HB 471

Public institutions of higher education; financial aid and assistance; transition and postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities; eligibility for state-supported financial aid programs. Extends eligibility for any state-supported financial aid program or other higher education program to any individual who (i) is enrolled in an eligible transition and postsecondary education program, defined by the bill as any program offered by a public institution of higher education in the Commonwealth to students with intellectual disabilities attending such institution that meets the criteria for and is federally designated as a comprehensive transition and postsecondary program; (ii) is a student with an intellectual disability, as defined by the bill; and (iii) meets the other eligibility requirements for such program, except for certain enumerated eligibility requirements from which the bill exempts such individuals or for which the bill directs the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to establish alternative, equivalent standards for students with intellectual disabilities.