A grant is financial aid for which neither work nor repayment is required. The following are the federal-funded grant programs available at VWCC.

Foster Care Tuition Grant Program

The Foster Grant provides tuition and fee support to students who were in foster care, in the custody of the Department of Social Services, or considered a special needs adoption at the time of high school graduation or completion of a GED. To qualify, a student must:

  • be a legal resident of Virginia
  • be enrolled at least half-time (6-8 credits)
  • be in an academic program at least one academic year in length
  • complete and submit the FAFSA
  • not have been previously enrolled full-time in a postsecondary institution for more than five years
  • demonstrate financial need
  • not have a prior Bachelor’s degree

Part-time Tuition Assistance Program (PTAP)

PTAP is a state-funded program under which legal residents of Virginia can receive tuition support for 1-8 credit hours. The full amount covers tuition and fees only. If your total tuition and fees are LESS than the award shown, your actual award will be adjusted after the drop/add period. If you are registered for more than 8 credit hours, please contact the Financial Aid Office to replace the grant with the COMA grant (see below), if funds are available.

Virginia Commonwealth Grant (COMA)

COMA is a state-funded program under which legal residents of Virginia can receive support up to the full amount of their tuition expense. This grant covers tuition and fees only. You must be registered for six or more credits to be eligible for COMA. If you are registered for fewer than six credit hours, please contact the Financial Aid Office to replace the grant with the PTAP (see below), if funds are available.

Virginia Community College System Grant (VCCS)

VCCS is a state-funded program under which legal residents of Virginia may receive tuition support and a book allowance if funds are available.

Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP)

VGAP is for first-time freshmen. Money may cover tuition and some book allowance. To qualify, a student must be a dependent, must be enrolled on a full-time basis, and must demonstrate a high school grade point average of at least 2.50. A recipient who maintains full-time status throughout the year and attains a cumulative grade point average of at least a 2.0 can receive a renewal award for the second year of study.

Renewal requirements are:

  • Completion of a FAFSA and demonstration of financial need
  • Continued enrollment in an eligible degree or certificate program
  • Continued legal residency in Virginia
  • At least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average
  • Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards
  • Full-time status (at least 12 hours) throughout each semester of the academic year
  • Continuous enrollment (not counting summer sessions)
  • Remain a dependent student according to current federal regulations
  • Advance student level status by completing 30 credit hours of college level coursework within a 12-month timeframe (developmental courses do not count toward the calculation of student level status)
    • Example: For a student awarded VGAP beginning with the fall term, the student must complete 30 credits and continue to meet all other VGAP eligibility requirements by the beginning of the next fall term to be eligible for a renewal VGAP award.
      • A student who does not complete 30 credit hours within the 12-month timeframe may be reconsidered for VGAP for the term after advancing student level status with the successful completion of 30 credit hours.
    • Student level
      • Freshman – 1 to 29 credits
      • Sophomore – 30+ credits