FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Steve Vehorn Phone: (804) 523-5230 E-Mail: svehorn@reynolds.edu
JSRCC PRESIDENT SUPPORTS COLLEGE TRANSFER GRANT BILL
Grant would allow graduates to maintain community college rate at four-year institution
RICHMOND, Va (January 25, 2006) - J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College President Dr. Gary Rhodes announced his support of the newly created Community College Transfer Grant Program bill that is currently in the Virginia General Assembly.
The new bill creates a Community College Transfer Grant Program, which will provide higher education grants or vouchers to residents of Virginia who have successfully completed an associate's degree and have been admitted to an accredited nonprofit public or private institution of higher education. Eligibility will be limited to two academic years or the equivalent number of credit hours, and the student must enroll full-time at an eligible institution within one calendar year of the completion of the associate's degree.
“We want our students and potential students to know that legislation has been introduced in the Virginia General Assembly that would make it possible for them to pay the same tuition rate for their junior and senior years at a four-year institution as they would pay at their community college,” says Rhodes.
For students attending a public four-year college or university, the amount of the award will be based on the difference between the cost of tuition and educational and general fees paid at a community college and the cost of tuition and fees at the four-year college.
For students attending a private four-year college or university, the amount will be based on the difference between the cost of tuition and educational and general fees paid at a community college and the average cost of such tuition and fees at a public four-year institution.
“There are variations of this bill in the General Assembly, but they would all provide a community college transfer grant, essentially keeping tuition at the community college rate for the junior and senior years,” added Rhodes. “We hope our community will support this bill by sending an email or letter to their delegate or senator.”
“This bill would allow many of my college classmates the opportunity to attend four-year institutions, of where before they probably couldn’t have afforded it,” says JSRCC nursing student Keena Collier. “A number of JSRCC students graduate with great grades and would love the opportunity to advance their education to a four-year school, but just don’t have the money to do it.”
For more information on the Community College Transfer Grant Program bill, click on http://www.vccs.edu/legislativeline/ or to discuss the proposed bill with Dr. Rhodes or a JSRCC student, contact JSRCC Assistant Director of Marketing and Public Relations Steve Vehorn at (804) 523-5229 or svehorn@reynolds.edu.
