In 2017, the Governor and the General Assembly included the following language in the Appropriation Act, Chapter 836:

Item 249.

F. The New College Institute and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia shall evaluate options for alternative pricing that result in lower charges for programs and courses offered to citizens of the region attending the New College Institute. The options shall not be limited to increased subsidy, financial aid or creating a new delivery model for citizens of the Commonwealth. The New College Institute and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia shall report their findings to the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees by December 1, 2017. ( https://budget.lis.virginia.gov/item/2017/1/HB1500/Chapter/1/249/)

Staff from the New College Institute (NCI) and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) evaluated a variety of options and offer below their findings, represented as 11 options grouped by the extent of financial investment necessary from the Commonwealth, institutions of higher education and/or other entities.