G3 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the G3 Program?
The G3 Program is a tuition assistance program for any Virginia resident who qualifies for
in-state tuition and whose family income falls below an identified threshold. Eligible
students may enroll in designated programs leading to jobs in high-demand fields.
Who is eligible for the G3 Program?
Any Virginia resident who
- qualifies for in-state tuition,
-
has a total household income of less than or equal to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level
(roughly an income of $100,000 for a family of four),
- is enrolled for a minimum of six credit hours in a Virginia community college,
- is enrolled in a designated G3 program, and
- has applied for federal and/or state financial aid programs.
What are the designated programs?
The designated programs fall into five targeted career areas that are in high demand in
Virginia:
Health Care, Information Technology, Manufacturing and Skilled Trades, Early Childhood
Education, and Public Safety.
Each of Virginia’s 23 community colleges has a list of approved G3 programs in the five
targeted
career areas. The programs are designed to be “stackable,” meaning that each program starts
with skills training that leads to a certificate with immediate value in the labor market.
Because
the certificate is part of an associate degree, a working student can continue to “stack”
additional certificates on on the pathway to an associate degree.
How does tuition assistance work?
G3 Program funds make up the difference between what federal or state financial aid pays for
and the cost of tuition, fees, and books for the program. This means that an individual
enrolling
in a certificate or degree program must first complete the Free Application for Federal
Student
Aid (FAFSA) to be eligible for the program. An individual enrolling in a designated
short-term
credential program must provide documentation of household income or eligibility for federal
assistance programs.
Does a student have to enroll full-time?
The G3 Program will be available for full- and part-time students. A part-time student must
enroll in a minimum of 6 credit hours per semester or in an approved short-term program.
The G3 Program will provide additional financial assistance to students who qualify for full
Federal Pell Grants and enroll full-time (12 or more credit hours in fall and spring
semesters and
6 credit hours in summer). This additional assistance is intended to reduce the number of
part-time
hours a student has to work so that he or she can spend more time studying.
Is there a time limit for eligibility?
-
As long as a G3-eligible student continues in the same program pathway, he or she has up
to
three years to complete an associate degree.
-
A student who completes a certificate and stops out to work will still be eligible for
G3 if he or
she returns within one year. After returning, the student will have two years to
complete the
associate degree.
-
In order to remain eligible for the G3 Program, a student must:
- Demonstrate progress to complete an associate degree in three years.
- Maintain a 2.0 grade point average and make satisfactory academic progress.
Are the programs geared more towards two-year associate degrees or shorter-term workforce
programs?
Both. An important benefit of the G3 Program is that it recognizes the different pathways to
success depending on a person’s individual needs and circumstances. For some people, a
short-term
credential or certificate program is the best fit. Others may need a year-long program, and
for some a two-year associate degree may be the best fit. What is very important is that
each
shorter-term program is part of an associate degree pathway, so people can always come back
and build on skills and programs already attained.
How will the G3 Program benefit Virginia?
-
The G3 Program will provide financial incentives for eligible individuals who need to
upgrade
their skills or who lost jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic and prepare them for
high-demand,
high-value jobs.
-
According to data from the Virginia Community College System, completers of these
programs
gain 60% in wages on average and double the amount of state taxes they pay.
-
Employers will benefit from having a larger qualified talent pool to fill high-demand
jobs in the
Commonwealth.
How does someone apply for G3?
Information about how to apply is available at
NRCC's G3 Information Page.
