State Financial Assistance Programs

The State Council of Higher Education has administrative and financial oversight over most of the following programs. However, the application and award processes are administered by participating Virginia colleges and universities. For all need-based state financial aid, the minimum application procedure requires completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For additional details and application procedures, contact the financial aid office at the institution you plan to attend.

SCHEV Administered Programs

The following programs are for Virginia residents attending an out-of-state institution. The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia administers the application process and determines student eligibility for each program. Contact SCHEV for applications or download via their Web site.

www.schev.edu
www.explorevirginiacolleges.com
www.FAFSA.ed.gov

State Programs include:


College Scholarship Assistance Program (CSAP)

This program combines state funds with the federal Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) Program and aids needy undergraduate students at Virginia’s public and private institutions who are enrolled at least half-time and who are residents of Virginia. Grants range from $400 to $5,000.

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Virginia Commonwealth Awards

This program aids needy Virginia residents who are undergraduate students enrolled at least halftime in Virginia’s public colleges and universities. It also is open to some graduate students regardless of need or residency. The awards may be as much as tuition and required fees.

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Foster Children Grant

In 2000, legislation passed that created a new grant program. This program will provide up to tuition and fees at any Virginia community college specifically for high school graduates or general education development (GED) completers who were in foster care, in the custody of a social services agency, or considered a special needs adoption at the time of graduation or completion of the GED.

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Virginia Graduate and Undergraduate Assistance Program (VGUAP)

This program encourages the establishment of endowments to assist full-time students at Virginia’s public colleges and universities. Funds may be used for grants and fellowships awarded on a competitive basis to outstanding graduate and undergraduate students. This program is available to both Virginia residents and non-residents. Awards and eligibility requirements will vary.

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Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP)

This program provides incentives to financially needy students now attending elementary and secondary school in Virginia to raise their expectations and academic performance and to consider higher education an achievable objective in their future. Students must graduate from a Virginia high school with at least a 2.5 GPA, be classified as a dependent and be able to demonstrate financial need. The neediest students are guaranteed at least tuition at a Virginia public college or university and may receive tuition, required fees and an allowance for books. Renewal awards are possible as long as the student maintains continuous full-time enrollment with at least a 2.0 GPA in college.

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Higher Education Teacher Assistance Program (HETAP)

This program was established in July 2000 by SCHEV to help address the teacher shortage in Virginia by assisting undergraduates enrolled in a K-12 teacher preparation program with preference given to those enrolled in a teacher shortage area. Virginia resident students are selected via faculty nomination and must be enrolled full-time and demonstrate financial need. The maximum annual award is $2,000.

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Part-Time Assistance Program

Students attending part-time (3-5 hours) in Virginia’s Community College System can receive grants up to the cost of tuition and fees. Recipients must be Virginia domiciled residents and demonstrate financial need.

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Senior Citizens Tuition Waiver

This program provides tuition waivers for credit course for Virginia residents aged 60 and older who have not exceeded income guidelines.

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Soil Scientist Program

This program awards tuition and required fees for soil science students at Virginia Tech. Recipients must be Virginia residents and agree to work one year for each year the scholarship is awarded. For more information, call the Department of Agronomy, Virginia Tech, (540) 231-6300.

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Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant Program (TAG)

This non-need-based grant assists Virginia residents who attend accredited, private, non-profit colleges or universities in Virginia whose primary purpose is to provide collegiate, graduate, or professional education and not to provide religious training or theological education. The program is open to full-time graduate and undergraduate students. The amount varies depending upon the number of eligible applicants; the maximum award is $2,210 for 2003-04, although it may be lower depending upon the availability of funds. For an application, contact your college financial aid office.

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Last Dollar

This program awards grants based on need to minority undergraduate students who are Virginia residents and who are enrolled for the first time in a public college or university in Virginia. The amount of the grant ranges from $400 to the cost of full-time tuition and fees.

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Stephen J. Wright Scholars Program

This program is designed to provide financial assistance to outstanding minority students (American Indian, Alaskan Native, Hispanic or Pacific Islander, or African American) who enter graduate school to prepare to teach at the college level by attending a traditionally white institution in Virginia or white students attending a traditionally black institution. The institutions are responsible for selecting recipients. For further information, check the SCHEV Web site at www.schev.edu.

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Virginia Transfer Grant Program (VTGP)

This program provides grants up to full tuition and fees to Virginia residents who are minority transfer students enrolled in historically white Virginia public institutions or any transfer students who enroll in Norfolk State University or Virginia State University. Applicants must meet minimum merit criteria and qualify for entry as first-time transfer students.

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Southern Regional Education Board’s Academic Common Market

A cooperative tuition-reduction agreement among 13 southern states allows students to pay instate tuition at non-Virginia colleges or universities while studying in certain programs that are not available at public institutions in Virginia. Students must be Virginia residents and accepted into a participating program. SCHEV coordinates Virginia’s participation in the Southern Regional Education Board’s Academic Common Market. Applicable education programs are at the baccalaureate or graduate degree level only. Institution application requirements must be fulfilled by applying directly to the specific college of university. Virginia residents seeking information about theses programs should contact the State Coordinator for the Academic Common Market, State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), James Monroe Building, 101 N. 14th St., Richmond, VA 23219, call (804) 225-2632 or visit the Web at www.schev.edu.

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Eastern Shore Tuition Assistance Program

This program provides aid to Virginia residents living in Northampton or Accomack counties who are juniors or seniors commuting to the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore or Salisbury State University. Award amounts vary depending upon the number of eligible applicants. Applications are available from the Maryland institutions, Eastern Shore Community College and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

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Regional Contract Programs

This arrangement among selected states provides tuition assistance for Virginia residents. SCHEV verifies student eligibility and the institution makes the award decisions. The program is available to students who study Library Science, Optometry, Forensic Science, Paper, Pulp and Technology, and Regional Printing. For further information, contact SCHEV at (804) 225-3189.

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Virginia College Savings Plan (VPEP)

This trust fund was started to help families plan and save for college. The plan has two programs: the Virginia College Savings Plan makes a smart choice for college savings. VPEP, VEST and CollegeAmerica offer convenience, affordability and great tax advantages. Section 529 lets you make tax-free withdrawals for college expenses. You can deduct up to $2,000 per year per account from your Virginia taxable income with unlimited carryforward.

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Lee-Jackson Foundation Scholarship Program

This privately funded program is administered by the Virginia Department of Education. Twentyfour $1,000 scholarships will be awarded in each of Virginia’s eight high school regions to the three juniors or seniors submitting the best essays on the career, character, or some other aspect of the life of either General Robert E. Lee or General “Stonewall” Jackson, or both. An additional $1,000 award will be given to the one then chosen as the top essay in each region. Eligible applicants must be a junior or senior in a Virginia public or private high school or home school. Financial need is not considered. Applications may be obtained from a high school guidance counselor approximately the last week of September of each school year. For additional information contact your local high school or the Lee-Jackson Foundation Scholarship at (804) 977-1861.

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Medical Scholarship Program

This program provides funds to medical students studying to become primary care physicians who agree to practice in a medically underserved area or become employed with the Commonwealth of Virginia in an approved department. The award amount is $10,000 per year and the required repayment period is one year of service for each year of scholarship receipt. Participating institutions include: Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Virginia, Eastern Virginia Medical School, East Tennessee State University School of Medicine and Pikeville College in Kentucky. For more information, call the Department of Health at (804) 371-4090.

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Nursing Scholarship Program

Awards are given to students who agree to work in the nursing profession in Virginia at the rate of one month for every $100 of aid received. For more information, call the Virginia Department of Health at (804) 371-4090.

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Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program

This federally-funded program, administered by the Virginia Department of Education, awards merit-based scholarships to high school seniors based on demonstrated outstanding academic achievement. The award amount depends upon Virginia’s allocation from the U.S. Department of Education. Students are judged on GPA, Standardized Test Scores, three letters of recognition, extracurricular activities and community involvement. The application and other pertinent information is sent to all senior high school principals (public and private) during the month of February. For more information, contact your local high school principal’s office.

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Rural Dental Scholarship Program

This program annually awards up to five scholarships for a maximum of $5,000 per year to dental students at Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Dentistry. Recipients agree to work in an area of need or for the State of Virginia for one year per every year of scholarship awarded. For more information, contact the Virginia Department of Health, Division of Dental Health at P.O. Box 2448, Richmond, VA 23218 or call (804) 786-3556 or the VCU, School of Dentistry at (804) 828-9196.

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