Northam Signs Tuition-Free Bill At NOVA's Alexandria Campus

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam visited the Alexandria campus of Northern Virginia Community College Monday to sign legislation that makes tuition-free community college available to low- and middle-income students who decide to pursue jobs in certain fields.

The program, called “Get Skilled, Geta Job, Give Back,” or G3, includes $36 million to cover tuition, fees and books for eligible students at the state’s two-year public colleges.

Northam signed House Bill 2204, sponsored by Speaker of the House of Delegates Eileen Filler-Corn (D-41), and Senate Bill 1405, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Richard Saslaw (D-35).

“The G3 program will connect thousands of Virginians with the skills, training, and resources they need to secure jobs in high-demand fields and support themselves and their families — all without being forced to shoulder mountains of student debt,” Northam said Monday in a statement. “Tuition-free community college was one of the key issues I ran on during my campaign for governor, and I am thrilled to be delivering on that promise.”

The tuition-free community college initiative targets key industries, including health care, information technology and computer science, manufacturing and skilled trades, public safety, and early childhood education.

The G3 program also provides financial assistance to help students at the lowest income levels with expenses such as food, transportation, and child care. Students who qualify for a full federal Pell grant and enroll full-time will receive student- support incentive grants on a semester basis. These grants will be in an amount up to $900 per semester and up to $450 per summer term.

Participating colleges will receive a performance payment for every eligible student receiving a student-support incentive grant that successfully completes 30 credit hours, and an additional performance payment when the student earns an associate degree.

To prepare for the G3 program, Northam announced a collaborative effort in 2018 to transform workforce programs offered through the Virginia Community College System. This model equips students with skills training on day one and provides continual pathways for working adults to obtain additional credentials throughout their career.

Eligibility for the G3 program will be determined through the submission of applications for federal and state student financial aid, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. Through June 30, Virginia students and families can go to virginiacan.org/fafsa to schedule a virtual meeting with a FAFSA advisor.