RICHMOND -- Last night the Virginia House of Delegates higher education subcommittee voted unanimously to support a bill that would allow students transferring from community college to four-year institutions to continue paying community college rates.
The Community College Transfer Grant Program, also known as HB 1681, put forth by Del. Vincent F. Callahan Jr., R-Fairfax, establishes a higher education funding program for residents of Virginia who have completed an associate's degree program at a Virginia state community college, subsequently been admitted to an accredited public or private four-year educational institution and met other eligibility requirements.
The bill will enable students receiving an associate's degree at a Virginia state community college to attend four-year in-state colleges and universities at a cost equivalent to their community college education. The difference between the community college tuition cost and that of the four-year institution will be subsidized by the funding program.
Prior to passing the bill, subcommittee members voted to combine similar bills on the docket into HB 1681. At the urging of Del. William H. Fralin Jr., R-Roanoke, delegates amended the bill so that the program will provide opportunities at for-profit and nonprofit universities.
Glenn DuBois, chancellor of the Virginia Community College System, expressed his unconditional support for the bill.
"The overarching goal is an environment where more Virginians pursue higher education," DuBois said. "The bill both rewards merit and recognizes financial need. For this reason, we are all in favor."
A spokesperson for Virginia21, an independent student group comprised of student council representatives from various Virginia colleges and universities, made clear its support for the bill and noted its feasibility.
"The [financial] cost is not overwhelming," said the spokesperson.
Todd Eley, co-chair of the University's Student Council Legislative Affairs Committee, however, raised concerns over where additional funds might be acquired to finance the program beyond the cost-savings plan built into the bill.
Eley explained that the bill aims to save the state money by sending students to community colleges for two years and then allowing them to transfer to four-year institutions, thereby curtailing the amount of money the state spends on financial aid.
Eley pointed out that the state may have to spend more money on the program than it saves, which he worried could potentially cause a decrease in the University's share of state-appropriated educational funds.
"We want to make sure that the program pays for itself and does not use money that could otherwise go to the University," Eley said.
According to a handout given by Eley to subcommittee members, "Student Council would prefer an enactment clause that would immediately limit the expenditures of the program to the cost savings, at least until base budget adequacy is fully met by the state."
Eley defined "base budget adequacy" as the state's funding for state universities.
"Overall, we are supportive of the program and applaud its goals," Eley said. "Our concern is in regards to the authorization of the bill versus the appropriation of funds for the bill."
Del. Steven Landes, R-Albemarle, vice-chairman of the subcommittee, recommended that Eley speak with the Appropriations Committee, where the bill will be headed once re-referred by the House Education Committee.
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