT An on-campus personal visit allows you to meet with the faculty of your intended major, speak with the athletic staff of the team you’re interested in, sit down with your personal admissions counselor, and see the beauty of our campus firsthand. Tours are available Monday through Saturday. GROUP VISIT Each group visit includes a student-led tour and lunch in our dining hall to give everyone a real feel for life on campus. You can request an information session or faculty presentation about our degree programs too. OPEN HOUSE Open House events are open to everyone who’s interested in learning more about Bluefield University. Whether you’re just starting your college search, ready to make a decision, or interested in Early College, we invite you to visit with faculty and staff to learn more about enrollment, residence life, student services, academic programs, and all things Bluefield! EXPERIENCE DAYS Those interested in getting a firsthand look into what life as a Bluefield University student is like, are invited to join us for Experience Days. Visitors will be able to experience chapel, attend class, eat in our dining hall, enjoy residence life activities, visit the student services department, and more. No matter how you visit us, we hope you’ll reach out to our Admissions department via email: admissions@bluefield.edu or phone: 800.872.0175 to schedule a visit. Plan your visit!

September 20 Experience Day October 21 Open House November 1 Transfer Day November 11 Open House

March 9 Open House April 3 Transfer Day April 13 Open House

April 25 Accepted Student Day Mud Pig Day!!

December 2 Presidential Scholarship Competition

We can’t wait to see you here!

A D M I S S I O N S admissions@bluefield.edu 1.800.872.0175

B L U E F I E L D C E N T R A L Financial Aid, Registrar, & Student Accounts

bccentral@bluefield.edu 1.800.872.0175 ext. 4215

3000 College Avenue | Bluefield, VA 24605 admissions@bluefield.edu | 800.872.0175 | bluefield.edu