Bob Spieldenner
bobspieldenner@schev.edu
(804) 718-9443 (cell)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2025

RICHMOND – The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) awarded $250,000 in grants to two institutions of higher education to help transform on-campus federal work-study jobs to function more like internships. SCHEV awarded the grants as part of the Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (V-TOP).

Piedmont Virginia Community College and the University of Virginia each received grants, whose purpose is to expand paid and credit-bearing student internships and other work-based learning opportunities.

Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) will receive a two-year grant for $50,000 to fund a part-time work study coordinator to move the college from the planning stage and begin piloting transformed federal work-study positions. In addition, the position will provide career-readiness training.

The University of Virginia (UVA) will receive a three-year grant for $200,000 to expand its existing federal work-study transformation efforts campus wide. In addition, the university will improve access to high-quality, structured work-based learning opportunities on campus and in the local community.

“For decades, federal work study programs have been part of the financial support framework for students,” said Scott Fleming, SCHEV director. “These grants will help ensure federal work study programs adapt to current realities and help students enter the workforce better prepared for success.”

This is the fourth round of the Transforming Federal Work-Study grant awards. The call for proposals for the fifth round will open on June 16, 2025.

V-TOP is administered by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia in partnership with the Virginia Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Virginia Business Higher Education Council. It is funded by the General Assembly’s Commonwealth Innovative Internship Fund and Program.