HB265 • 2026

Students, certain; grants at public institutions of higher education, qualifications.

<p class=ldtitle>A BILL to amend and reenact § 23.1-601 of the Code of Virginia, relating to grants for certain students at public institutions of higher education; qualifications.</p>

Children Education

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor: Tata
Last action: 2026-02-18
Official status: Failed
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide details on how public colleges will fund the changes or if there are additional requirements for students besides those listed.

Grants for Foster Care Students at Public Colleges

This bill changes the requirements for grants that help pay for college tuition, fees, and room and board for certain students who were in foster care after turning 14.

What This Bill Does

Removes the requirement for public colleges to provide grants to Virginia students who were considered special needs adoptions after they turned 14.
Clarifies that only Virginia students who received a high school diploma or passed an approved equivalency exam and were in foster care in the Commonwealth after turning 14 are eligible for these grants.

Who It Names or Affects

Public institutions of higher education in Virginia
Virginia students who were in foster care after turning 14

Terms To Know

foster care: A system where children are placed with families approved by the government when they cannot live with their own parents.
high school equivalency examination: An exam that a person can take to show they have knowledge equivalent to graduating from high school, such as the GED test.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how public colleges will fund these changes.
It is unclear if there are any other requirements for students besides those listed in the bill.

Bill History

2026-02-18 House
Left in Education
2026-02-02 Higher Education
Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (8-Y 2-N)
2026-01-30 Higher Education
Assigned HED sub: Higher Education
2026-01-29 House
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB265)
2026-01-09 House
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103895D
2026-01-09 Education
Referred to Committee on Education

Official Summary Text

Grants for certain students at public institutions of higher education; qualifications.
Removes the requirement for each public institution of higher education to provide a grant for the payment of tuition, certain mandatory education and general fees, and, at baccalaureate institutions, room and board, for any Virginia student who was considered a special needs adoption at any time after he turned 14. The bill also clarifies that only a Virginia student who has received a high school diploma or has passed a high school equivalency examination approved by the Board of Education and who was in foster care in the Commonwealth after he turned 14 or who was in foster care in the Commonwealth when he turned 18 and subsequently received a high school diploma or passed a high school equivalency examination approved by the Board of Education is eligible for such a grant. Current law that governs such grant eligibility is silent on the location of such foster care placement.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

A BILL to amend and reenact §
23.1-601
of the Code of Virginia, relating to grants for certain students at public institutions of higher education; qualifications.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §
23.1-601
of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§
23.1-601
. Public institutions of higher education; grants for tuition, room and board, and fees for certain individuals; point of contact.

A. Each public institution of higher education shall provide a grant for the payment of tuition and mandatory education and general fees, except fees established for the purpose of paying for course materials such as laboratory fees, and, if such institution is a baccalaureate public institution of higher education, room and board, for any Virginia student who:

1.
a.
Has received a high school diploma or has passed a high school equivalency examination approved by the Board of Education and was in foster care
in the Commonwealth
or in the custody of the Department of Social Services

or was considered a special needs adoption
at any time after he turned 14
; or

b. Was in foster care when he turned 18 and subsequently received a high school diploma or passed a high school equivalency examination approved by the Board of Education
;

2. Is enrolled or has been accepted for enrollment as a full-time or part-time student, taking a minimum of six credit hours per semester, in a degree or certificate program of at least one academic year in length or in a noncredit workforce credential program in a comprehensive community college;

3. Has not been enrolled in postsecondary education as a full-time student for more than five years or does not have a bachelor's degree;

4. Maintains the required grade point average established by the governing board of the institution at which he is enrolled;

5. Has submitted complete applications for federal student financial aid programs for which he may be eligible;

6. Demonstrates financial need; and

7. Meets any additional financial need requirements established by the governing board of the institution at which he is enrolled for the purposes of such grant.

B. The State Board and the Council, in consultation with the Department of Social Services, shall establish regulations governing such grants. The regulations shall include provisions addressing renewals of grants, financial need, the calculation of grant amounts after consideration of any additional financial resources or aid the student holds, the minimum grade point average required to retain such grant, and procedures for the repayment of tuition and fees for failure to meet the requirements imposed by this section.

C. Each public institution of higher education shall identify at least one employee of the institution to serve as a point of contact for each enrolled student who was in foster care
in the Commonwealth
or in the custody of the Department of Social Services
or was considered a special needs adoption
in order to provide such student with support and guidance, including support and guidance relating to financial aid and any associated applications or other required paperwork.