Va. subcommittee backs bill to consolidate two state need-based grants into a single Commonwealth Fund

The Virginia Senate Higher Education Subcommittee on Thursday voted to recommend SB 167 to the full committee, a bill that would combine two state need-based financial aid programs into a single Commonwealth Fund.

Senator Van Valkenburg, the bill sponsor, said the change is aimed at "simplifying and transparency" and improving "accessibility and stability" for students and families navigating multiple aid programs. He told the panel the two existing programs together are "responsible for $408,000,000 in awards." According to the sponsor, the legislation would phase out the Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program and designate the Commonwealth Fund as the single needs-based state grant.

Representatives of public universities and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia spoke in favor. A James Madison University official was identified as available to answer technical questions, and Grace Couture of the State Council of Higher Education said she supported the bill.

The sponsor said the change carries no fiscal impact because it does not change total funding levels; rather, it consolidates program structure and eligibility criteria. The subcommittee moved and seconded the bill for reporting to the full committee.

Next step: SB 167 will go to the full Senate committee on Thursday morning for further consideration.