Bill > HJR27

This resolution directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC), a state agency that conducts studies for the legislature, to investigate and propose solutions to make higher education more affordable for students in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The study will examine the impact of reduced federal funding and loan limits on college costs, aiming to ensure the state covers at least 67 percent of educational expenses as per its policy, and will explore ways to reduce institutional costs by evaluating staffing, facilities, and athletic spending. Additionally, JLARC will consider reallocating funds for grants to low and middle-income students, potentially freezing tuition increases, improving transfer credit policies between community colleges and four-year institutions, and offering financial aid for housing and meals. The commission will also assess if the current per-student funding model is adequate, analyze how cuts to research funding affect student costs, and provide recommendations for legislative changes. Finally, JLARC is tasked with estimating the cost of providing free in-state tuition for all Virginia residents, starting with low-income students in 2036 and gradually expanding to all residents by 2046, with a report due by the 2027 legislative session.

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HJ27