Tuition grants are available for foster youth, former foster youth, and special needs adoptees who have a high school diploma or GED.
What is the program?
The Tuition Grant program provides tuition and fees at any Virginia community college for high school graduates or general education development (GED) completers in foster care, in the custody of a social services agency, or considered a special needs adoption. Review the guidance here.
Who is eligible?
Each public institution of higher education shall provide a grant for the payment of tuition and mandatory education and general fees, except fees established for the purpose of paying for course materials such as laboratory fees, and, if such institution is a baccalaureate public institution of higher education, room and board, for any Virginia student who:
- a. Has received a high school diploma or has passed a high school equivalency examination approved by the Board of Education and was in foster care or in the custody of the Department of Social Services or was considered a special needs adoption at any time after he turned 14; or
b. Was in foster care when he turned 18 and subsequently received a high school diploma or passed a high school equivalency examination approved by the Board of Education;
- Is enrolled or has been accepted for enrollment as a full-time or part-time student, taking a minimum of six credit hours per semester, in a degree or certificate program of at least one academic year in length or in a noncredit workforce credential program in a comprehensive community college;
- Has not been enrolled in postsecondary education as a full-time student for more than five years or does not have a bachelor’s degree;
- Maintains the required grade point average established by the governing board of the institution at which he is enrolled;
- Has submitted complete applications for federal student financial aid programs for which he may be eligible;
- Demonstrates financial need; and
- Meets any additional financial need requirements established by the governing board of the institution at which he is enrolled for the purposes of such grant.
How do students apply?
Potential students who fall in one of the categories listed above must:
- Complete and submit to the U.S. Department of Education the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA).
- Complete and submit an application for admission to the community college of your choice.
- Submit documentation from the Department of Social Services regarding dates in foster care, or assistance received for a special needs adoption to the college’s financial aid office.
- DSS indicates that a foster child can be verified by way of a “Letter of Certification of Foster Care Experience” on VDSS letterhead from their locality, also called a “proof of foster care letter.”
- For special needs adoptions, foster youth will need a court order stating that the student was adopted and is special needs.
- If foster youth does not have the letter or court order, they need to reach out to their locality asking for it to be reissued.
Does the grant have to be repaid?
If a student’s enrollment level drops below six credits, eligibility for the grant is lost and, therefore, needs to be repaid. If a student withdraws from all courses, a portion of the grant is lost and needs to be repaid.
Financial Aid Point of Contact: Kaitlyn Lambert at [email protected] or 540-347-8515.
For more information
Contact your local Department of Social Services office or the Financial Aid Office.
Visit these websites for more information: