A BILL to amend and reenact § 23.1-628 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Tuition Assistance Grant Program; eligible institutions.
HB1354 amends Virginia’s Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG) Program statute to change the definition of “eligible institution” for participating private nonprofit colleges and universities. The bill keeps the program focused on nonprofit private institutions of higher education, including nonprofit private historically Black colleges and universities in Virginia, and it preserves the existing requirement that institutions be accredited by an appropriate national or regional accrediting agency.
The main substantive change is in the eligibility criteria for institutions admitted to the program on or after January 1, 2011. Under the bill, those institutions would need to be formed, chartered, established, or incorporated in Virginia; have their principal place of business in Virginia; conduct their primary educational activity in Virginia; and meet the applicable accreditation requirement. The bill also adds a statutory definition of “principal place of business,” using factors such as where executive offices are located, where the chief executive officer’s office is located, where the board meets, and where overall operations are directed.
If enacted, HB1354 would narrow and clarify which private nonprofit institutions may receive Tuition Assistance Grant funding for Virginia students by tying eligibility more explicitly to in-state organizational and operational presence. It would amend § 23.1-628 of the Code of Virginia, affecting the administration of the TAG Program, participating institutions, and students who rely on grants to attend eligible private colleges. The bill could exclude or limit access for institutions that do not meet the new Virginia-based formation, business, and operations criteria.
The available record shows no committee transcript or recorded votes, so there is no documented floor or committee debate to indicate broad support or opposition. Procedurally, the bill was referred to the Appropriations Committee and ultimately left in committee, which suggests it did not advance, but the provided materials do not explain why. Based on the text alone, the bill appears to be a technical policy change focused on eligibility standards rather than a highly controversial overhaul.
The likely point of contention is whether Virginia should restrict TAG eligibility to institutions with a stronger in-state corporate and operational footprint. Supporters would likely view the bill as ensuring state grant dollars support Virginia-based institutions, while opponents could argue it may reduce student choice or disadvantage certain nonprofit institutions, including those with multi-state governance or operations. The inclusion of historically Black colleges and universities as a specific category suggests an effort to preserve their eligibility, but the broader residency and principal-place-of-business requirements could still be debated.