Mountain Empire Community College: Services for VA Tobacco Quota Owners, Producers, Workers

Virginia Tobacco Settlement Program Funding 2008-09 Academic Year:

The Virginia Tobacco Settlement Program, in conjunction with other federal and state financial aid programs, assists Virginia resident tobacco producers, quota owners, their family members (descendents), and tobacco workers with the cost of attending credit classes at Mountain Empire Community College (MECC). Family income, household size, and the numbers of family members attending college play a role in determining the amount of Tobacco Settlement Funds a student receives.

Family member (descendent) is defined as spouse of tobacco quota owner/producer, child living with parent who is a tobacco quota owner/producer, a son or daughter in-law, or direct descendent of a tobacco quota owner/producer.
Tobacco quota owner/producer is defined as a Virginia resident who is listed by the local FSA Office or who can provide documentation of quota owner/producer activity at any time within the last five years (2003-2008).
Tobacco worker is defined as an individual who attaches to this application a 2007 federal tax return, W-2, 1099, or other acceptable documentation demonstrating clearly that income was derived from work in tobacco.
Virginia resident is defined as a person who has lived in Virginia for the last twelve months and has no ties with any other state including driver's license, tax returns, voter registration, or auto registration.
Cost of attending is defined as tuition, fees, books, and for those who show financial need, an allowance for additional costs such as transportation.

Mountain Empire Community College offers both one-year certificate and two-year associate degree programs preparing students for the world of work as well as for transfer to a four-year college or university. Specialized classes may be offered at any time when enough interest is expressed.

College Transfer (prepares graduates to pursue a Bachelor's degree or beyond)
Business Administration
Education
  Teacher Education
  Social Services
  General Studies
Liberal Arts
  Pre-Law
Science
Pre-Dentistry
Pre-Medicine
Pre-Medical Tech.
Pre-Pharmacy
Pre-Physical Therapy
Pre-Radiologic Tech.

Occupational Technical (prepares graduates for the workforce after graduation)
Accounting
Accounting
Administration of Justice
Administrative Support Technology
  Medical Office Specialist
Air Conditioning & Refrigeration
Aquaculture
Call Center/Teleservices
Child Development
Clerical Assistant
Commercial Truck Driver
Computer Networking Technology
Computer Repair
Computer Software Specialist
Computer Aided Drafting & Design
Computer & Electronic Technology
Correctional Services
Electricity
Electro-Mechanical Technology
Emergency Medical Services
Fiber Optic Technician
Forest Science
Forestry
Geographical Information Systems
Graphic Design
Heavy Equipment Operator
Industrial Maintenance
Industrial Supervision
Landscape Gardening
Legal Office Assisting
Machinery Maintenance
Management
Computerized Manufacturing Technology
Medical Laboratory Technician
Medical Office Coding Procedures
Medical Records Clerk
Medical Transcriptionst
Mining Certification
Mining
Multimedia
Nursing (LPN)
Nursing (RN)
Nursing Assistant
Office Automation Specialist
Office Services Specialist
Parolegal Studies
Paramedics
Pharmacy Aide
Phlebotomy
Photography
Police Science
Polysomnography
Real Estate
Respiratory Therapy
Sign Language/Interpreter Training
Small Business Management
Water/Wastewater
Wastewater Plant Operator
Water Plant Operator
Welding
Word Processing

Credit Classes:

Apply for Admission
Complete and submit an Application for Admission to Mountain Empire Community College. There is no application fee. If you graduated from high school or earned your GED within the last five years, you should request that a transcript be sent directly to Enrollment Services, MECC, 3441 Mountain Empire Road, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219. If you have attended any colleges, you should request an official transcript to be sent directly to MECC.

Assessment
If you are enrolling in credit classes, visit the Office of Student Services in Holton Hall and complete the assessment in English and mathematics. This test will be used to determine which English and math classes you are prepared to study. It will also help us determine your reading level. There is no charge for this test. You will have an unlimited amount of time to complete the test. Most people take approximately two hours to complete the test. We have a booklet that describes the test and gives you some sample questions. You may obtain a copy of this booklet by calling the Student Services Office at 276-523-7472 or click here to access the booklet online.

Apply for Financial Aid
If you wish to apply for financial aid in addition to the Tobacco Settlement Funds, you should visit the Financial Aid Office at MECC. Our Financial Aid Office staff are available to assist you as you complete the application for financial aid. You need to bring a signed copy of 2007 federal income tax returns for your family and yourself to our office, so we can help you complete the application and determine your eligibility for federal aid.
If your income in the year 2008 will be less than in 2007, you may want to file a Reconsideration Form indicating family income for July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009. If you are filing a Reconsideration Form, you must also provide a copy of Unemployment Insurance benefit determination from VEC if you draw unemployment and the latest pay check stub showing year-to-date earnings for any family member currently employed.
For additional information, call or write: Financial Aid, MECC, 3441 Mountain Empire Road, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219 - - College Phone 276-523-2400, Financial Aid Office 276-523-7470.

Enroll in Classes
Meet with an advisor or counselor to help you select the classes in which you wish to enroll. To reserve your space in a credit class, you should enter your class selection in our new online enrollment system called MECC Online. You can access this system on the web at www.me.vccs.edu. You may obtain assistance using MECC Online from Enrollment Services/ Registrar in Godwin Hall.