Students wishing to attend college in Henrico County, Virginia may be eligible to receive a federal Pell Grant to assist with their expenses. Pell Grants are available for undergraduate students planning to receive a bachelor's degree or certificate who have not yet earned a bachelor's degree or a professional degree. However, teachers who are enrolled in post-baccalaureate teacher certification programs may be eligible to receive Pell Grants. Many federal financial aid packages begin with Pell Grant awards. For the 2010-11 Pell Grant award year, the maximum award amount is $5,550. The award year runs from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011. Pell Grant award amounts vary based on the financial needs of applicants, tuition and expense costs, and status as a full-time or part-time student. Students may be able to receive two Pell Grant awards during any one award year. Students should contact the financial aid offices of their colleges for more information about the Pell Grant or to receive an application.
The Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG) program was established in 1972 to provide Virginia residents with financial assistance to attend qualifying private or non-profit colleges and universities in Virginia. In order to be eligible for the TAG, students must meet certain requirements, including: they must be enrolled as an undergraduate, graduate, or professional student on a full-time basis; they must be enrolled in a qualifying college or university; they must be pursuing a qualifying degree of studies.
TAG awards vary and are based on the amount of award funds available and the number of applicable. For the 2010-11 year, the annual TAG award is $2,600 for undergraduate students and $1,130 for graduate students. Award grants are renewed automatically as long as the student continues to meet the qualifications for the award. Students may receive a TAG application through the financial aid office of their college or university.
The Virginia Commonwealth Award Program is a need-based grant program that helps qualifying undergraduate students pay for part of their educational expenses and helps qualifying graduate students afford their college costs. The program for undergraduate students is based on financial need, so students that demonstrate the greatest need will receive the largest grant award.
To be eligible for the program, students must be admitted and plan to attend a public two or four-year institution in Virginia. They must also be enrolled as a full-time or part-time student in a qualifying program. Qualifying applicants must also be U.S. citizens and residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Award amounts vary based on available funds and may be different from institution to institution. The awards may also be renewed as long as the student continues to qualify for the program. Program funds are available through colleges and universities, so students should contact the financial aid offices of their institutions for more information about applying for the program.