Va higher-ed wants more student aid

RICHMOND, Va. - Virginia's higher-education agency plans to ask the General Assembly to appropriate nearly $59 million more for college financial aid over the next two years.

The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia on Tuesday adopted a resolution to seek a $19.9 million budget increase in financial aid for in-state undergraduate students for the 2011 fiscal year and an additional $38.8 million for the 2012 fiscal year to offset budget reductions that have resulted in higher tuition.

The General Assembly this year increased financial aid by $10 million, bringing such funding to about $128 million annually.