SCHEV provides information and oversight for Virginia's college grants and scholarships, but there is no state Virginia student loan.
Information about all state-based financial aid programs is below.
Virginia has need-based grants and scholarships, programs that have both a financial need and a merit component, some strictly merit-based aid, and special circumstance-based aid as well.
Virginia also belongs to the Academic Common Market, a consortium of southern states who have arranged for in-state tuition costs at out-of-state schools (in these states). These prices only apply to programs that are not offered in the resident state's public schools. SCHEV decides which programs are acceptable for inclusion.
As far as loans go, Educational Credit Management Corporation (ECMC) was the guarantor for Virginia's FFELP loans, but now all government loans are Direct student loans. No added benefits are provided by the state for these loans. They are available (as are Pell grants) through the FAFSA form. Check your Virginia FAFSA deadline.
If you still have a tuition gap after grants, scholarships and federal loans, you can compare lenders using the form at the top, right of this page. You may also want to consider credit union private loan lenders.
Eligible students are Virginia domiciled, enrolled at an approved 2 or 4 year school at least half-time and have an EFC that is less than half the cost of attendance.
Commonwealth Award Program
award amounts vary, determined by level of need, funding available- may not exceed total costs
application is through each college financial aid office
Eligible students are Virginia domiciled and enrolled at an approved 2 or 4 year school at least half-time. Students with the greatest need are selected first.
Foster Care Tuition Grant
award is tuition and fees at any Virginia community college
application is the FAFSA and documentation from the Department of Social Services to your college financial aid office.
Eligible students are Virginia domiciled, enrolled at an approved 2 year school for at least 6 credits and are certified to be in foster care, in the custody of a social service agency, or were a special needs adoption when they turned 18 or when they received their high school diploma or GED.
Senior Citizens Higher Education Act
award is tuition and fees at a Virginia public postsecondary institution
application is to the school with documented income eligibility
Eligible students are Virginia domiciled, enrolled in a public school, aged 60+ with an income the previous year of $15,000 or less.
Part-Time Assistance Program
award is a grant up to the cost of 3-5 hours in the Virginia Community College System
application is to the financial aid office of the school (documented financial need)
Eligible students are Virginia domiciled, enrolled part-time in a community college with demonstrated financial need.
SCHEV need and merit-based programs:
Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP)
award varies; maximum is the cost of tuition, required fees, and a book allowance
application from school financial aid office
Eligible students are Virginia domiciled, enrolled at an approved public 2 or 4 year school, show financial need, (determined by the school) and have a high school GPA of 2.5 or if homeschooled, an SAT score of 900 (or an ACT of 19).
Granville P. Meade Scholarship Program
5 awards worth $2,000 per year for 4 years
application to be submitted to high school principal (letters of recommendation and demonstration of financial need included)- winners chosen by the Virginia Department of Education
Eligible students are Virginia domiciled, high school graduates with financial need and academic achievement.
Higher Education Teacher Assistance Program
award is $2,000 per year at 4 year schools; 2 year schools can reduce the award to $1,000
application to be submitted to financial aid office and education department of the college
Eligible students are Virginia domiciled, enrolled or intending to enroll in a K-12 teacher prep program, have a college GPA of 2.5, demonstrate title IV financial need and meet federal financial aid eligibility standards.
Two Year College Transfer Program
award is $1,000 per year ($1,000 more added for students enrolled in a degree program in: science, teaching, engineering, mathematics, or nursing)
application to financial aid office of the 4 year school with submission of final 2 year academic transcript
Eligible students are Virginia domiciled, graduates of a Virginia 2 year college, enrolled in a 4 year public or private Virginia school by the fall after they graduate, have a GPA of 3.0 and an EFC of 8000 or less.
Virginia's merit programs (several are overseen by state agencies other than SCHEV):
Lee-Jackson Scholarship
24 awards of $1,000
application to high school principal
Eligible students are Virginia-born, enrolled in a 4year college and submit a winning essay.
Nursing Scholarship Programs
These are conditional scholarships where recipients must fulfill a work obligation or they will be required to pay back the scholarship with interest. Award amounts are up to $20,000
application information at the Virginia Department of Health
Eligible students must maintain a 3.0 GPA.
Southside Tobacco Loan Forgiveness Program
Loan forgiveness for this award is conditional upon meeting a work obligation in an approved county. Award is up to $3,750- for over 15 credit hours and $1,875 for under 15 credit hours.
application is at https://www.swcenter.edu/tobacco/entry_menu.asp
Eligible students are resident of Southside Virginia and have a cumulative GPA of 2.0.
Southwest Burley Tobacco Program
award is $2,750 per year
application is at https://www.swcenter.edu/tobacco/entry_menu.asp
Eligible students are Southwest Virginia residents who were former Burley tobacco quota holders or growers, and their direct descendants.
Engineer Scholarship Program
award amount is $3,500 per semester
application to Virginia Department of Transportation
Eligible students are juniors or seniors in an undergraduate ABET-accredited civil engineering program, maintain Virginia residency or attend a Virginia school, and have a GPA of 2.5.
Virginia Space Grant Consortium
a series of different scholarship programs
Undergraduate Research Scholarships- $8,500
Teacher Education Scholarships- $1,000
Community College Scholarships- $1,500
Undergraduate STEM Bridge Scholarships- $1,000
application to the Director of the Education program at the school
Eligible students are enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics and show an interest in an aerospace related career.
Virginia Teacher Scholarship/Loan Program
award is up to $3,720
application to Director of the Education program at the school
Eligible students in an education program will maintain a 2.75 GPA and agree to teach after graduation in an area or subject with a shortage of teachers.
Virginia's special circumstances programs:
Brown v. Board of Education Scholarship Program
award is cost of tuition and textbooks (excluding fees and expenses) in Virginia public schools
application: http://dls.state.va.us/brown.htm
Eligible students are persons who were enrolled or eligible toenroll in the public schools of Virginia during Massive Resistance between 1954 and 1964 where schools were closed.
Child Care Scholarship Program
award up to a maximum of $2,068
application- Virginia Department of Social Services
Eligible students are Virginia residents who are enrolled in a child care degree program and plan to work in Virginia in this field upon graduation.
Virginia Military Survivors and Dependent Education Program
award is a waiver of all tuition and mandatory fees at a Virginia public college or university and a stipend of up to $1,350
application to Virginia Department of Veterans Services
Eligible students are Virginia domiciled and spouses or children of qualifying service members and enrolled in a Virginia public college or university.
Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant Program (VTAG)
award varies according to appropriation (2009-2010 awards were $3,000 for undergraduates and $1,300 for continuing VTAG graduate students)
applications go to the financial aid office of your school- free grant applications at http://www.schev.edu/forms/TAG%20App.pdf
Eligible students are domiciled in Virginia and enrolled full time at a private institution.
SCHEV exercises limited oversight over Virginia's financial aid,including government school loans. The state prefers to assign the responsibility to Virginia's colleges and universities.
SCHEV- State Council of Higher Education for Virginia James Monroe Building Ninth Floor 101 North 14th Street Richmond, VA 23219 Phone: (804) 225-2600 Fax: (804) 225-2604
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SCHEV exercises limited oversight over Virginia's financial aid,including government school loans. The state prefers to assign the responsibility to Virginia's colleges and universities. 
