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Financial Aid

For detailed information, and for the application process, please visit the financial aid website at www.finaid.vt.edu.

Virginia Tech awards financial aid to eligible students in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and employment (federal work-study). The majority of financial aid is intended for full-time students with financial need.

To apply; entering freshmen, transfer students, and returning Virginia Tech students should submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) electronically at www.fafsa.gov. Deadlines may be found on Virginia Tech's University Scholarships and Financial Aid website. Grant funds are limited so students should apply by the priority deadline to be considered for the most aid.

The priority deadline applies to all financial aid programs except the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Direct Student, Federal Direct Grad PLUS and Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan Programs.

Virginia Tech's institutional school code number 003754, must be listed on the FAFSA for the FAFSA report to be sent to Virginia Tech. Students must complete and submit a new FAFSA each year.

The electronic FAFSA application will be available in December. All offers of financial aid are contingent upon receipt of anticipated federal and state funds by the university. Awards may be reduced or canceled if anticipated funds are not received. Offers of financial aid are subject to full-time enrollment and the student meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy requirements.

To be eligible to receive aid from institutional, state, and federal programs, an applicant must meet the following eligibility requirements: enroll or accepted for enrollment as a degree-seeking student; be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen; submit a complete FAFSA; and meet the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy. Full-time enrollment is required for the majority of federal, state, and institutional programs. Students should consult with a financial aid advisor to determine how financial aid will be impacted for less than full time enrollment.

The FAFSA is the application used for all federal financial aid programs.

Federal Work-Study Program. This federal program provides employment opportunities to students with demonstrated financial need. Eligible undergraduate and graduate students are limited to 20 hours of work per week while classes are in session. All Federal Work-Study Program jobs pay at least minimum wage. Federal Work-Study jobs are listed on the Hokies4Hire website.

Federal Direct Loan Programs. This federal program encompasses Federal Student, Graduate PLUS, and Parent PLUS Loans.

  • Federal Student Loans are long-term; low-interest loans guaranteed by the federal government for the educational expenses of eligible students enrolled at least half-time. Repayment begins six months after the student ceases at least half-time enrollment.
  • Federal Parent PLUS Loans are available to parents of undergraduate dependent students enrolled at least half-time. Parents may borrow up to the cost of attendance minus any financial aid for which the student qualifies. The parent must apply at www.studentloans.gov and an approved credit check is required.
  • Federal Graduate PLUS Loans provide additional loan funds to graduate students that have exhausted eligibility in the Federal Student Loan Program. The student must apply at www.studentloans.gov and an approved credit check is required.

Federal Perkins Loans. This federal program provides long-term, low-interest loans to students with financial need. The interest rate is a fixed 5 percent. Repayment of both principal and interest begins 9 months after a student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time.

Federal Pell Grant Program. Federal Pell Grants are awarded to undergraduate students with high financial need. This program is intended to provide grant support to lower income families. Students must be pursuing a first bachelor's degree to receive the Federal Pell Grant.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. Virginia Tech awards this federal grant to undergraduate students with extraordinary financial need. These funds are restricted to Pell-eligible students.

Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program. Grants of up to the cost of tuition and fees are awarded by Virginia Tech from funds administered by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Awards are made to eligible undergraduate residents of Virginia with demonstrated financial need. The list of requirements for this grant are listed on our website.

Commonwealth Award. Awards are made by Virginia Tech from funds administered by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to Virginia residents seeking a first bachelor's degree with demonstrated financial need. The list of requirements for this grant are listed on our website.

Two-Year College Transfer Grant. The Two-Year College Transfer Grant is administered by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. These grants are for undergraduate state residents who transfer from a community college with a 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) after completing an Associate's Degree at a Virginia two-year public institution. Recipients must maintain a 3.0 GPA.

The Virginia Military Survivors and Dependent Education Program. The Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program provides tuition and fee educational assistance for a maximum of 48 months to spouses and children of military service members killed, missing in action, taken prisoner, or who became at least 90 percent disabled as a result of military service in an armed conflict. This program was formerly named the Virginia War Orphans Education Program. To be eligible for assistance, application is made to the Virginia Department of Veterans Services.

Academic Scholarships and Grants. Merit based scholarships are for select undergraduate students who establish outstanding academic record, including incoming freshmen through the academic department. Please refer to the scholarship section of our website for additional information. USFA offers the General Scholarship application through the electronic Scholarship Gateway at www.finaid.vt.edu. This application is available mid-November and the deadline is February 15th.

Athletic Scholarships. Admission and enrollment of students who are candidates for financial aid for which athletic ability is a consideration shall be conditional upon compliance with applicable regulations of the Atlantic Coast Conference and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Veterans Affairs Educational Benefits (GI Bill). Applicants who wish to receive VA Educational Benefits, including assistance through the Yellow Ribbon Program should contact the Office of Veterans Services or visit www.veterans.vt.edu. Application information for veterans' benefits may be obtained from the nearest regional office of the Veterans' Administration. Students must enroll for a minimum of 12 credits each term to receive benefits as full-time students.

Additional information on financial aid and scholarships may be obtained by contacting:

The Office of University Scholarships and Financial Aid
Student Services Building, Suite 200
Virginia Tech
800 Washington Street SW
Blacksburg, VA 24061
Phone: 540/231-5179
Fax: 540/ 231-9139
E-mail: finaid@vt.edu
Website: http://www.finaid.vt.edu

Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter. All information is correct at the time of publication. Current information is available from the University Scholarships and Financial Aid website.