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) electronically at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The Office of University Scholarships and Financial Aid priority deadline is March 1 for the upcoming academic year.

The priority deadline applies to all aid programs except the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Stafford Loan Federal GradPLUSand Federal PLUS Loan Programs.


Applicants for scholarships and financial aid must list Virginia Tech's institutional code number, 003754 on the FAFSA for the analysis of the FAFSA to be sent to the university's Office of University Scholarships and Financial Aid. Elibible 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 the federal processing agency each year to be considered for aid at Virginia Tech.

The electronic FAFSA application is available each year after January 1. 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 student’s meeting the Reasonable Academic Progress Policy requirements.

Virginia Tech administers a comprehensive scholarship and financial aid program to support the financial need of students and parents. 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 reasonable academic progress as defined by the university policy for Title IV recipients. Full-time enrollment is required for the majority of federal, state, and institutional programs. Students should consult with a financial aid counselor to determine the effect of less than full time enrollment with financial aid programs.

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, Grad PLUS, and PLUS Loans. Federal Stafford Loans are long-term, low-interest loans guaranteed by the federal government for the educational expenses of eligible students enrolled at least half-time. Students apply for Subsidized Federal Stafford Loans (need-based) and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans (non-need-based) through the financial aid. Repayment begins six months after the student ceases at least half-time enrollment.. The Federal PLUS Loan is available to parents of undergraduate dependent students 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. Similarly, the Federal Grad PLUS provides additional loan funds to graduate students that have exhausted eligibility in the Federal Stafford Loan Program. Students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for these loan programs.

Federal Perkins Loans: This federal 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 when a student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time.

Federal Pell Grant Program: Federal Pell Grants are awarded from the federal government to undergraduate students with 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 grants from federal funds to undergraduate students with extraordinary financial need. These funds are restricted to Pell-eligible students.

Commonwealth of 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. Entering freshman must have a 2.5 high school grade point average and continuing students must have a 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 to Virginia residents, seeking a first bachelor’s degree as undergraduate students. Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA for renewal of this award in addition to demonstrated financial need.

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 credits 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 university-wide awards or for college or departmental awards, unless specifically requested. An electronic application is required for the General Scholarship Program and is available at 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 credits 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 University Scholarships and Financial Aid
200 Student Services Building
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 24061
540/231-5179
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.