Virginia State: Federal & State Financial Aid

Updated March 5, 2021

Your path to receiving Virginia state financial aid begins with submitting your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). Deadlines vary by program, so check with your individual institution for any additional requirements.

Federal Grants for Virginia Students

Virginia students are eligible for Federal grants with their FAFSA® application, which include the Pell Grant, awarding up to $5,920; the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), awarding up to $4,000 for demonstrated need; and the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH), awarding approximately $3,700. 

The state of Virginia has its own deadline for state aid.

Virginia
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To find out the state aid deadline contact your school’s financial aid office. Additional forms may be required.

Primary Virginia State Aid Programs

In addition to federal grants, Virginia students are eligible for a range of primary state financial aid programs, including:

• Virginia Commonwealth Award. This is a need-based grant for both in-state undergraduates and graduate students (in-state and out-of-state).
 
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• Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP). This program is designed to incentivize underprivileged students to consider and strive for higher education. VGAP is ideal for students with lower GPAs at the high school and collegiate level, provided students continue to enroll in advanced level courses, demonstrate a continual need for financial assistance, and maintain full-time college enrollment.
 
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• Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant Program (VTAG). This grant helps Virginia state residents attend accredited private, nonprofit colleges and universities in Virginia, provided studies are not for religious training. A separate VTAG application is required to be submitted before the fall semester, on or before July 31. The maximum award for undergraduates was $3,300 (2017-2018) and $1,650 for graduate students.
 
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• Two-Year College Transfer Grant. This grant is available for students transferring from a two-year community college to an approved four-year institution within the Commonwealth of Virginia.
 
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• Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program. This program provides tuition-fee educational benefits to family members of military service members harmed or killed in the line of duty. The grant program also covers books, room, board, fees, and supplies, pending available funding.
 
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•  New Economy Workforce Credential Grant. This grant offers students essential certifications and training in high-demand fields for 1/3 the cost of enrollment. This grant applies only to Virginia community colleges and state training facilities.
 
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Career-Specific Aid Programs in Virginia

Whatever your interest, you’ll find specific scholarships and aid programs to help you pursue your education for less in Virginia. One such example is the Cybersecurity Public Service Scholarship, awarding up to $20,000 over two years to students who commit to work in Virginia cybersecurity defense. Eligible students must be currently enrolled at a Virginia institution with a 3.0 GPA or higher, and applicants must submit two additional Cybersecurity Public Service Scholarship documents.

Other career-specific training opportunities exist for childcare workers seeking to further their education, covering up to eight courses. STEM scientists, mature students, civil engineers, and nursing students can all discover specific scholarship programs in Virginia tailored to their course of study. There are also numerous programs available to minorities, women, and the disabled.

Federal grants, state aid programs, and niche scholarship programs make the Virginia Commonwealth an excellent place to pursue an affordable higher education.