Why does Virginia Western Community College need private support?
Many people have the misconception that community colleges are completely funded by the state. Virginia Western is a state-assisted, not state-supported institution. In fact, Virginia ranks in the bottom thirteen of state support to higher education*. The state currently provides just 58% of Virginia Western’s support; most of the remaining funding comes from student tuition revenue. As a result of Virginia’s budget crisis, Virginia Western’s funding from the state was cut 5% in 2007 – 2008 and 2008-2009, thus increasing the financial burden on students who often can least afford a college education. The College stands to lose an additional 5% during each year of the next biennium. The total cut in state appropriations during this three-year period could reach approximately $2,400,000 by the end of 2009/2010.
