{"id":331,"date":"2019-12-12T15:28:00","date_gmt":"2019-12-12T19:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/?p=331"},"modified":"2019-12-12T15:28:00","modified_gmt":"2019-12-12T19:28:00","slug":"governor-northam-unveils-tuition-free-community-college-program-for-low-and-middle-income-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sw.edu\/news\/2019\/12\/12\/governor-northam-unveils-tuition-free-community-college-program-for-low-and-middle-income-students\/","title":{"rendered":"Governor Northam Unveils Tuition-Free Community College Program for Low- and Middle-Income Students"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You may have heard a major education funding proposal was coming forward; today it was officially unveiled as: The Governor\u2019s \u201cGet Skilled, Get a Job, Give Back\u201d initiative, or \u201cG3\u201d program. I want you to know that, if passed, this has major potential for our students and our community. It will not replace what our counties are already doing to make college an option for students. While it could potentially reduce the need for some of their financial support, it will certainly not eliminate it since this funding only impacts students (both HS and adults) seeking training in specific fields (health care, IT, early childhood, skilled trades, and public safety). <\/p>

I’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have, but we’ll be pushing hard to convince our legislators to support this request. <\/p>Dr. Tommy Wright, President of Southwest Virginia Community College<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

~ Proposed budget includes $145 million for Governor\u2019s signature \u2018Get Skilled, Get a Job, Give Back\u2019 initiative ~<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ANNANDALE\u2014<\/strong>Governor Ralph Northam today announced his proposed budget will include $145 million over the biennium to make tuition-free community college available to low- and middle-income students who pursue jobs in high-demand fields. The Governor\u2019s \u201cGet Skilled, Get a Job, Give Back\u201d initiative, or \u201cG3\u201d program, will provide financial support to cover tuition, fees, and books for eligible students at the Commonwealth\u2019s two-year public institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEveryone deserves the opportunity to get a good education and a good job, no matter who you are or how much money you have,\u201d said Governor Northam<\/strong>. \u201cThis is an investment in equity and our economy\u2014by helping Virginians get the skills they need, we\u2019re building a world-class workforce while ensuring all Virginians can support themselves, their families, and their communities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The G3 program is one of the first in the nation to provide wraparound financial assistance to help students at the lowest income levels with expenses such as food, transportation, and childcare. Students who qualify for full Federal Pell Grants and enroll full-time will receive a Student Support Incentive Grant on a semester basis. These grants will be in an amount up to $1,000 per semester and up to $500 per summer term. Each participating institution will receive a Performance Payment per eligible student receiving a Student Support Incentive Grant that successfully completes 30 credit hours and an additional Performance Payment when such a student earns an associate degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initiative will target key industries, from health care and information technology to skilled trades, public safety, and early childhood education. Data show that on average, participants in these high-demand degree programs increase their wages by 60 percent upon program completion and double their individual state tax contributions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWith Virginia\u2019s record low unemployment rate, businesses are hungry for skilled talent,\u201d said Chief Workforce Development Advisor Megan Healy<\/strong>. \u201cThe G3 program will help Virginia businesses of all sizes fill open jobs, connect Virginians with the necessary training and credentials to find good-paying work, and grow the Commonwealth\u2019s economy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To remain eligible for the G3 program, students will be required to sign a Community Engagement Agreement and complete two hours of work experience, community service, or public service for every credit hour enrolled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWith rising tuition costs, many Virginians are opting out of higher education,\u201d said secretary of Education Atif Qarni<\/strong>. \u201cThe G3 program provides affordable, accessible workforce pathways that will prepare the Commonwealth\u2019s students for the growing number of high need jobs that do not require a four-year degree.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Governor Northam participated in a statewide workforce development tour<\/a> in August and September where he spoke to more than 1,000 business and community leaders in every region of Virginia. The Governor heard directly from businesses who struggle to find the talent they need, especially in \u201cnew collar,\u201d or middle-skill jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To prepare for the G3 program, last year Governor Northam announced<\/a> a collaborative effort to transform workforce programs offered through the Virginia Community College System. This model will equip students with skills training on day one and provide continual pathways for working adults to obtain additional credentials throughout their career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis large investment will help tens of thousands of Virginians earn the skills needed to fully participate in our 21st century economy,\u201d said Glenn Dubois, Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System<\/strong>. \u201cWith the redesign of our workforce programs, we are ready to make sure all Virginians can get the right skills for the jobs of today and tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watch the video of today\u2019s announcement here<\/a>. Governor Northam will address the Joint Money Committees on December 17 to share the full details of his budget plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Full Release<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

You may have heard a major education funding proposal was coming forward; today it was officially unveiled as: The Governor\u2019s \u201cGet Skilled, Get a Job, Give Back\u201d initiative, or \u201cG3\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":339,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[27,36,16],"tags":[55,28],"class_list":["post-331","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-press-release","category-top-news","tag-governor","tag-tuition"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nGovernor Northam Unveils Tuition-Free Community College Program for Low- and Middle-Income Students - 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