RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Under legislation passed in the General Assembly this week, certain Virginia college students will be allowed to receive financial aid no matter their citizenship status by August 2022.
Students who attended a Virginia high school for at least two years will be eligible for aid provided by the state or from a school. Those in private, nonprofit institutions would be permitted to get funding from the Tuition Assistance Grant Program.
People who graduated or passed a high school equivalency exam in Virginia on or after July 2008 or who otherwise meet the criteria to be eligible for in-state tuition can also get aid. A measure making in-state tuition possible for students regardless of their immigration status was signed into law last year.
On Wednesday, the Virginia Senate narrowly approved the House bill from Del. Alfonso H. Lopez (D-Arlington) with a 20-18 vote. Two days earlier, the House passed Senate Bill 1387 from state Sen. Jennifer B. Boysko (D-Fairfax) 58-42.
The bill calls on the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to coordinate with Virginia’s colleges and universities to implement the provisions within the legislation.
The legislation could soon head over to Gov. Ralph Northam (D), who has previously shared support for the proposal, for his signature.
