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SB 196

Brown v. Board of Education Scholarship Program; permissible use of scholarship funds.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Angelia Graves

Virginia bill expands Brown v. Board of Education Scholarship Program's permitted uses, potentially enabling students to cover broader education-related expenses beyond current restrictions.

Approved by Governor-Chapter 940 (effective 7/1/2026)
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Bill Summary · SB 196

Legislative bill overview

SB 196 expands the permissible uses of funds from Virginia's Brown v. Board of Education Scholarship Program, which provides educational scholarships to students. The bill modifies existing restrictions on how scholarship recipients can allocate these funds, likely broadening eligible expenses beyond current narrowly-defined categories.

Why is this important

Scholarship program flexibility directly affects student access to educational resources and affordability. Expanding permissible uses could help more students complete their education by covering living expenses, technology, or other education-related costs that current restrictions prohibit, potentially increasing program effectiveness and completion rates.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact unclear: The summary does not specify funding amounts or whether expanded uses require additional appropriations or simply redirect existing funds
  • Definition ambiguity: Without seeing the bill text, it's unclear what new uses are permitted and whether criteria sufficiently protect funds from misuse
  • Program purpose alignment: Questions about whether new permitted uses align with the historic Brown v. Board legacy and the program's original equity mission

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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