Virginia State University (VSU) has announced that 150 local high school students have been accepted at no cost as part of the new Virginia College Affordability Network.

The new  Virginia College Affordability Network or VCAN provides access for an estimated 300 students who live near the VSU campus. An additional 150 scholarships are still available for high school seniors who meet the criteria.

To qualify, students must be Pell Grant eligible, meet the admission requirements, and live within the 25-mile proximity of the VSU campus. VCAN provides qualified students who have limited financial resources the option to attend a four-year university directly out of high school.

“At Virginia State University, we continue to embrace our role as Virginia’s Opportunity University,” says VSU President, Makola M. Abdullah in a statement. “This initiative  aligns with our Strategic Plan as it allows us to directly impact students who dream of access to a quality four-year university, yet lack financial resources. We are excited to offer another 150 scholarships and are encouraging local students to apply as soon as possible.”

According to VSU, the VCAN initiative builds upon the mission of the National College Access Network; which is to build, strengthen, and empower communities committed to college access and success, especially for those who are underrepresented in postsecondary education.