The dual enrollment tuition scholarship grant was first funded by the General Assembly in fiscal year 2020. However, due to language requiring applicants to be enrolled in an approved undergraduate or graduate teacher education program applicable to dual enrollment and industrial credential course curriculum available for public high school students, no scholarship awards were granted during that year. In FY 2021, an amendment to the appropriation language allowed school divisions to identify eligible candidates and apply for scholarships on their behalf. Since this revision, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has seen a steady increase in applications and has been awarded more funds each year. During fiscal year 2025, the appropriation language was amended again to include funding for teachers pursuing additional training or coursework to teach an industry credential in local school division. This amendment expanded opportunities for educators to support both dual enrollment programs as well as industry credentialing initiatives.

Over the last few years, the number of teachers awarded scholarships rose dramatically from 13 teachers in FY 2021 to 112 teachers in FY 2026. Each year, at least half of the dual enrollment areas being pursued are in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) area.