Sen. Creigh Deeds stopped in Charlottesville on Wednesday to discuss his plans to increase access to higher education with students and faculty at the University of Virginia. At the stop, Deeds outlined his plan to create 70,000 new degrees over the next 10 years.
At the core of that plan is the ‘Virginia Forward’ scholarship program which will give a 50 percent scholarship to any Virginia public college or university to Virginia high-school graduates with a “B” average. In exchange for the scholarship, the recipients will give back to the state by committing to do two years of public service after graduation.
“As your next governor, I want a Commonwealth where every student can receive the best possible education at a public school. To begin this work, we need to jump-start our economy and create jobs. If we invest in education, we can create better schools—which means smarter workers who can fill more high-wage, high-demand jobs all over the state. Better schools, better jobs,” Deeds said. “I can tell you unequivocally that I am standing here – running for governor – because of the great public schools here in Virginia and because of my college education.”
No Virginian should miss out on a college education because of the high cost, Deeds said Wednesday. As a father, Deeds understands the struggle families face to pay tuition. As a student, his mother sent him to college with nothing but four $20 bills in his pocket.
Deeds also spoke Wednesday about his plans to help college graduates pay off their loans. His education plan includes a program which will provide loan forgiveness for teachers willing to work in high-need areas or subjects. Teachers who commit to working in a high-need area or in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics field for three years will get one year of loan forgiveness. This not only helps graduates pay of their debt quickly, but it also provides quality teachers in struggling schools.
In addition to these important improvements in higher education, Deeds will also work to improve primary education in Virginia by raising high school graduation standards, improving teacher quality and making schools more efficient.
To read the full plan, visit www.deedsforvirginia.com/Issues/Education.
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Chris Graham
