Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP)
VGAP is a Virginia need-based program administered by public colleges. An initial award generally requires full-time enrollment, Virginia domicile, financial need, and graduation from a Virginia high school, with specified exceptions for some homeschool students or military dependents. Regulations set a 2.5 minimum high-school GPA. The institution verifies eligibility before setting an amount. Aid may cover in-state tuition and a book allowance under program rules and campus
About Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP)
VGAP is a Virginia need-based program administered by public colleges. An initial award generally requires full-time enrollment, Virginia domicile, financial need, and graduation from a Virginia high school, with specified exceptions for some homeschool students or military dependents. Regulations set a 2.5 minimum high-school GPA. The institution verifies eligibility before setting an amount.
Aid may cover in-state tuition and a book allowance under program rules and campus funds; it does not automatically cover housing, meals, or other charges. Renewal requires continued full-time enrollment, Virginia residency, and academic progress. Ask how transfer credits, enrollment breaks, and changes in course load affect continued eligibility.
A 2026 law provides that no new awards will be made to first-time entrants beginning fall 2027. Students receiving VGAP in 2026–27 may renew for up to three additional years, four years total, if they remain eligible. Future students should compare options such as Commonwealth Award; current recipients should keep their award letter and ask the college to confirm their cohort and remaining years in writing.
Who it serves and what it can cover: VGAP is a Virginia need-based program administered by public colleges. An initial award generally requires full-time enrollment, Virginia domicile, financial need, and graduation from a Virginia high school, with specified exceptions for some homeschool students or military dependents. Regulations set a 2.5 minimum high-school GPA. The institution verifies eligibility before setting an amount. Aid may cover in-state tuition and a book allowance under program rules and campus funds; it does not automatically cover housing, meals, or other charges. Renewal requires continued full-time enrollment, Virginia residency, and academic progress. Ask how transfer credits, enrollment breaks, and changes in course load affect continued eligibility.
How to apply or get help: A 2026 law provides that no new awards will be made to first-time entrants beginning fall 2027. Students receiving VGAP in 2026–27 may renew for up to three additional years, four years total, if they remain eligible. Future students should compare options such as Commonwealth Award; current recipients should keep their award letter and ask the college to confirm their cohort and remaining years in writing. For case-specific questions, contact the program or financial-aid office named on its official page.
College financial-aid program