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Bill > HB404
VA HB404
VA HB404Enslaved Ancestors College Access Scholarship and Memorial Program; scholarships, administration.
summary
Introduced
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
In Committee
02/18/2026
02/18/2026
Crossed Over
02/16/2026
02/16/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Regular Session
Bill Summary
Enslaved Ancestors College Access Scholarship and Memorial Program; parameters. Prohibits any such institution from passing the cost of any scholarship program established in accordance with the provisions of the Enslaved Ancestors College Access Scholarship and Memorial Program to other enrolled students by increasing the rate of tuition or mandatory fees.The bill also requires the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to (i) establish a work group that consists of a representative of each institution that participates in the Program that meets at least semiannually to discuss Program administration, including sharing best practices on administration and research, coordinating funding and fundraising strategies, developing outreach and marketing plans, collaborating on historical and genealogical research efforts, and aligning government and community engagement initiatives and (ii) develop and maintain a single statewide online portal that describes each institution's program, criteria, and investments in scholarship students or the community, lists designated points of contact at each institution, shares application timelines and processes, and offers historical context and ongoing memorial updates.
AI Summary
This bill renames the Enslaved Ancestors College Access Scholarship and Memorial Program to the Enslaved or Displaced Ancestors College Access Scholarship and Memorial Program and expands its reach by including Christopher Newport University and Old Dominion University, acknowledging the displacement of residents from specific neighborhoods in Newport News and Norfolk, respectively. These universities, along with others participating in the program, are now required to fund scholarships from their endowment funds or through fundraising, not by increasing tuition or fees for other students. These scholarships must be awarded based on student merit and academic potential, covering the full cost of tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board, and must be provided to at least one undergraduate student per institution. The bill also mandates the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to establish a work group of participating institutions to discuss program administration and best practices, and to create a single online portal detailing each institution's program, criteria, and investments, as well as application information and historical context.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Education, Health and Social Services
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Assigned Education sub: Higher Education (on 02/23/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB404 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB404) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1127549.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB404/text/HB404H1 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB404/text/HB404HC2 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB404/text/HB404HC1 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB404/text/HB404 |
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