Federal Financial Aid
Do you dream of continuing your education after high school but worry about the costs? The U.S. government can help! Every year, they provide over $112 billion to help students just like you. This help can come in the form of grants (money you don't need to pay back), work-study programs (jobs to earn money for school) and loans.
Level up your opportunities by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The earlier you apply, the better your chances are to get the most aid you qualify for.
Information on applying for federal financial aid, student loans, eligibility requirements and more can be found on the Federal Student Aid website.
Key Points
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What is FAFSA? It's a form that connects you to financial help for college.
- When can you apply? Starting October 1 of each year. But in 2024, the FAFSA form will be available in December.
- Where can you find the FAFSA form? The FAFSA website includes the FAFSA application.
Questions?
Every college has a financial aid office ready to help. They can answer questions about whether you're eligible for financial aid, how to apply and what kind of aid you might receive.
State Financial Aid
State aid is financial assistance that each state offers to eligible residents to help reduce their educational costs. Each state, including Virginia, has its own ways to help students. In Virginia, this help can come in the form of grants, scholarships and other special programs. Check out Virginia’s Primary State Financial Aid Programs:
- Virginia Commonwealth Award: The Virginia Commonwealth Award provides financial assistance to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need. Just complete the FAFSA to see if you qualify.
- Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP): VGAP provides financial support to low- and middle-income students who attend participating public or private colleges and universities in Virginia. Eligible students can receive funding to cover tuition, fees and other educational expenses.
- Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant Program (VTAG): VTAG is available to undergraduate students attending private, nonprofit colleges and universities in Virginia. This grant can help reduce your tuition bills.
- Two-Year College Transfer Grant: This program assists students who have completed an associate degree at a Virginia community college and are transferring to a four-year college or university. The grant offers financial support to ease the transition and make a bachelor’s degree more affordable.
- Workforce Credential Grant (or WCG also known as Fast Forward): The WCG provides significant financial assistance to Virginians seeking to earn credentials in high-demand fields. Through the Virginia’s Community Colleges Fast Forward program, eligible students can earn a credential in a high-demand job field. The grant covers two-thirds of the cost of tuition for approved credentials.
- G3 - Get Skilled, Get a Job, Give Back Program: The G3 Program, which stands for “Get Skilled, Get a Job, Give Back,” is a partnership between the Commonwealth of Virginia and participating community colleges. It offers tuition assistance and support services to low- and middle-income students pursuing programs in high-demand fields. G3 provides financial aid, including tuition, fees and book stipends, to help eligible students cover the cost of education and training.
The full list of financial aid programs is also available on the SCHEV Website.
Application Process
Most state programs do not have a separate application but require that students submit a FAFSA or Virginia Alternate State Aid (VASA) application to their preferred college or university. The deadline to complete the application varies by institution, so verify when you are required to submit it.
Tell me more about FAFSA
Tell me more about the VASA Application