Virginia State Council Of Higher Education, VA
Home MenuResources
Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program
The purpose of the Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP) is to provide an incentive to financially needy students now attending elementary and secondary school in Virginia to raise their expectations and their academic performance and to consider higher education an achievable objective in their future. The law requires that the awards to undergraduates be proportional to need so that the students with the greatest need receive the largest awards.
Application Process
This program does not have a separate application; students must complete the FAFSA or VASA application to be considered. The application and awarding processes are administered by the financial aid office at each Virginia public college or university. Contact the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend for application procedures and deadlines.
Eligibility
In order for an undergraduate student to be eligible for an award, a student must:
- Be admitted into a Virginia public two-or four-year college or university;
- Be enrolled full-time in an approved degree, certificate, or diploma program;
- Be a Virginia student as determined by 1) meeting domiciliary resident of Virginia as defined by the Code of Virginia §23.1-502 and augmented by the Domicile Guidelines, 2) meeting the military dependent requirements under § 23.1-505 or 3) meeting the Tuition Equity provision requirements under § 23.1-505.1;
- Demonstrate financial need as determined by the institution;
- Be a graduate from a Virginia high school or complete a program of home school instruction in accordance with §22.1-254.1 (students who obtain a GED are not eligible);
- Have at least a cumulative high school grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent);
- If a home school completer: achieve a SAT verbal and math combined score of at least 980 or ACT Composite score of at least 19;
- Be in compliance with federal Selective Service registration requirements; and
- Have applied for financial aid by completing the federal Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) application by the institution’s published financial aid application deadline.
Awards
The actual awards will vary by institution; however, those students found to be in the neediest category will receive awards of at least tuition. The maximum award is the cost of tuition, required fees, and a book allowance. Limit of one year of award per class level.
Renewal
Awards may be renewed for up to three additional years provided that the student:
- Maintains continuous full-time enrollment;
- Maintains domiciliary residency in Virginia;
- Demonstrates continued financial need;
- Maintains a college grade point average of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent;
- Maintains the satisfactory academic progress standards of the institution for federal student aid programs; and
- Has advanced class levels upon completion of each year of award received (VGAP is restricted to no more than one year - 12 months - per class level - FR, SO, JR, SR).