Virginia House Bill HB981

Virginia 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Higher ed. institutions, public; tuition and financial aid, dependency override application form.

Impact

The impact of this bill on existing state laws is notably significant as it amends the Code of Virginia by adding section 23.1-611.2. This provision mandates that each public institution must publicly provide important information regarding dependency overrides. The requirement to include explanatory content written in understandable language is intended to increase accessibility for students, thus promoting fairness in financial aid processes. Institutions will also be tasked with updating their resources and procedures in accordance with federal guidance, ensuring that they remain compliant with evolving legal standards.

Summary

House Bill 981 introduces a new requirement for public institutions of higher education in Virginia regarding the creation and maintenance of a dependency override application form. This form is designed to facilitate the process for students seeking to qualify as independent under specific unusual circumstances that impact their eligibility for tuition and financial aid. By explicitly defining these circumstances, including parental estrangement, abuse, or incarceration, the bill aims to address potential barriers for certain student populations who may otherwise struggle to receive necessary financial aid due to their living situations.

Contention

While the bill seems to have support from many advocates who emphasize its importance for student welfare, there may be points of contention regarding the administration of the program itself. Concerns could arise over how institutions define and assess eligibility for dependency overrides versus federal guidelines, as well as the potential for inconsistencies in how these applications are processed across different institutions. Additionally, there could be discussions around the adequacy of support services provided to students who find themselves in these vulnerable situations and the overall effectiveness of this bill in actually improving access to financial resources for affected students.