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Higher Ed

Higher Ed

The Youngkin Administration Higher Education Agenda: A Commitment To Preparing Every Graduate For Success In Life

Governor Youngkin and his Administration are committed to building a world class workforce development system. Our colleges and universities must be laser-focused on ensuring every student is prepared for success in life. Virginia graduates must be ready to be productive members of our economy, our democracy, and our communities. As we strive to make Virginia the best place to live, work, and raise a family, our Administration will work in unison with the Council of Presidents, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, the Virginia Community College System, and all our higher education institutions to make sure Virginia is the best place to learn. Together we will:

Prepare Students For High Demand Jobs In Virginia

  • Redefine success as career-aligned job attainment, efficient attainment of credentials and degrees, and continual upskilling and reskilling for all students
  • Prioritize aligning curriculum, programs, and requirements to our state's most in-demand workforce needs
  • Prioritize a meaningful internship or work-based learning experience as part of the college experience
  • Conduct a multi-year study on the future of higher education in Virginia to ensure our higher education system is focused on preparing graduates for the jobs of the knowledge economy and is utilizing best practices from both the Commonwealth and across the nation

Promote A Vibrant, Safe, And Healthy Campus

  • Prioritize vibrant, safe, and healthy campuses that allow students to grow and foster relationships through in-person learning
  • Value and promote a campus culture that embraces and prioritizes free inquiry, civil discourse, and a commitment to free speech
  • Prioritize the mental health and well-being of students, faculty, and staff

Maintain Affordability And Reduce The Cost Of Higher Education

  • Reduce costs and keep tuition low for the long-term through strategic solutions that come from leveraging technology, more efficient delivery methods, partnerships with other stakeholders, and innovating and finding new or expanded sources of revenue
  • Conduct a comprehensive review of staffing, overhead, academic majors and course offerings, and increase attention on spending and procurement oversight
  • Prioritize operating cost transparency and financial health and outcomes through a strategic and reimagined six-year plan process to be implemented in Spring 2023

Build The College And Career Ready Pipeline In Partnership With K-12 School Divisions

  • Launch lab schools across the Commonwealth at all of Virginia's public and private institutions and higher education centers
  • Strengthen "Pathway Programs" which provide pipelines and specific programs for underserved students across the Commonwealth

Financial Aid

Federal Student Aid: FAFSA® Application | Federal Student Aid
Federal and State Financial Aid: Financial Aid | Virginia State Council Of Higher Education, VA
Virginia G3 Tuition Assistance for Community College Programs: https://virginiag3.com/