The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) is Virginia’s statewide coordinating body for higher education. Established by the General Assembly in 1956, SCHEV develops and advocates higher education policy, conducts statewide planning and research, administers certain student financial aid programs, collects and publishes higher education data, and authorizes/certifies private and out‑of‑state postsecondary institutions to operate in the Commonwealth.
Higher education funding and budget recommendations, student financial aid and affordability, degree program approval and academic policy, transfer and articulation, institutional accountability and performance review, authorization of private/out‑of‑state institutions, statewide strategic planning and workforce alignment, higher education data collection and reporting.
Primarily funded by state general fund appropriations, supplemented by federal grants, program fees, and contracts for services.
Virginia public colleges and universities (e.g., University of Virginia, Virginia Tech), the Virginia Community College System, independent Virginia colleges, the Governor and General Assembly, and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (ex officio Council member).
State government agency (higher education coordinating board)
