In 2000, legislation passed that created a new grant program. This program will provide 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.
Any one who was in foster care, custody of a social service agency or was a special needs adoption at the time they received their high school diploma or GED is eligible as long as he or she:
- Enrolls in and maintains full-time enrollment in an eligible academic program of at least one academic year in length
- Is a bona-fide domiciliary resident of Virginia as promulgated under Section 23-7.4 of the Code of Virginia
- Meets the satisfactory academic standards of the college for federal student financial aid programs
- Has not been previously enrolled in a post-secondary institution as a full-time student for more than five years
- Is certified by appropriate agency to be in foster care, in the custody of Department of Social Services, or considered a special needs adoption when high school diploma or GED was awarded
Potential students who fall in one of the three 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 to the community college of your choice an application for admission.
- Submit documentation from the Department of Social Services regarding dates in foster care, or assistance received for a special needs adoption to the collegeÕs financial aid office.
Awards will be provided to eligible applicants who are not already receiving sufficient grant funds to pay for their tuition and fees. The awards may not exceed tuition and required fees. Students who are already receiving grant funds that cover tuition and fees are not eligible for these awards.
Each year recipients must demonstrate that the total hours earned reflect at least the minimum number of hours for full-time enrollment. Students who receive funds and fail to maintain the eligibility criteria for this award must repay those funds to the college. Until the financial obligation is satisfied, all academic records will be placed on administrative hold and the student will be pre- vented from enrolling for a subsequent term.
Contact your local Department of Social Services office or the financial aid office of your local community college.
Visit this website for more information: http://www.dss.virginia.gov/family/tuitiongrant.html