University of the Virgin Islands Becomes First Four-Year HBCU to Offer Free Tuition

St. Thomas, VI — Through the Virgin Islands Higher Education Scholarship Program, or VIHESP, the University of the Virgin Islands has recently become the first HBCU (Historically Black College/ University) to offer free tuition to students. It is also one of the few four-year colleges and universities in the United States to do so.

Anyone who is a resident of the Virgin Islands and has graduated from a private, public, or parochial high school can apply to UVI for free tuition regardless of their age, date of graduation, and household income.

However, there are some requirements such as having to maintain at least a 2.5 GPA and to complete a work service requirement ranging from two months to three years within seven years of graduation.

Applications for the VIHESP, together with their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), must be submitted before the March 1st deadline to be able to qualify.

University of the Virgin Islands President Dr. David Hall emphasized the importance of higher education. He said in a statement, “A college degree is no longer a luxury that the rich and the academically and athletically gifted individuals can obtain.”

“Higher education is a basic necessity and must be provided in the same way we provide other basic necessities,” he continued.

For more details about the University of the Virgin Islands or their free tuition program, visit www.uvi.edu