VA Students Receive Financial Help Towards College Costs
Virginia students are well catered for when assistance for paying for school and college is needed. School and college grants are available to Virginia students studying at undergraduate and graduate degree levels in accredited state-based education institutions. Help is available to students at almost all degree and certification levels and below is a list of the most common and accessible grant programs for students wishing to study at in-state and out-of-state colleges.
Merit Based Grants for Virginia Undergraduates
The Virginia state government provide a rich source of free grant money to support state students entering undergraduate course of study. One of the most notable state-based college grant programs is the Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP) because it provides merit-based grants worth up to $5,000 per academic year for degree seeking undergraduates enrolled in full-time courses of study.
Applicants must have a cumulative high school GPA of 2.5 and be classified as dependant students for federal financial aid purposes. Students can apply for the VGAP by filing a FAFSA application and having the results sent to the Virginia Commonwealth University’s Office of Financial Aid. In order to have the Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program renewed annually, students must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or more and be making satisfactory progress towards the completion of their degree.
Need-based Financial Aid for Undergrad and Graduate Students
Virginia undergraduate students who have a need for financial assistance may apply for the Virginia Commonwealth Award. This grant program supports financially needy Virginia school and college students attending state-supported education institutions, to help towards paying college costs. All state resident students can apply, and many grants are provided to minority students including Hispanic, African American, women and even single moms and older students. For WV undergraduate students, the grant program is provided on a need-based basis and due to the laws; undergrads with the most need for assistance receive larger grant awards.
Graduate students can apply for the Virginia Commonwealth Award for assistantship grants. To be eligible for the award, students must be legal residents of Virginia. Undergraduates must also be enrolling or already attending a Virginia school or college where as graduate students can receive grant awards if on enrolled in both out-of-state and in-state education institutions. To apply for the Virginia Commonwealth Award, applicants can obtain application form the school or college financial aid department that they plan to attend.
Free Money for Health Related Studies
State residents of Virginia can receive non-need-based grants for undergraduate and graduate studies at a private, non-profit school, college or university situated in the state. Up to $3,000 is available through the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant Program (VTAG) providing students are enrolled in a professional health related field of study at a recognized private education facility.
The amount of awards issued is based on the number of eligible students and the amount of funds available. Recipients will have their college grants renewed automatically providing they continue to meet the eligibility requirements. To apply for the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant Program you must obtain an application form from the financial aid office of the private college or university you wish to attend as there is no need to complete the FAFSA application to be eligible.