New Virginia program offers free community college tuition to lower-income students

Northam signs legislation enacting the G3 program.

Students from low and middle-income households in Virginia are now eligible for free tuition at community colleges in certain high-demand fields.

Gov. Ralph Northam signed legislation March 29 at the Alexandria campus of Northern Virginia Community College creating the “Get Skilled, Get a Job, Give Back” (G3) initiative. 

The new program provides $36 million to cover tuition, fees, books, and wrap-around services to help an estimated 36,000 Virginians attend a two-year public institution.  

The legislation was carried by Senate Majority Leader Richard Saslaw and Speaker of the House of Delegates Eileen Filler-Corn, both of whom represent Northern Virginia. 

The G3 program serves students seeking careers in key industries, including healthcare, information technology and computer science, manufacturing and skilled trades, public safety, and early childhood education. 

On average, students who get a job in one of these high-demand programs after completing a degree increase their wages by 60 percent and double their individual state tax contributions.

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 up to $900 per semester and up to $450 per summer term. Students can use those grants for living expenses, including food, transportation, and childcare.

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

Initial eligibility for the G3 program is determined through the submission of applications for federal and state student financial aid, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 

To address pandemic-related declines in FAFSA completion rates, Northam recently announced a statewide effort to offer free, one-on-one FAFSA advising through June 30. Virginia students and families can sign up online to schedule a virtual meeting with a FAFSA advisor.

“Building an equitable and inclusive economy is more important than ever as we emerge from this pandemic,” Northam said. “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.”