Financial Information

Virginia Tech awards financial aid to qualified students in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and employment.

To apply, entering freshmen, transfer students and returning Virginia Tech students should submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to a federal processing agency by February 7, in time for the analysis to be returned to the university's Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid by March 1, preceding the fall term of enrollment.
These deadlines, for priority consideration, apply to all aid programs except the Pell Grant, Federal Stafford Student Loan, and PLUS Loan programs.

Applicants for financial aid or scholarships must list Virginia Tech's institutional code number, 003754, and/or the official name of the university (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, or VPI&SU) on the FAFSA in order to have the analysis of their FAFSA sent to the university's Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. Non-citizens must submit a copy of the alien registration card or arrival departure record each year. Students or parents must complete and submit a new FAFSA to a federal processing agency each year to be considered for aid at Virginia Tech.

FAFSA forms and information are available after January 1 from the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. These forms are also available in other college financial aid offices and in most high school guidance offices, or from www.finaid.vt.edu. 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 maintenance of satisfactory academic progress.

Virginia Tech administers a comprehensive financial aid program that totals $176 million for all students. More than 70 percent of Virginia Tech students receive some form of aid.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to receive aid from state and federal need-based programs, an applicant must meet the following eligibility requirements: meet university application requirements; be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a degree-seeking student; be a citizen or an eligible non-citizen; submit a completed FAFSA; and be making satisfactory academic progress as defined by the university policy for Title IV recipients. Full-time enrollment is required for Federal Work-Study, Perkins Loans, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, the College Scholarship Assistance Program, State Undergraduate Grants, Virginia Transfer Grants, and some other awards.

Federal Title IV 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 Virginia Tech is in session. All federal Work-Study Program jobs pay at least minimum wage.

William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program: This federal program encompasses Federal Stafford Loans and PLUS Loans. Federal Stafford Loans are long-term, low-interest loans authorized by the federal government for the educational expenses of eligible students enrolled at least half-time. Students apply for subsidized Federal Stafford Loans (which are need-based) and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans (which are not need-based) through the financial aid office instead of applying through a bank or other lending agency. Repayment normally begins six months after the student leaves Virginia Tech. A PLUS Loan is a Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students, for which a parent or legal guardian may borrow on behalf of each undergraduate dependent student who is enrolled at least half-time at an institution of higher education. Parents may borrow up to the Cost of Attendance minus any financial aid for which the student qualifies. At Virginia Tech, students (and/or parents) must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for these loan programs.

Federal Perkins Loans: This program provides long-term, low-interest loans from Virginia Tech to students with financial need. The interest rate to first-time borrowers is 5 percent. Repayment of both principal and interest begins after the student leaves Virginia Tech. Repayment is made to Virginia Tech, and once funds are repaid, they are used to make loans to other Virginia Tech students.

Federal Pell Grant Program: Pell Grants are awarded from federal funds to undergraduate students with financial need. Awards range from $400 to $3,300 for the full academic year.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant: Virginia Tech awards grants, ranging in value from $200 to $4,000 per academic year, from federal funds to undergraduate students with financial need. Full-time enrollment is required.

Virginia Programs

College Scholarship Assistance Program: This need-based grant program is administered by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and is funded jointly by both the federal government and state resources. Recipients are selected by Virginia Tech from among eligible undergraduate Virginia residents with high levels of demonstrated financial need.

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 selected undergraduate residents of Virginia with demonstrated financial need and who meet GPA criteria (2.5 as an entering freshman and 2.0 for renewal).

Commonwealth Award: Awards are made by Virginia Tech from funds administered by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia for this need-based award for in-state, first-degree undergraduate students. After 60 hours, students must have a 2.0 GPA to receive funding.

Virginia Transfer Grants: Virginia Transfer Grants vary in amount up to $1,000 and are administered by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia for undergraduate minority state residents who transfer from a community college with a 2.0 or better grade point average after completing a minimum of 45 term hours of transferable college-level work.

University Programs

Academic Scholarships and Grants:The university awards a number of merit scholarships to selected undergraduate students who have established outstanding academic records, including incoming freshmen. All of the colleges and many departments within the university also award scholarships. No application is necessary for universitywide awards or for college or departmental awards, unless specifically requested. A separate application is required for the General Scholarship Program available through the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid, which can be printed from www.finaid.vt.edu/.

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.

War Orphans' and Senior Citizens' Benefits:

Every consideration is given qualified applicants entitled to benefits authorized under the Veterans' Readjustment Act of 1966 and the War Orphans' Education Assistance Act. Applications and information on veterans' benefit programs may be obtained from the nearest regional office of the Veterans' Administration. Students must enroll for a minimum of 12 hours each term to receive benefits as full-time students.

Under the Virginia War Orphans' Education Act, a child, not under 16 and not over 25 years of age, of a deceased veteran or of a veteran with a total disability resulting from wartime service (subsequent to December 6, 1941) may receive free tuition while in attendance at a state-supported institution of higher education.

The parent(s) must have been a citizen of Virginia at the time of entering such armed service, or be or have been a citizen of Virginia for at least ten years immediately prior to the date on which the child's application for admission was submitted to a state-supported institution of higher education; or, if deceased, the parent(s) was a citizen of Virginia on the date of his or her death and had been a citizen of Virginia for at least ten years immediately prior to his or her death. The Director of the Division of War Veterans' Claims shall determine the eligibility of the child who makes application for such benefits, and will notify the state-supported institution of higher education of approved benefits under this Act.

On a space-available basis, in accordance with Virginia law, Virginia residents 60 years or older may register for and attend courses without payment of university fees. Senior citizens also may audit courses. Details may be obtained from the Undergraduate Admissions Office.

Veterans Affairs Educational Benefits (GI Bill): Applicants who wish to receive VA Educational Benefits should contact the Office of the University Registrar or visit www.registrar.vt.edu.

Additional Information

Additional information on financial aid and scholarships may be obtained by writing, calling, or visiting:

Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid
200 Student Services Building
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 24061
540/231-5179 or (800) 278-7392
Fax: 540/ 231-9139
E-mail: finaid@vt.edu

All information is correct at the time of publication. Current information is available from our website.