Academic Advising at the Student Access Center is designed to facilitate a seamless transition into J. Sargeant Reynolds that assists students clarify academic, curricular and career goals, while receiving institutional support that will encourage academic success. Advisors interpret placement test scores and recommend courses for new and returning non-curricular students. Advisors also assist students with registration and enrollment management. First-time students at JSRCC are encouraged to attend a new student orientation program to receive academic advising. 

>> Sign up for New Student Orientation

Academic Programs
If your goal is to eventually earn a four year degree from a college or university:
• Associates in Arts- AA
• Associates in Science-AS

If your goal is to gain skills necessary for a specific vocation/occupation:
• Associates in Applied Arts- AAA
• Associates in Applied Science- AAS
• Certificate Programs- CSC

Types of classes
Fall and Spring Semester
16 week classes
8 week classes
Dynamics- Classes that meet at lengths other than other than 16 weeks, 10 weeks, 8 weeks or 5 weeks

Summer Semester
10 week classes
5 week classes
Dynamic Classes

• Distance Learning
• Non Credit Courses- Community College Workforce Alliance


Students also receive their Placement Test Results and recommended courses for their First Semester! The staff of the Student Success Centers are committed to assisting students exceed their academic expectations.

Qualifying veterans and dependents are eligible to receive certain educational benefits while attending J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. Those interested in obtaining these benefits must follow the instructions below and submit all required documentation at least 30 days prior to the first day of the term the student is planning to enroll.

General instructions for applying for V.A. Educational Benefits:

Forms: Complete in ink, in their entirety, with a legal signature and accompanying date. Links to needed forms can be found below in the Forms section.

Submission of forms: Submit all forms/application materials to any of the 3 JSRCC Success Centers or via fax at 804-371-3292.

Deadlines: Although the college may certify a student for benefits up to one year retroactively, students are urged to submit their requests for certification at least 30 days prior to the first day of the term the student is planning to enroll.

Information Sheet: All students seeking Veteran’s benefits are strongly encouraged to review the Information Sheet. This is found below in the Forms section.
JSRCC does not participate in Advance or Accelerated pay. It is the student’s responsibility to pay for all classes (i.e. financial aid, FACTS payment, out of pocket). Veteran’s benefits are provided only after courses have been paid for and enrollment has been verified after the drop/add period of each term.

Detailed Instructions:
If you’ve received benefits at JSRCC (in the past 3 years):
1. Complete the Request for Certification form (must be completed each semester).
2. Active duty beneficiaries must indicate that they are on active duty.

If you have never received benefits at JSRCC (but have received them at another institution):
1. Complete the Request for Certification form (must be completed each semester).
2. Request for Change of Program or Place of Training by completing:
VA Form 22-1995 for Veterans or Reservists: Chapter 30, 1606, 1607
VA Form 22-5495 for Dependents: Chapter 35
3. If a Reservist, also include a Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) form from the reserve unit.
4. If a Veteran, also include a copy of form DD-214.

If you have never received V.A. Educational Benefits before:
1. Complete V.A. Online application (Form 22-1990 for Veterans or Reservists or Form 22-5490 for Dependents)
2. Send copy of Form DD-214 to
Department of Veterans Affairs
VA Regional Office
PO Box 4616
Buffalo, NY 14202
3. Submit the following to the JSRCC Certifying Official:
A copy of DD-214 (only if discharged), or Notice of Basic Eligibility (Reservists)
Completed Request for Certification form (must be completed each semester)
Copy of Certificate of Eligibility. (Student will receive the Certificate of Eligibility from the VA 6-8 weeks after completing the online application.)

If you are receiving other educational benefits such as Vocational Rehabilitation (Chp. 31) or Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP):
1. Contact your counselor with that department for the proper paper work to be submitted to the Veteran Certifying Official at JSRCC:
a. Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP)
Doris Sullivan
540-857-7101
Virginia Department of Veterans Services
270 Franklin Road SW
Room 503
Roanoke, VA 24011-2215
Doris.Sullivan@dvs.virginia.gov
b. Vocational Rehabilitation: Chapter 31
Priscilla Stinson
VA McGuire Hospital
804-675-5565
2. Complete the Request for Certification form (must be completed each semester).
3. If a Reservist, also include a Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) form from the reserve unit.
4. If a Veteran, also include a copy of form DD-214.

Forms:
• Information Sheet
• Request for Certification form (Statement of Understanding)
• VA Forms

Useful Links
• G. I. Bill
• Monthly Verification or 1-877-823-2378
• Ask the VA Questions
• VA Forms

Testing Center [Back to top]

Beginning on May 19, 2008, all examinees may walk in to a testing center to complete testing and will no longer schedule an appointment to take tests. Examinees must still bring a picture I.D. with them and JSRCC EMPL ID before any test can be administered. Testing appointments will no longer be scheduled beginning May 19, 2008.

Start Times
Tests will be administered beginning at 9am Monday through Saturday at Downtown and Parham Road Campuses. At Western Campus, tests will be administered beginning at 9 am on Tuesday and Thursday and 3 pm on Wednesday.

Last Seatings for Tests:
Compass, Asset, NET, NLNs, Diagnostic Readiness Test for RN Licensure and ServSafe

Last seatings for Compass and Asset tests at WC:

Distance Learning, Makeup and all other tests:

Last seatings for Makeup and Distance Learning tests at WC:

If you arrive and there are no available testing seats, please check in with the Testing Center staff. You will be instructed to please remain in the designated waiting area and given an estimate of the length of your wait. The Testing Center will only proctor 2 tests per day per student. 

1. COMPASS Placement Test
• The COMPASS Placement Test is designed to assess new students in the academic areas of reading, writing and math. This assessment recommends first semester courses based on the student’s skill level . It is very important that you take this test seriously as the placement test determines the English and Math courses that you will take at JSRCC. Students may only take the test once and must receive special permission to retest.
• All applications for admissions to the college must be submitted and processed and an JSRCC Empl # assigned prior to taking placement tests. Click here to enroll
• An assessment, not a pass or fail test
• The test is not timed, but most people should take approximately 1 – 1.5 hours to complete
• There is a six ($6) dollar fee which must be paid in cash at the Business Office. The Business Offices are open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday between the hours of 8:30 and 5:00pm and from 8:30 to 3:00pm on Fridays. On Wednesdays, the Business Office is open from 8:30 until 7:00pm. If you plan on taking a test on Saturday, you will need to may payment Monday through Friday.
• See sample questions

2. Placement Testing for High School Dual Enrollment
• Same process as for COMPASS Placement Tests
• Contact Dual Enrollment and/or your High School Guidance Counselor prior to scheduling this test.
• There is a six ($6) dollar fee which must be paid in cash at the Business Office. The Business Offices are open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday between the hours of 8:30 and 5:00pm and from 8:30 to 3:00pm on Fridays. On Wednesdays, the Business Office is open from 8:30 until 7:00pm. If you plan on taking a test on Saturday, you will need to may payment Monday through Friday.
• See Sample questions in:
Writing | Math | Reading | ESL

3. Ability-to-Benefit Assessment Test
• Students who pass this test may be admitted to the college as either non-curricular or curricular students, provided they also have satisfied other admission requirements.
• For more detailed information, contact the Office of Admissions, 523-5029, or any of the Student Success Centers, Parham- 523-5368, Downtown- 523-5455, Western- 523-5400.

4. Special Accommodations Tests for students with disabilities
• Services for students with documented disabilities to meet their specific needs.

5. Distance Learning Testing
• Students enrolled in Distance Learning Course(s) utilize the Testing Center for test administration.
• Distance Learning students must print out and bring their testing ticket with them in order for test to be administered as well as a picture ID and their EMPL number.

6. Testing for Students attending other Virginia Community Colleges
• Students enrolled in Distance Learning Course(s) at other Virginia Community College System schools are able to have tests proctored at the JSRCC Testing Center.
• Contact the Testing Center for details.

7. Computer Literacy Tests
Students in programs that require ITE 115, ITE 100 or CSC 155 can satisfy the computer competency course requirement in the curriculum by passing the college’s computer competency or Credit by Able exam administered in the Testing Centers.
• For ITE 100 and 115, you will need to purchase a code from a JSRCC bookstore. There is no fee for CSC 155 testing.
• View The Computer Competency website or contact the Testing Center for details.

Information for Faculty: [Back to top]
Beginning May 19, 2008, students will no longer schedule appointments to take tests in the Testing Centers.
• If you are a Distance Learning faculty member, please note that we will still retain the current system of providing tests through the Distance Learning Offices as has been in the past. These procedures will change beginning with the Fall 2008 semester.
• Distance Learning students must have a complete and current test ticket. The test ticket should contain the instructor’s name, the course number, the test number and the last day the test can be taken.
• Each test must have a completed (in its entirety) coversheet. Please see the internal website to download coversheets.
• Tests that arrive without a completed coversheet will not be proctored.
• Each test that a faculty member provides to the Testing Center must contain a time limit for the test. Tests that do not have time limits established by the faculty member will not be proctored.
• Please deliver makeup tests to the Testing Center in a timely fashion.

• Encourage them to participate in Campus Activities and Clubs Office of Student Life to develop their leadership skills. Transfer institutions and employers are impressed by students who have expressed and leadership skills.• Remind them of deadlines, Financial Aid, tuition payment, scholarships, add/drop and withdraw.

• Encourage your son/daughter to contact the Office of Student Accommodations , if they have a documented disability and would like to know more about the services we provide.