LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. (Diya TV) — A proposal from Delegate JJ Singh to provide $55 million in tuition relief for students attending Virginia’s public colleges and universities has officially become law, marking a major legislative win for the first-term delegate and delivering meaningful financial aid to thousands of Virginia families.

The funding, included in the final state budget released last week, is aimed at reducing the financial burden of higher education and helping to curb rising student debt. It will be directed to public universities and community colleges across the Commonwealth, making college more affordable and accessible.

“This is about investing in our next generation and ensuring every Virginia student can achieve the American dream,” Singh said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter). He praised the bipartisan cooperation that helped push his proposal through both chambers of the legislature and into the budget signed by the governor.

Singh, who represents Southeastern Loudoun County, was sworn into office earlier this year after winning a high-profile special election. His proposal responds directly to growing concerns about the escalating cost of college in Virginia. According to Singh, the cost of attending the University of Virginia—including tuition, room, and board—has more than doubled since his own time as a student.

“When I went to the University of Virginia, tuition, room, and board cost just $15,000 per year; now it’s over $40,000,” he said. “The rise in tuition is an epidemic plaguing the entire Commonwealth, and the country, for that matter. Students and families can’t afford it. For any parents who can help, they have to choose whether to help their children or fund their retirement.”

Singh has made higher education affordability one of his key priorities since taking office. In addition to citing rising tuition costs, he has frequently pointed to the broader societal and economic consequences of student loan debt. His $55 million initiative is designed not only to provide immediate relief but to set a precedent for future investment in public education.

“As elected officials, we must invest in the future of our Commonwealth, and no investment is more important than the education of the next generation,” Singh said.

The tuition relief plan received wide support from both sides of the aisle. The funds will be distributed across the state’s network of public higher education institutions, including four-year universities and two-year community colleges.

Singh’s background has also drawn attention during his early tenure in office. The son of Indian immigrants, he is the first turbaned Sikh to serve in the U.S. Peace Corps and previously worked in the Obama administration’s Office of Management and Budget.