IMPORTANT – VMSDEP students intending to use these benefits at the College must update their enrollment through the VMSDEP Portal by the Close date posted by DVS for each respective term. The College does not apply VMSDEP waivers retroactively. Please Note: Eligible waivers are applied to current and/or future terms as determined by DVS.
Click the below menus to view the types of financial aid related to that category.
Federal Student Aid Programs
State Financial Aid Programs
- State Financial Aid Programs
- A comprehensive resource aimed at enhancing post-secondary education access and readiness for students in the Commonwealth.
- Commonwealth Grant(COMA)
- Part-time Tuition Assistance Program (PTAP)
- Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA)
- Virginia Foster Care Tuition Grant
- Virginia Community College System(VCCS) Grant
- Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP)
- Get Skilled, Get a Job, Get Ahead (G3)
- G3 tuition assistance is a training and education program that prepares students for high-demand careers in Virginia. This is a “last dollar” program that covers any remaining tuition and fees after other grants are used. G3 is available for select programs in five of Virginia’s most in-demand industries, including Early Childhood Education, Healthcare, Information Technology, Public Safety, and Skilled Trades (construction and manufacturing).
- FastForward Credential Grant Funding – Eligible Virginia Residents Pay 1/3 of Tuition with Grant Funding – Save 66% or More with FastForward Credential Programs
- FastForward Credentials Grant with FANTIC – Eligible Virginia residents may have 100% tuition covered with grant funding and financial assistance on FastForward Credential Programs.
Davenport Institute Grant
Apply Here!
The Davenport Institute Grant offers an opportunity for aspiring educators specializing in early childhood education to pursue certificates and degrees at minimal or no expense.
This program covers tuition fees and educational materials for individuals currently in or starting early childhood education program at Laurel Ridge Community College. Funding is allocated once participants have applied for federal financial aid and other relevant scholarships.
Eligible students will receive $250 per month, with a maximum of $1,500 per school year.
Eligible students must:
- Remain continuously enrolled in at least 6 credits of Early Childhood courses per semester
- Maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher
- Be G3 eligible (determined by the Financial Aid Office)
- Agree to monthly eligibility checks will be conducted during 6 months of incentives
- Agree to have $250/mo direct deposited into their bank account for 6 months ($1500 total).
- Students will provide banking information and complete required tax forms for the VCCS.
Please Note: Students opting to take a semester off(including summer) must reapply, a spot in the cohort is not guaranteed.
Merit-Based Programs
Military / Veteran Programs
Veterans Educational Benefits
Military Survivor & Dependents Program(VMSDEP) –
For questions related to the overall program, please review this document from the Department of Veteran: VMSDEP FAQs
Timeline for waiver and stipend funding each semester:
- After the last day to drop for refund has passed for the longest session(14wk for Fall & Spring, 10wk for Summer), the Financial Aid Office will verify enrollment and put in the stipend requests for eligible students in the VMSDEP Portal. See Academic Calendar here.
- Stipend amount is based on enrolled credit hours. The amount is not guaranteed and depends on funding from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).
- Once enrollment is verified, the eligible students will be shared with the Business Office so the tuition waivers can be applied.
- SCHEV manages the stipend portion of the program, and authorizes funding disbursement to the schools. The schools then apply the funds to eligible students’ accounts.
- As Laurel Ridge does not manage the funds, we cannot provide an exact date funds will be applied.
To check the status, you may contact Financial Aid at [email protected].