Governor Northam’s G3 Initiative for Colleges

This year’s session of the Virginia General Assembly convened on January 8. For the first time in decades, our regional delegation will occupy many of the key leadership positions, including Speaker, House Majority Leader, and the chairmanships for both money committees.

The main focus of the session was to review and act on Governor Northam’s proposed biennial budget. The priority item for the VCCS and NOVA will be to help pass the Governor’s G3 initiative. The three “Gs” are for: Get Skilled; Get a Job, and Give Back. “Give Back” is a requirement to enter into some form of community service.

The governor initially proposed this initiative while running for office in 2017. This version of “free” higher education is a last-dollar program with state funds to be used to bridge the difference between what financial aid pays and the cost of the program. With a currently proposed family income cap of $100K, it would make funding available for “middle income” residents as well as for those with low income. Details are still a work in process, but for NOVA, the primary area of focus will likely be on AAS programs in IT and healthcare. The governor intends to center his initiative in the areas that can most quickly lead to gainful employment. Some transfer programs may be eligible.