Virginia State University News February 16, 2021 VSU to Offer Free Tuition for Qualified Area Students New Initiative Could Be a First in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Today, Virginia State University (VSU) unveiled an initiative that provides access for an estimated 300 students who live near the VSU campus to attend the University at no cost for tuition. The initiative is part of The Virginia College Affordability Network (VCAN) which seeks to address the regional needs relating to access and completion. VSU is leading the VCAN initiative and will provide access for an estimated 300 Pell eligible students annually who live within the proximity of the campus (Chesterfield County, Colonial Heights, Dinwiddie County, Henrico County, Hopewell City, Petersburg City, Prince George County and Richmond City) and desire access to a four year University that can provide a quality education and experience. Priority is placed on students from Matoaca, Petersburg, and Colonial Heights high schools. The initiative could mark the first time in Virginia that a four year university is granting real access by offering free tuition and some portion of room and board to eligible graduating high school seniors based on need and locality. "At Virginia State University, we continue to embrace our role as Virginia's Opportunity University," says VSU President, Makola M. Abdullah. "This initiative directly aligns with our Strategic Plan as it allows us to directly impact students who dream of access to a quality four-year university, yet lack financial resources to attend." To qualify, students must be Pell grant eligible, meet the University admission requirements, and live within a 25-mile radius of the University. This initiative provides qualified students, who have limited financial resources, the option to attend a four year university directly out of high school. The VSU VCAN<https://www.vsu.edu/prospective/how-to-apply.php> initiative builds upon the mission of the National College Access Network; which is to build, strengthen, and empower communities committed to college access and success, especially for those who are underrepresented in postsecondary education. To qualify/apply students must: * Be an admitted first-time freshman for fall 2021 * Have a completed FAFSA on file with VSU * Be a full-time Pell eligible student (based on FAFSA data) * Complete 30 or more credit hours per year and maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher * Complete the interest form (VCAN Interest Form )<https://vsu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_81RiLsKQudjUmma> How to Apply<https://www.vsu.edu/prospective/how-to-apply.php> Questions should be directed to the Office of Admissions by calling 804-524-5902. Sandra M. Phoenix HBCU Library Alliance Executive Director Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library 111 James P. Brawley Drive SW Atlanta GA 30314 404-978-2118 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) http://www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> Honor the ancestors, honor the children and those yet to come. Building Capacity for Humanities Special Collections at HBCUs - Become an ally and partner with us to protect, preserve and share a more authentic record of American history. Follow this link http://hbculibraries.org/humanities-2019.html for more information. Follow this link http://hbculibraries.org/ and click on the Donate Now button to invest in this project. Your support is appreciated. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/