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Types of Aid AvailableFederal PELLThe Pell Grant is a federal grant entitlement program, which means that the federal government will pay all applicants who meet all program eligibility criteria. In some cases, an eligible student may receive a Pell Grant if enrolled for less than 6 credits. Academic Competitiveness GrantBeginning in 2006-07, qualifying students who have completed a rigorous secondary school program and are eligible for federal Pell grants may be eligible to receive additional funds from the Academic Competitiveness Grant Program. Eligible recipients may receive up to $750 for the first year of study and up to $1,300 for the second academic year of study. Criteria for the ACG Grant
If you meet all of the criteria listed above then request an OFFICIAL copy of your high school transcript. It must be mailed to the Financial Aid Office at the following address: Financial Aid Office Federal SEOGThe Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) is a federal grant program that is awarded to the "most needy" students. Preference is given to Pell Grant recipients and students with a low family contribution. There are limited SEOG funds and students should have met the March 15, priority application filing date to ensure consideration. The maximum SEOG will be $400 per award year. Student's must be enrolled for at least 6 credits hours a semester. Federal Work-Study ProgramThe Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) is an award from federal and state funds that allows a student to earn money to meet educational expenses. A student must have a financial need to be awarded work-study. A work-study award does not guarantee a job, as the placement of a student into a job will be based upon the available jobs and the student's qualifications to meet the requirements for these available jobs. Work-study employees are usually assigned an average of 15 hours of work per week, and determine with their supervisors a mutually agreeable work schedule. The current wage rate is $8.00 an hour for on-campus positions and $11.00 an hour for off-campus community service positions. New employees will have a work-study orientation session explaining the student's rights and responsibilities as well as payment procedures. All new work-study employees will need to complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form and provide their driver's license and social security card or other acceptable identification before they may begin working. Student's must be enrolled for at least 6 credits hours a semester. CSAPThe College Scholarship Assistance Program (CSAP) Grant is a state grant program. Preference is given to students with exceptional need. Recipients must be domiciled in Virginia. Student's must be enrolled for at least 6 credits hours a semester. COMA GrantThe Commonwealth Award (COMA) Grant is a state grant. These grants range from $200 to $2,400 a year and are dependent on the student's remaining need. Student's must be enrolled for at least 6 credits hours a semester. VGAP GrantThe VGAP Grant is state-funded program. In order to be considered a student must be: a first-time freshman, a dependent, a high school graduate with a high school GPA of at least a 2.5, a Virginia resident, and demonstrate financial need. Recipients must be enrolled as a full-time student to qualify. The VGAP Grant will range from $1,000 to $2,900 a year. Recipients must maintain a 2.0 GPA to remain eligible for their VGAP award each semester and must complete a minimum of 24 semester hours each academic year to remain eligible for consideration during the next academic year. PTAP GrantThe Part-time Tuition Assistance Program Grant is a state grant program. These grants are based on need and are awarded to eligible students who are enrolled for 1 to 6 credits a semester. These grant awards are for the tuition amount only. Stafford LoansAll Stafford Loans are either subsidized (the government pays the interest while you're in school) or unsubsidized (you pay all the interest, although you can have the payments deferred until after graduation). To receive a subsidized Stafford Loan, you must be able to demonstrate financial need. With the unsubsidized Stafford loan, you can defer the payments until after graduation by capitalizing the interest. This adds the interest payments to the loan balance, increasing the size and cost of the loan. All students, regardless of need, are eligible for the unsubsidized Stafford Loan. Stafford Loans allow dependent undergraduates to borrow up to $3,500 their freshman year, $4,500 their sophomore year. Independent students may request an additional unsubsidized loan up to $4,000 the first two years. Student's must be enrolled for at least 6 credit hours a semester. PLUS LoansParents of dependent students can take out loans to supplement their children's aid packages. The federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) enables parents to borrow money to cover any costs not already covered by the student's financial aid package, up to the full cost of attendance. Student's must be enrolled for at least 6 credits hours a semester. Contact Information:Office of Student Financial Aid & Scholarships |
