Are you thinking about staying in your home state of Virginia to attend college? The state, through the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, has several college grants available to its residents and students to make college more affordable. Here’s what you need to know.
Flickr user Rex Hammock
Virginia State Grants
1. Virginia Commonwealth Award
For undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate financial need, there is the Virginia Commonwealth Award. The reward can cover up to the cost of tuition and fees, but the actual amount of the award depends on the student’s individual need, available funding, and the institution’s decision. Those with the greatest financial need will receive more.
Eligibility requirements for this award include:
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA)
- Be attending a public two year or four year school in Virginia
- Be enrolled at least half time as an undergraduate or full time as a graduate student
The reward is renewable as long as the student maintains satisfactory academic progress and continues to meet the eligibility requirements of the initial grant.
2. Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant Program
The Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant Program is for students who are attending participating private, nonprofit colleges in the state and are residents of Virginia. It is available to undergraduates, graduates, and professional students that are not undergoing religious training or theological education. Graduates must be in a health-related program.
Undergraduates and graduates can receive up to $12,500 per year, though the exact amount depends on the institution, and the award can be renewed.
3. Two-Year College Transfer Grant
Have you considered going to community college to get your associate’s degree before attending a 4-year school? The Two-Year College Grant is for you, if so! It awards up to $3,000 depending on the student’s degree program and school, but has a minimum of $1,000.
To apply students must:
- Have earned an associate’s degree from a Virginia school
- Be a Virginia resident
- Have a 3.0 GPA or higher
- Enroll in a participating college or university in Virginia
- Not be studying religious training or theological education
- Complete the FAFSA
- Demonstrate financial need
This award can also be renewed, but it is limited to three years (or 6 semesters) and eligibility requirements must be met for every renewal.
4. And More
Other state grants and scholarships for college students in Virginia include:
- Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program
- Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program
- Workforce Credential Grant
- G3 – Get Skilled, Get a Job, Give Back Program
- Brown v. Board of Education Scholarship Program
- Child Care Provider Scholarship Program
- Granville P. Meade Scholarship
- Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver
- VDOT Civil Engineering Scholarship Program
- Virginia Department of Health – Virginia State Loan Repayment program
- And more
Where Can You Find More Information on Virginia State Grants?
To find out more about these state grants for college and scholarships, we recommend heading over to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia website. Their site contains information about completing eligibility requirements, applying for the grants, and more. It also has some helpful resources for incoming college students, high school and college graduation requirements, financial aid, adult learners, and more.
Don’t limit yourself to state grants! There are actually thousands of scholarships available to students like yourself, and you could be missing out on them if you’re not looking. Our Scholarship Database collects them for you and makes it easy for you to find the ones you qualify for. Get started today.
