2015 Code of Virginia
Title 23 - Educational Institutions
§ 23-38.53:6. Eligible students; criteria for awarding grants; renewals

A. Only students who (i) are domiciled residents of Virginia as defined by § 23-7.4 and who are graduates of a high school in the Commonwealth with a cumulative secondary school grade point average of at least 2.5 on a scale of 4.0 or its equivalent, or (ii) are dependent children of active duty military personnel residing outside the Commonwealth pursuant to military orders and claiming Virginia on their State of Legal Residence Certificate and satisfying the domicile requirements for such active duty military personnel pursuant to subsection B of § 23-7.4, and who are graduates of a high school inside or outside the Commonwealth with a cumulative secondary school grade point average of at least 2.5 on a scale of 4.0 or its equivalent, and who (iii) are accepted for enrollment as dependent students in any public institution of higher education in Virginia, and (iv) are not receiving state discretionary aid and demonstrate financial need as defined by the State Council of Higher Education shall be eligible to receive such awards.

B. The amount of the Guaranteed Assistance Program grant awarded students shall be determined annually by the State Council of Higher Education. Eligibility for such awards shall be determined according to the Congressional methodology for determining financial need and eligibility for financial aid.

C. All grants shall be awarded for one year, but may be renewed annually for no more than three subsequent years of study if the recipient:

1. Maintains at least a 2.0 grade point average on a scale of 4.0 or its equivalent;

2. Demonstrates continued financial need;

3. Makes satisfactory academic progress toward a degree, earning not less than the minimum number of hours of credit required for full-time standing in each academic period during enrollment at a public institution of higher education in Virginia; and

4. Maintains continuous enrollment for not less than two semesters or three quarters in each successive academic year, unless granted an exception for cause by the State Council of Higher Education.

1992, c. 879; 1993, c. 832; 1994, c. 789; 2002, c. 114.