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_ 229 Item Details($) Appropriations($) ITEM 130. First Year Second Year First Year Second Year FY2025 FY2026 FY2025 FY2026 Fund Sources: General $196,428,512 $255,528,512 $197,928,512 $260,028,512 Special $5,010,000 $20,010,000 $5,010,000 Dedicated Special Revenue $250,000 $250,000 Authority: Title 23.1, Chapter 6, Code of Virginia, Regional Grants and Contracts: Discretionary Inclusion; Undergraduate and Graduate Assistance: Discretionary Inclusion A. Those private institutions which participate in the programs provided by the appropriations in this Item shall, upon request by the State Council of Higher Education, submit financial and other information which the Council deems appropriate. B. Out of the amounts for Scholarships the following sums shall be made available for: 1. Tuition Assistance Grant Program, $102,325,881 $104,125,881 the first year and $102,325,881$112,325,881 the second year from the general fund is designated for full- time undergraduate and graduate students. 2. a. Virginia Space Grant Consortium Scholarships, $795,000 the first year and $795,000 the second year from the general fund. b. Out of the amounts included in this item, $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the second year from the general fund shall be provided to the Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC) to provide scholarships for select high school students to participate in immersive ground and flight training through the solo experience as a step in addressing the critical pilot shortage. The VSGC shall work with Averett University and Liberty University to provide two sessions of its New Horizons solo academy giving 30 high school students the opportunity to accomplish their first solo flight. c. Out of the amounts included in this item, $220,375 the first year and $220,375 the second year from the general fund shall be provided to the Virginia Space Grant Consortium to provide scholarships for high school students to participate in the Virginia Earth System Science Scholars program. 3. Out of this appropriation, $20,000 the first year and $20,000 the second year from the general fund is designated to provide grants of up to $5,000 per year for Virginia students who attend schools and colleges of optometry. Each student receiving a grant shall agree to set up practice in the Commonwealth for a period of not less than two years upon completion of instruction. 4. No amount, or part of an amount, listed for any program specified under paragraph B shall be expended for any other program in this appropriation. C. Tuition Assistance Grant Program 1. Payments to students out of this appropriation shall not exceed $5,125 the first year and $5,250 the second year for qualified undergraduate students and $5,000 the first year and $5,000 the second year for qualified graduate and medical students attending not-for- profit, independent institutions in accordance with § 23.1-628 through § 23.1-635, Code of Virginia. However, for those undergraduate students pursuing a career in teaching, payments shall be increased by an additional $500 in their senior year. 2. The private institutions which participate in this program shall, during the spring semester previous to the commencement of a new academic year or as soon as a student is admitted for that year, whichever is later, notify their enrolled and newly admitted Virginia students about the availability of tuition assistance awards under the program. The information provided to students and their parents must include information about the eligibility requirements, the application procedures, and the fact that the amount of the award is an estimate and is not guaranteed. The number of students applying for participation and the funds appropriated for the program determine the amount of the award. Conditions for reduction of award amount and award eligibility are described in this Item and in the regulations issued by the State Council of Higher Education. The institutions shall certify to the council that such notification has been completed and shall indicate the method by which it was carried out. Upon consultation with and approval