{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/23.1-100.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/23.1-100.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/23.1-100.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/23.1-100.html"}],"law_id":355032,"edition_id":2,"section_id":355032,"structure_id":50785,"section_number":"23.1-100","catch_line":"Definitions","history":"2016, c. 588; 2024, cc. 647, 684.","full_text":"As used in this title, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\n\t\t“Associate-degree-granting” means that an associate degree is the most advanced degree that is granted.\n\n\t\t“Associate-degree-granting public institution of higher education” includes Richard Bland College and each comprehensive community college.\n\n\t\t“Baccalaureate” means that bachelor’s degrees or more advanced degrees, or both, are granted.\n\n\t\t“Baccalaureate public institution of higher education” includes Christopher Newport University, George Mason University, James Madison University, Longwood University, the University of Mary Washington, Norfolk State University, Old Dominion University, Radford University, the University of Virginia, the University of Virginia’s College at Wise as a division of the University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Military Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University, and The College of William and Mary in Virginia.\n\n\t\t“Chief executive officer” includes the Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System, the Chancellor of the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, the Superintendent of Virginia Military Institute, and the president of each other public institution of higher education.\n\n\t\t“Comprehensive community college” means an associate-degree-granting public institution of higher education governed by the State Board that offers instruction in one or more of the following fields:\n\n1\n\nFreshman and sophomore courses in arts and sciences acceptable for transfer to baccalaureate degree programs;\n\n2\n\nDiversified technical curricula, including programs leading to an associate degree;\n\n3\n\nCareer and technical education leading directly to employment;\n\n4\n\nCourses in general and continuing education for adults in the fields set out in subdivisions 1, 2, and 3; or\n\n5\n\nNoncredit training and retraining courses and programs of varying lengths to meet the needs of business and industry in the Commonwealth.\n\t\t\t“Council” means the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.\n\n\t\t\t“Dual enrollment” means the enrollment of a qualified high school student in a postsecondary course that is creditable toward high school completion and a career certificate or an associate or baccalaureate degree at a public institution of higher education. “Dual enrollment” does not include the enrollment of a qualified high school student in a postsecondary course that is not creditable toward high school completion.\n\n\t\t\t“Governing board” includes the State Board and the board of visitors of each baccalaureate public institution of higher education. “Governing board” does not include local community college boards.\n\n\t\t\t“Local community college board” means the board established to act in an advisory capacity to the State Board and perform such duties with respect to the operation of a single comprehensive community college as may be delegated to it by the State Board.\n\n\t\t\t“Nonprofit private institution of higher education” means any postsecondary school, as that term is defined in § 23.1-213, in the Commonwealth that is exempt from paying federal income taxes under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is certified by the Council to offer degrees or exempt from such certification pursuant to Article 3 (§ 23.1-213 et seq.) of Chapter 2.\n\n\t\t\t“Non-Virginia student” means any student who has not established domicile in the Commonwealth pursuant to § 23.1-502.\n\n\t\t\t“Private institution of higher education” includes each nonprofit private institution of higher education and proprietary private institution of higher education in the Commonwealth.\n\n\t\t\t“Proprietary private institution of higher education” means any postsecondary school, as that term is defined in § 23.1-213, in the Commonwealth that is privately owned, privately managed, and obligated to pay federal income taxes in the Commonwealth and is certified by the Council to offer degrees or exempt from such certification pursuant to Article 3 (§ 23.1-213 et seq.) of Chapter 2.\n\n\t\t\t“Public institution of higher education” includes the System as a whole and each associate-degree-granting and baccalaureate public institution of higher education in the Commonwealth.\n\n\t\t\t“State Board” means the State Board for Community Colleges.\n\n\t\t\t“System” means the Virginia Community College System.\n\n\t\t\t“Virginia student” means any student who has established domicile in the Commonwealth pursuant to § 23.1-502.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1321960,"text":"As used in this title, unless the context requires a different meaning:\t\t“Associate-degree-granting” means that an associate degree is the most advanced degree that is granted.\t\t“Associate-degree-granting public institution of higher education” includes Richard Bland College and each comprehensive community college.\t\t“Baccalaureate” means that bachelor’s degrees or more advanced degrees, or both, are granted.\t\t“Baccalaureate public institution of higher education” includes Christopher Newport University, George Mason University, James Madison University, Longwood University, the University of Mary Washington, Norfolk State University, Old Dominion University, Radford University, the University of Virginia, the University of Virginia’s College at Wise as a division of the University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Military Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University, and The College of William and Mary in Virginia.\t\t“Chief executive officer” includes the Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System, the Chancellor of the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, the Superintendent of Virginia Military Institute, and the president of each other public institution of higher education.\t\t“Comprehensive community college” means an associate-degree-granting public institution of higher education governed by the State Board that offers instruction in one or more of the following fields:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":1321961,"text":"Freshman and sophomore courses in arts and sciences acceptable for transfer to baccalaureate degree programs;","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":1321962,"text":"Diversified technical curricula, including programs leading to an associate degree;","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":1321963,"text":"Career and technical education leading directly to employment;","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":1321964,"text":"Courses in general and continuing education for adults in the fields set out in subdivisions 1, 2, and 3; or","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":1321965,"text":"Noncredit training and retraining courses and programs of varying lengths to meet the needs of business and industry in the Commonwealth.\n\t\t\t“Council” means the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.\t\t\t“Dual enrollment” means the enrollment of a qualified high school student in a postsecondary course that is creditable toward high school completion and a career certificate or an associate or baccalaureate degree at a public institution of higher education. “Dual enrollment” does not include the enrollment of a qualified high school student in a postsecondary course that is not creditable toward high school completion.\t\t\t“Governing board” includes the State Board and the board of visitors of each baccalaureate public institution of higher education. “Governing board” does not include local community college boards.\t\t\t“Local community college board” means the board established to act in an advisory capacity to the State Board and perform such duties with respect to the operation of a single comprehensive community college as may be delegated to it by the State Board.\t\t\t“Nonprofit private institution of higher education” means any postsecondary school, as that term is defined in § 23.1-213, in the Commonwealth that is exempt from paying federal income taxes under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is certified by the Council to offer degrees or exempt from such certification pursuant to Article 3 (§ 23.1-213 et seq.) of Chapter 2.\t\t\t“Non-Virginia student” means any student who has not established domicile in the Commonwealth pursuant to § 23.1-502.\t\t\t“Private institution of higher education” includes each nonprofit private institution of higher education and proprietary private institution of higher education in the Commonwealth.\t\t\t“Proprietary private institution of higher education” means any postsecondary school, as that term is defined in § 23.1-213, in the Commonwealth that is privately owned, privately managed, and obligated to pay federal income taxes in the Commonwealth and is certified by the Council to offer degrees or exempt from such certification pursuant to Article 3 (§ 23.1-213 et seq.) of Chapter 2.\t\t\t“Public institution of higher education” includes the System as a whole and each associate-degree-granting and baccalaureate public institution of higher education in the Commonwealth.\t\t\t“State Board” means the State Board for Community Colleges.\t\t\t“System” means the Virginia Community College System.\t\t\t“Virginia student” means any student who has established domicile in the Commonwealth pursuant to § 23.1-502.","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4"}},"ancestry":[{"id":50785,"edition_id":2,"name":"Definitions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":50784,"metadata":{"child_laws":1,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:33:18","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:31:13","permalink":{"id":1411589,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50785,"identifier":"1","token":"23.1\/I\/1\/1","url":"\/23.1\/I\/1\/1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50784,"edition_id":2,"name":"Definitions and General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":50783,"metadata":{"child_laws":12,"child_structures":2},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:33:18","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:31:13","permalink":{"id":1411587,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50784,"identifier":"1","token":"23.1\/I\/1","url":"\/23.1\/I\/1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50783,"edition_id":2,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"I","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":50782,"metadata":{"child_laws":61,"child_structures":9},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:33:18","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:31:13","permalink":{"id":1411585,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50783,"identifier":"I","token":"23.1\/I","url":"\/23.1\/I\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50782,"edition_id":2,"name":"Institutions of Higher Education; Other Educational and Cultural Institutions","identifier":"23.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":62,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":594,"child_structures":95},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:33:18","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:31:13","permalink":{"id":1411583,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50782,"identifier":"23.1","token":"23.1","url":"\/23.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":355032,"structure_id":50785,"section_number":"23.1-100","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/23.1-100\/","token":"23.1\/I\/1\/1\/23.1-100","metadata":false}],"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/23.1-100\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2016. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 588<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 2024, chapters 647<\/a> and 684<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":352806,"section_number":"2.2-2831","catch_line":"Payment of severance benefits; exceptions","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-2831\/"},{"id":353233,"section_number":"2.2-4376.2","catch_line":"(Effective until July 1, 2027) Disclosure of contributions and gifts during procurement process; civil penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-4376.2\/"},{"id":354391,"section_number":"22.1-206.2","catch_line":"Instruction concerning post-graduate opportunities for high school students","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-206.2\/"},{"id":354525,"section_number":"22.1-237.1","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-237.1\/"},{"id":355073,"section_number":"23.1-1100","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-1100\/"},{"id":355096,"section_number":"23.1-1200","catch_line":"Definitions; findings","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-1200\/"},{"id":355135,"section_number":"23.1-1239","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-1239\/"},{"id":355246,"section_number":"23.1-226","catch_line":"Exemptions","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-226\/"},{"id":355373,"section_number":"23.1-2904","catch_line":"State Board; duties","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-2904\/"},{"id":355562,"section_number":"23.1-700","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-700\/"},{"id":355602,"section_number":"23.1-819","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-819\/"},{"id":355808,"section_number":"24.2-416.3","catch_line":"Distribution of mail voter registration application forms","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-416.3\/"},{"id":358454,"section_number":"30-133.1","catch_line":"Additional certifications for public institutions of higher education","order_by":null,"url":"\/30-133.1\/"},{"id":371932,"section_number":"58.1-3660","catch_line":"Certified pollution control equipment and facilities","order_by":null,"url":"\/58.1-3660\/"},{"id":372369,"section_number":"58.1-439.25","catch_line":"(Applicable to taxable years beginning January 1, 2028) Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/58.1-439.25\/"},{"id":372379,"section_number":"58.1-439.6:1","catch_line":"Worker training tax credit","order_by":null,"url":"\/58.1-439.6_1\/"},{"id":373409,"section_number":"59.1-575","catch_line":"(Effective January 1, 2026) Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/59.1-575\/"},{"id":375102,"section_number":"62.1-44.19:3","catch_line":"Prohibition on land application, marketing, and distribution of sewage sludge without permit; ordinances; notice requirement; fees","order_by":null,"url":"\/62.1-44.19_3\/"},{"id":378704,"section_number":"9.1-400","catch_line":"Title of chapter; definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-400\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":355211,"section_number":"23.1-213","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-213\/"},{"id":355494,"section_number":"23.1-502","catch_line":"Eligibility for in-state tuition charges; domicile; domiciliary intent","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-502\/"}],"permalink":{"id":1411591,"object_type":"law","relational_id":355032,"identifier":"23.1-100","token":"23.1\/I\/1\/1\/23.1-100","url":"\/23.1-100\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/23.1-100\/","token":"23.1\/I\/1\/1\/23.1-100","dublin_core":{"Title":"Definitions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 23.1-100","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

As used in this title, unless the context requires a different meaning:

\t\t“Associate-degree-granting” means that an associate degree is the most advanced degree that is granted.

\t\t“Associate-degree-granting public institution of higher education<\/span><\/span>” includes Richard Bland College and each comprehensive community college<\/span>.

\t\t“Baccalaureate” means that bachelor’s degrees or more advanced degrees, or both, are granted.

\t\t“Baccalaureate public institution of higher education<\/span><\/span>” includes Christopher Newport University, George Mason University, James Madison University, Longwood University, the University of Mary Washington, Norfolk State University, Old Dominion University, Radford University, the University of Virginia, the University of Virginia’s College at Wise as a division of the University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Military Institute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University, and The College of William and Mary in Virginia.

\t\t“Chief executive officer<\/span>” includes the Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System<\/span>, the Chancellor of the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, the Superintendent of Virginia Military Institute, and the president of each other public institution of higher education<\/span>.

\t\t“Comprehensive community college<\/span>” means an associate-degree-granting public institution of higher education<\/span><\/span> governed by the State Board<\/span> that offers instruction in one or more of the following fields:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Freshman and sophomore courses in arts and sciences acceptable for transfer to baccalaureate degree programs; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Diversified technical curricula, including programs leading to an associate degree; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Career and technical education leading directly to employment; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Courses in general and continuing education for adults in the fields set out in subdivisions 1, 2, and 3; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Noncredit training and retraining courses and programs of varying lengths to meet the needs of business and industry in the Commonwealth.\n\t\t\t“Council<\/span>” means the State Council<\/span> of Higher Education for Virginia.

\t\t\t“Dual enrollment<\/span>” means the enrollment of a qualified high school student in a postsecondary course that is creditable toward high school completion and a career certificate or an associate or baccalaureate degree at a public institution of higher education<\/span>. “Dual enrollment<\/span>” does not include the enrollment of a qualified high school student in a postsecondary course that is not creditable toward high school completion.

\t\t\t“Governing board<\/span>” includes the State Board<\/span> and the board of visitors of each baccalaureate public institution of higher education<\/span><\/span>. “Governing board<\/span>” does not include local community college boards<\/span>.

\t\t\t“Local community college board<\/span>” means the board established to act in an advisory capacity to the State Board<\/span> and perform such duties with respect to the operation of a single comprehensive community college<\/span> as may be delegated to it by the State Board<\/span>.

\t\t\t“Nonprofit private institution of higher education<\/span><\/span>” means any postsecondary school, as that term is defined in § 23.1-213<\/a>, in the Commonwealth that is exempt from paying federal income taxes under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is certified by the Council<\/span> to offer degrees or exempt from such certification pursuant to Article 3 (§ 23.1-213<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 2.

\t\t\t“Non-Virginia student<\/span><\/span>” means any student who has not established domicile in the Commonwealth pursuant to § 23.1-502<\/a>.

\t\t\t“Private institution of higher education<\/span>” includes each nonprofit private institution of higher education<\/span><\/span> and proprietary private institution of higher education<\/span><\/span> in the Commonwealth.

\t\t\t“Proprietary private institution of higher education<\/span><\/span>” means any postsecondary school, as that term is defined in § 23.1-213<\/a>, in the Commonwealth that is privately owned, privately managed, and obligated to pay federal income taxes in the Commonwealth and is certified by the Council<\/span> to offer degrees or exempt from such certification pursuant to Article 3 (§ 23.1-213<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 2.

\t\t\t“Public institution of higher education<\/span>” includes the System<\/span> as a whole and each associate-degree-granting and baccalaureate public institution of higher education<\/span><\/span> in the Commonwealth.

\t\t\t“State Board<\/span>” means the State Board<\/span> for Community Colleges.

\t\t\t“System<\/span>” means the Virginia Community College System<\/span>.

\t\t\t“Virginia student<\/span>” means any student who has established domicile in the Commonwealth pursuant to § 23.1-502<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDEFINITIONS (\u00a7 23.1-100)\n\nAs used in this title, unless the context requires a different\nmeaning:\t\t“Associate-degree-granting” means that an associate degree\nis the most advanced degree that is granted.\t\t“Associate-degree-granting\npublic institution of higher education” includes Richard Bland College and\neach comprehensive community college.\t\t“Baccalaureate” means that\nbachelor’s degrees or more advanced degrees, or both, are\ngranted.\t\t“Baccalaureate public institution of higher education”\nincludes Christopher Newport University, George Mason University, James Madison\nUniversity, Longwood University, the University of Mary Washington, Norfolk\nState University, Old Dominion University, Radford University, the University of\nVirginia, the University of Virginia’s College at Wise as a division of\nthe University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Military\nInstitute, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State\nUniversity, and The College of William and Mary in Virginia.\t\t“Chief\nexecutive officer” includes the Chancellor of the Virginia Community\nCollege System, the Chancellor of the University of Virginia’s College at\nWise, the Superintendent of Virginia Military Institute, and the president of\neach other public institution of higher education.\t\t“Comprehensive\ncommunity college” means an associate-degree-granting public institution\nof higher education governed by the State Board that offers instruction in one\nor more of the following fields:\n\n1. Freshman and sophomore courses in arts and sciences acceptable for transfer\nto baccalaureate degree programs;\n\n2. Diversified technical curricula, including programs leading to an associate\ndegree;\n\n3. Career and technical education leading directly to employment;\n\n4. Courses in general and continuing education for adults in the fields set out\nin subdivisions 1, 2, and 3; or\n\n5. Noncredit training and retraining courses and programs of varying lengths to\nmeet the needs of business and industry in the Commonwealth.\n\t\t\t“Council” means the State Council of Higher Education for\nVirginia.\t\t\t“Dual enrollment” means the enrollment of a qualified\nhigh school student in a postsecondary course that is creditable toward high\nschool completion and a career certificate or an associate or baccalaureate\ndegree at a public institution of higher education. “Dual\nenrollment” does not include the enrollment of a qualified high school\nstudent in a postsecondary course that is not creditable toward high school\ncompletion.\t\t\t“Governing board” includes the State Board and the\nboard of visitors of each baccalaureate public institution of higher education.\n“Governing board” does not include local community college\nboards.\t\t\t“Local community college board” means the board\nestablished to act in an advisory capacity to the State Board and perform such\nduties with respect to the operation of a single comprehensive community college\nas may be delegated to it by the State Board.\t\t\t“Nonprofit private\ninstitution of higher education” means any postsecondary school, as that\nterm is defined in § 23.1-213, in the Commonwealth that is exempt from\npaying federal income taxes under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code\nand is certified by the Council to offer degrees or exempt from such\ncertification pursuant to Article 3 (§ 23.1-213 et seq.) of Chapter\n2.\t\t\t“Non-Virginia student” means any student who has not\nestablished domicile in the Commonwealth pursuant to §\n23.1-502.\t\t\t“Private institution of higher education” includes each\nnonprofit private institution of higher education and proprietary private\ninstitution of higher education in the Commonwealth.\t\t\t“Proprietary\nprivate institution of higher education” means any postsecondary school,\nas that term is defined in § 23.1-213, in the Commonwealth that is\nprivately owned, privately managed, and obligated to pay federal income taxes in\nthe Commonwealth and is certified by the Council to offer degrees or exempt from\nsuch certification pursuant to Article 3 (§ 23.1-213 et seq.) of Chapter\n2.\t\t\t“Public institution of higher education” includes the System as\na whole and each associate-degree-granting and baccalaureate public institution\nof higher education in the Commonwealth.\t\t\t“State Board” means the\nState Board for Community Colleges.\t\t\t“System” means the Virginia\nCommunity College System.\t\t\t“Virginia student” means any student who\nhas established domicile in the Commonwealth pursuant to § 23.1-502.\n\nHISTORY: 2016, c. 588; 2024, cc. 647, 684.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}