FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Reynolds students discuss access, tuition costs with lawmakers RICHMOND, VA (February 15, 2007) –Mea Molnar told Delegate John O’Bannon (R-Henrico) that although she will graduate in May, she plans to attend Reynolds another year simply because she cannot afford to transfer to a four-year college or university in the fall. “With two kids and one income, I just can’t come up with the tuition and fees to attend VCU this fall so I will go for another associates degree. Hopefully, the transfer bill will pass in time for me to transfer next year,” she said. Over the course of three days, Molnar and a cadre of her fellow students recently toiled through the crowded hallways of the General Assembly Building sharing their stories with lawmakers. The students expressed concerns about rising tuition costs in the Commonwealth and asked their respective delegates and senators to support the Community College Transfer Grant Program. Introduced jointly by Senate Majority Leader Walter A. Stosch (R-Henrico) and House Appropriations Committee Chairman Vincent F. Callahan, Jr. (R-Fairfax), the transfer grant legislation addresses the dual challenges of accessibility and affordability currently confronting Virginia’s colleges and universities. The program would allow qualified students who graduate with an associate degree from a Virginia community college to attend a four-year Virginia college or university at the same tuition level as community colleges. Like Molnar, Adrian Jones also has the rising cost of tuition on his mind. The Highland Springs resident has been granted early admission to Virginia Tech and plans to transfer this fall, but money will be tight. Currently, community college tuition is one-third that of a public four-year institution in Virginia. “Having an opportunity to meet face to face with my representatives and tell them how valuable J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College has been to me is extremely important,” said Jones. “Hopefully, our conversations today will lead to more scholarship and grant opportunities for those students who follow us.” Serving over 17,000 students annually, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College is the youngest and third largest of 23 community colleges in Virginia. The College operates three campuses serving residents in the City of Richmond and the counties of Henrico, Hanover, Goochland, Powhatan and Louisa. ### J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Press Center |
