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2024 Special Session I

Budget Bill - HB6001 (Chapter 2)

Virginia Community College System

Item 201

Item 201

First Year - FY2025Second Year - FY2026
Higher Education Student Financial Assistance (10800)
     a sum sufficient, estimated at
$166,169,861$167,100,971
Scholarships (10810)FY2025 $166,169,861FY2026 $167,100,971
Fund Sources:  
GeneralFY2025 $127,722,555FY2026 $128,653,665
Higher Education OperatingFY2025 $38,447,306FY2026 $38,447,306

Authority: Title 23.1, Chapter 29, Code of Virginia.


A. Out of this appropriation, $150,000 the first year and $150,000 the second year from the general fund is designated for Tidewater Community College to support an apprenticeship program for Virginia's shipyard workers. All general fund amounts appropriated for this apprenticeship program shall be used to provide scholarships to shipyard workers enrolled in the program. The conditions for receiving a scholarship shall be those conditions described in § 23.1-2912, Code of Virginia.


B. Funding in this Item shall be allocated for the Virginia Guarenteed Assistance Program, the Commonwealth Award and need-based student financial assistance for industry-based certifications or related programs that do not qualify for other sources of student financial assistance.


C. Up to 15 percent of the funding in this item may be used to support Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program eligible students for (1) priority funding who are enrolled in Data Science and Technology, Science and Engineering, Healthcare and Education programs and (2) as a grant for students in innovative internship programs provided that the institutions has at least one private sector partner and the grant is matched equally by the partner with non-state funding and / or the institution from private funds.


D.1. Out of this appropriation, $34,500,000 the first year and $34,500,000 the second year from the general fund is designated for the Get Skilled, Get a Job, Give Back Program (G3 Program) pursuant to § 23.1-2911.2.


The programs covered under the G3 Program by Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) Codes are as follows:


CIP Code

 

Description

 

11.0101

 

Computer and Information Sciences, General

 

11.0103

 

Information Technology

 

11.0201

 

Computer Programming/ Programmer, General

 

11.0701

 

Computer Science

 

11.0801

 

Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design

 

11.0901

 

Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications

 

11.1001

 

Network and System Administration/ Administrator

 

11.1003

 

Computer and Information Systems Security/Information Assurance

 

12.0500

 

Cooking and Related Culinary Arts, General

 

13.0101

 

Education, General

 

13.1013

 

Education/Teaching of Individuals with Autism

 

13.1501

 

Teacher Assistant/Aide

 

13.1202

 

Elementary Education and Teaching

 

13.1205

 

Secondary Education and Teaching

 

14.0101

 

Engineering, General

 

15.0000

 

Engineering and Engineering-Related Fields

 

15.0101

 

Architectural Engineering Technology/Technician

 

15.0201

 

Civil Engineering Technology/Technician

 

15.0303

 

Electrical, Electronic and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician

 

15.0305

 

Telecommunications Technology/Technician

 

15.0599

 

Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians, Other

 

15.0612

 

Industrial Technology/Technician

 

15.0613

 

Manufacturing Engineering Technology/Technician

 

15.0699

 

Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians, Other

 

15.0899

 

Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians, Other

 

15.0901

 

Mining Technology/Technician

 

15.1301

 

Drafting and Design Technology/Technician, General

 

15.1302

 

CAD/CADD Drafting and/or Design Technology/Technician

 

15.1303

 

Architectural Drafting and Architectural CAD/CADD

 

15.1401

 

Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician

 

15.9999

 

Engineering Technologies and Engineering-Related Fields, Other

 

19.0707

 

Family and Community Services

 

19.0709

 

Child Care Provider/Assistant

 

30.0101

 

Biological and Physical Sciences

 

41.0101

 

Biology Technician/Biotechnology Laboratory Technician

 

43.0102

 

Corrections

 

43.0103

 

Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration

 

43.0104

 

Criminal Justice/Safety Studies

 

43.0106

 

Forensic Science and Technology

 

43.0107

 

Criminal Justice/Police Science

 

43.0203

 

Fire Science/Fire-fighting

 

43.0303

 

Critical Infrastructure Protection

 

43.0406

 

Homeland Security, Other

 

43.9999

 

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other

 

46.0000

 

Construction Trades

 

46.0302

 

Electrician

 

47.0000

 

Mechanic and Repair Technologies / Technicians

 

47.0101

 

Electrical/Electronics Equipment Installation and Repair, General

 

47.0105

 

Industrial Electronics Technology/Technician

 

47.0201

 

Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician

 

47.0603

 

Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician

 

47.0604

 

Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician

 

47.0605

 

Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician

 

47.0607

 

Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician

 

48.0000

 

Precision Production

 

48.0501

 

Machine Tool Technology/Machinist

 

48.0508

 

Welding Technology/Welder

 

48.0599

 

Precision Metal Working, Other

 

48.0701

 

Woodworking, General

 

51.0601

 

Dental Assisting/Assistant

 

51.0602

 

Dental Hygiene/Hygienist

 

51.0603

 

Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician

 

51.0707

 

Health Information/Medical Records Technology/Technician

 

51.0708

 

Medical Transcription/ Transcriptionist

 

51.0713

 

Medical Insurance Coding Specialist/Coder

 

51.0799

 

Health and Medical Administrative Services, Other

 

51.0801

 

Medical/Clinical Assistant

 

51.0803

 

Occupational Therapist Assistant

 

51.0805

 

Pharmacy Technician/Assistant

 

51.0806

 

Physical Therapy Technician/Assistant

 

51.0808

 

Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician and Veterinary Assistant

 

51.0904

 

Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic)

 

51.0907

 

Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist

 

51.0908

 

Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist

 

51.0909

 

Surgical Technology/Technologist

 

51.0910

 

Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician

 

51.0911

 

Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiographer

 

51.0912

 

Physician Assistant

 

51.0999

 

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions, Other

 

51.1004

 

Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technician

 

51.1005

 

Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist

 

51.1009

 

Phlebotomy Technician/Phlebotomist

 

51.1105

 

Pre-Nursing Studies

 

51.1501

 

Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling

 

51.1504

 

Community Health Services/Liaison/Counseling

 

51.1508

 

Mental Health Counseling/Counselor

 

51.1599

 

Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions, Other

 

51.1801

 

Opticianry/Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician

 

51.2706

 

Medical Informatics

 

51.3101

 

Dietetics/Dietitian

 

51.3501

 

Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage

 

51.3801

 

Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse

 

51.3899

 

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Other

 

51.3901

 

Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training

 

51.3902

 

Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide

 

52.0901

 

Hospitality Administration / Management, General

 

2. a. By December 1 of each year, the Office of Education and Labor Market Alignment within the Virginia Economic Development Partnership Authority System shall evaluate the skills and training including those provided through high school career and technical education, credentials, certifications, apprenticeships, internships, and other degree and non-degree programs needed for Virginians to fill jobs available in certified regional council areas.


b. Based on this evaluation, the Office of Education and Labor Market Alignment within the Virginia Economic Development Partnership Authority System shall make recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly what programs should be offered in each region that qualify for financial assistance under the G3 Program.


c. All additions and changes to the eligible high-demand fields for which programs may be offered pursuant to this item shall be approved by the General Assembly prior to implementation.


3. In order to be eligible for financial assistance under this program at a qualified public institution, an applicant shall:


a. Receive a total household income less than or equal to four hundred percent of the Federal Poverty Level;


b. Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a full-time or part-time student at an approved institution in an approved program specific to a high-demand field, as specified in paragraph D.1., and shall be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours per semester, or in an eligible non-credit program;


c. Have submitted complete applications for federal and state student financial aid programs for which they may be eligible.


d. In addition, healthcare workers, first responders and other essential workers as defined under Phase 1a and 1b of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and that are serving in the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic shall, subject to the provisions of paragraph D.1. of this item, be eligible for programs offered under the G-3 initiative that enhance or upgrade their skills at no cost during the period that is covered under the state of emergency and for two years thereafter.


4. In order to remain eligible for financial assistance under this program at an approved institution, a participating student shall:


a. Meet standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress and maintain the required grade point average established by federal Higher Education Act of 1965 Title IV requirements;


b. Demonstrate reasonable progress to complete their specific program of study to earn an associate degree in no more than three years;


c. Not exceed 150 percent of required credits of certificate or degree.


5. a. Payments out of this appropriation shall provide (i) grants up to the amount necessary to pay for the last-dollar cost of the enrolled institution's tuition, mandatory fees, and textbook stipend for eligible students after all other qualified federal and state financial aid, and (ii) a Student Support Incentive Grant up to $2,250 per year for eligible students who are enrolled full-time and receive full Federal Pell Grants.


b. Each Student Support Incentive Grant shall be distributed to the eligible students in two equal payments, with the first disbursement after the census date for the enrollment period is reached, and the final disbursement at the end of the term of which the students qualified. Students who withdraw or stop attending during the term shall not receive additional payments and shall be subject to repayment of the funds already received. An eligible student may receive up to $900 per semester and up to $450 per Summer Term.


6. a. Funds for marketing and public awareness efforts to increase participation in the program are contained in Item 200 of this act.


b. The governing boards of Virginia's public associate degree-granting institutions shall ensure that program participation does not exceed budget appropriation.


7. a. No later than September 1 of each year, each Virginia public associate degree-granting institution shall submit to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and the Virginia Community College System a report with data from the previous fiscal year on program participation and completion, including data on what high-demand fields are supported by students at each institution.


b. The Council and System shall work collaboratively to compile the data provided by each public associate degree-granting institution and report such data, in aggregate and by institution annually, to the Governor, the Chairs of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees, the Senate Education and Health Committee, and the House Education Committee. The report must include student enrollment, retention rates between terms and academic years, wage data including median wages prior to enrollment and one year after completion of a credential or degree, wage rates of students who have not enrolled in over a year and did not complete a credential, and a comparison of demand of jobs and completion rates. The report must disaggregate the information above by program of study, college, and student income level at start of program.