Academic Placement and Assessment Procedures
In accordance with BridgeValley Community and Technical College Board of Governors policy C-9 Freshman Assessment and Placement Standards, all new degree-seeking students must show academic skill proficiency in mathematics, reading, and writing.
Student proficiency may be determined through the evaluation of ACT, SAT, or ACCUPLACER scores.
Students who have not completed a placement exam may registrater for an ACCUPLACER exam at BridgeValley by visiting https://www.bridgevalley.edu/accuplacer-testing-policies-and-exam-scheduling.
Adult Education Learning Centers
BridgeValley provides an Adult Education Learning Center (AELC) in collaboration with the West Virginia Department of Education, Office of Adult Education & Workforce Development at each campus location. The AELC on the South Charleston campus is in room 029 Building 2000, and the AELC on the Montgomery campus is located in room 401 Davis Hall. The AELC provides assistance with skill-building in the areas of math, reading, and language arts. The staff administers assessments to help students gauge their own strengths and weaknesses. In the AELC, students gain proficiency in critical reading, thinking, writing and computation for college-level coursework and tests such as the TASC (high school equivalency exam), ACCUPLACER, ACT, ASVAB, TEAS V Nursing Entrance Test, and PPST. The AELC also helps students to deal with test anxiety, develop better study habits, manage time more effectively, set short-term goals in order to achieve long-term objectives, and become independent learners. Students can also find help with career exploration and career pathway building.
Bookstore
BridgeValley partners with eCampus to provide bookstore services for its students. This online company sells new, used, and rental textbooks as well as various campus supplies. For more information, visit the BridgeValley website.
Campus Life
Participating in campus life, whether through community service initiatives, attending off-campus events, or welcoming the new semester during “Welcome Back Week,” is a cornerstone of the enriching college experience at BridgeValley. Such involvement fosters intellectual, personal, and social development, shaping well-rounded individuals.
BridgeValley is committed to fostering connections between students, student organizations, and faculty/staff, creating a vibrant campus community. The Office of Student Services plays a vital role, supporting student organizations and their members by enriching their experiences both inside and outside the classroom.
Our aim is to cultivate an active and engaged community that empowers leadership development, fosters a commitment to community involvement, and inspires lifelong learning. For further information, please visit the “Campus Life” section of the BridgeValley website.
Campus Police
The Safety of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors is a top priority at BridgeValley Community and Technical College. Campus Police works diligently to ensure a safe work and academic environment for the BridgeValley community. Administration and the Campus Safety Committee have implemented several services that will allow everyone to play a vital role in security on campus. In addition, there are campus police officers to assist students in the parking areas and in other helpful ways around campus. For all emergencies, including medical, you should first call 911. Remember when calling from a campus phone you will need to dial the number 9 for an outside line. All other non-emergencies, contact the campus police department.
Career Services
Career Services enhances student success by providing comprehensive career and employment services. The office is committed to fostering individual growth and development by assisting our students with their academic, career and employment needs.” Career Services offers World of Work Inventory (WOWI) Career Assessment, Resume and Cover Letter Development, Interview Skill Assistance, Job placement, Career Fairs and Transfer Fairs.
Clubs and Organizations
BridgeValley Community & Technical College fosters a vibrant network of student clubs and organizations catering to diverse interests. These groups encompass leadership development, professional development, religious affiliations, academic recognition, social activities, and specific areas of passion.
Students are empowered to shape their campus experience further by petitioning the Student Government Association to establish new clubs or organizations.
To discover the full spectrum of available clubs and organizations, visit the “Campus Life” section of the BridgeValley website or consult the Office of Student Services.
Counseling Services
The College counselor serves as a student advocate and as a resource for students in crisis. Registered students may receive nine counseling sessions per semester. Students who have on-going, long-term, or therapeutic needs are referred to community agencies for assistance. The counselor maintains a list of available community providers for professional testing, counseling, and alternative support services.
Disability Services
Consistent with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), BridgeValley ensures that individuals with disabilities are afforded an equal opportunity to participate in its academic programs, student activities, and all other events sponsored by the College. Students shall be provided reasonable accommodation based on the recommendations made by a licensed health care professional who is qualified to diagnose the impairment. A student with a physical, learning, emotional, or temporary disability must provide documentation verifying a disabling condition which impacts the function of a major life activity. No accommodation will be provided without proper documentation that is outlined in the Disability Services Student Handbook, which can be found on the BridgeValley website.
Library Services
BridgeValley has an online library that is designed to support the information, curriculum, and research needs of all students, faculty, and staff. BridgeValley provides access to multiple web-based periodical and eBook databases with access to full text articles and reference books. These materials can be accessed on campus or from home with an individual’s B number or BridgeValley email. Questions about finding materials or need research help? The librarian and library staff can get you started with a research project, narrowing a search, evaluating sources, and creating citations. The librarian also provides a variety of information literacy services including, but not limited to, Orientation/Instruction on how to use the online resources. The Library Resources tab can be found in the student MyBridge, which provides links to databases & web resources and hours are posted at the beginning of each semester.
Student Code of Conduct
BridgeValley expects that every member of its community shares its commitment to honesty, integrity, and the search for the truth. In addition, BridgeValley Community and Technical College is concerned with the social and learning environment of all its students. It is expected that each person will grow to have greater respect for self, others, and property. For a complete explanation of student rights and responsibilities, students should consult the Student Code of Conduct which can be found on the BridgeValley website or in the Division of Student Affairs.
Student Government Association
The BridgeValley Community & Technical College Student Government Association (SGA) serves as a vital bridge between the student body and the administration. This student-led organization fosters collaboration and encourages proactive engagement in matters of general student well-being and college activities.
Guided by a well-defined constitution, the SGA’s elected officers act as representatives of the student body, ensuring their voices are heard and concerns addressed.
To learn more about the SGA’s role and initiatives, visit the “Campus Life” section of the BridgeValley website or consult the Office of Student Services.
Student Success Center
BridgeValley provides a Student Success Center (SSC) in South Charleston. The mission of the Student Success Center is to provide effective academic assistance, professional testing, student assessment services, tutorial services, and academic advising to ensure success for all students at BridgeValley CTC.
Retention Services
BridgeValley is committed to the success of its students by providing an environment conducive to teaching and learning. To ensure that every student takes full advantage of the educational opportunities, the College has implemented an Early Alert retention program. Through the Early Alert system, students are identified through referrals from the faculty and staff to provide customized services for those students early in the semester. The Student Services support personnel will contact student(s) to discuss issues that may require attention and resources to support them.
Additionally, our staff holds a series of Academic Success Workshops for students on academic probation. These workshops give students the resources they need to achieve academic success in the future.
Tutoring Services
BridgeValley Community & Technical College offers free tutoring through the Student Success Center. Tutoring is available for a variety of subjects during the time posted on the current semester tutoring schedule. For tutoring assistance in a subject not listed on the schedule or during a time not listed please fill out a Tutor Request Form in the Student Success Center. Tutoring Schedules are subject to change depending on tutor availability; updates are posted in the Student Success Center.
Testing Services
The Student Success Center proctors a variety of exams from online course exams to standardized tests such as the ACCUPLACER Placement Test and the TEAS V nursing entrance exam. At BridgeValley, all online courses are required to have at least one assignment or exam proctored. While there are a few options for proctoring, the most common is to have your exam proctored by the SSC. All exam proctoring is done on an appointment basis. To find out more information on exam proctoring please contact the Student Success Center.
As previously mentioned, the Student Success Center proctors the ACCUPLACER Placement exam. The purpose of the placement test is to assist us in determining your best course placement. The placement test measures entry-level skills in the areas of reading, writing, and mathematics. This is tool used to determine how to best help place you in college level math and English classes. If you are a new student seeking a degree and you have not completed more than 15 hours of college coursework or you do not have admissions test scores, such as, ACT, SAT, or ACCUPLACER that is less than five years old, you must take the ACCUPLACER Placement Test. The test must be taken prior to registering for classes. For more information on the ACCUPLACER, including a study guide, or to register for an ACCUPLACER exam please visit the ACCUPLACER Testing webpage or contact the Student Success Center.
Veteran Affairs
Financial assistance is available to veterans who qualify through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). Visit www.va.gov/education/how-to-apply to learn how to apply for VA education benefits. Once approved, the VA will issue your Certificate of Eligibility (CoE). You must provide your VA-issued CoE to the College’s Director of Veteran Affairs.
Possible Benefits Include:
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the VA. More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
- Post 9/11 GI Bill: The Post-9/11 GI Bill is for individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Post-9/11 GI Bill will become effective for training on or after August 1, 2009. Apply at www.gibill.va.gov®
- Yellow Ribbon Program Participant: Those receiving the maximum benefit from the Post 9/11 GI Bill can receive additional funding to cover the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees. BridgeValley Community and Technical College has agreed to waive 50% of this difference, and the VA will pay the remaining balance. This means that those students eligible for the maximum Post 9/11 GI Bill should not have to pay any tuition and fees out-of-pocket.
- Montgomery GI Bill/Chapter 30: (active duty or non-active duty) must have served in the United States Armed Forces for period of two to four years and have been HONORABLY discharged prior to returning to school.
- Montgomery GI Bill/Chapter 1606: (selected reserve) must have you completed Basic Training and AIT and are now assigned to a Reserve and/or West Virginia National Guard Unit. Please submit copy of DD214 and NOBE (Notice of Basic Eligibility). The NOBE is available from your assigned unit.
- VR&E (Veteran Readiness & Employment/Chapter 31: (disabled Veterans) must make application with case worker and have disability rated. The veteran school certifying official (SCO) will receive authorization and certification of entrance or re-entrance into rehabilitation and certification of status.
- Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program/Chapter 35: (for dependents and spouses of 100% disabled or deceased veterans) must complete Form 22-5490 and submit to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. Once a claim is established, the VA will issue a CoE to the dependent/spouse. The student should then make an appointment to see the College’s SCO.
Work-Study Program:
All students eligible for Chapter 30, 31, 35 and 1606 benefits are eligible to apply for VA Work Study. Required forms can be found at: www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/workstudy.asp
Reserve or National Guard Tuition Assistance:
Available Tutoring Services and Testing Center:
The mission of the Student Success Center is to provide effective academic assistance, professional testing, student assessment services, tutorial services and academic advising that will ensure success for all students at BridgeValley Community & Technical College.
VA One Year Retroactive Award Rule:
VA’s one-year retroactive rule is available to students/trainees/apprentices that are considering using the GI Bill. The VA will only pay retroactive one year back from the date of the claim. For VA education and OJT/Apprenticeship programs, that’s generally the date of the certification of enrollment/training. If the student/trainee/apprentice is pursuing several terms of education or months of training/employment before actually coming to you to get certified, that student/trainee/apprentice runs the risk of the VA not paying for any term beginning more than one year prior to your certification.
VA Pending Payments
Any students using U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from the VA, we will not:
- Prevent their enrollment;
- Assess a late penalty fee to;
- Require they secure alternative or additional funding;
- Deny their access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.
To qualify for this provision, students may be required to:
- Produce a VA-issued CoE by the first day of class;
- Provide written request to be certified;
- Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies (see our VA School Certifying Official for all requirements).
Other Initiatives
This section includes temporarily available grant-funded student support program information.
ASCEND: Accelerating Student Completion, Encouraging New Dreams
ASCEND, a flagship initiative program at BridgeValley Community and Technical College, stands committed to fostering student success through comprehensive support services. Designed to meet the unique needs of eligible students, ASCEND provides personalized guidance and resources, ensuring a tailored approach on their academic journey.
Paired with a dedicated Advisor, eligible students benefit from regular check-ins and access to both on-campus and community resources. ASCEND’s holistic approach goes beyond academic aid, offering crucial financial support for tuition, fees, and essential course materials. Moreover, ASCEND identifies and addresses diverse needs through an expansive community resource network.
Tuition Assistance
ASCEND plays a pivotal role in supporting students financially, assisting eligible individuals with tuition expenses. This proactive measure aims to eliminate financial hurdles that may impede progress, allowing students to concentrate on their academic pursuits. Tuition and fee assistance from ASCEND serve as “last-dollar in” support, helping to cover remaining expenses after other financial aid.
Course Materials Assistance
ASCEND provides eligible students with assistance in purchasing required course materials, from textbooks to access codes and software. Ensuring students have the necessary tools for academic success, ASCEND strives to make their educational journey smoother.
Needs-Related Payments
Recognizing the diverse needs of students, ASCEND offers needs-related payments in the form of gift cards. These cards assist students with groceries, gas, hygiene products, and other essential items, providing additional support to enhance their overall well-being.
Personalized Support
ASCEND’s unwavering commitment to student success is exemplified through personalized support. Eligible participants, guided by a dedicated ASCEND Advisor, receive tailored assistance, regular check-ins, and access to both on-campus resources and referrals to an expansive community partner network.
Federal Grant Disclosure
ASCEND is funded by a $1,411,280 (42.44%) WORC grant, a $1,337,049 (39.34%) sub-award of an SCC grant, and a $619,360 (18.22%) sub-award of a Scaling Apprenticeship grant, all awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor.
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