Award Letter Types
Your first award letter is marked as Official. Any changes after the Official letter will come to you on a Revised award letter. All awards are based on the number of hours indicated on your application.
Determination of Need
Your eligibility for assistance is determined by using information from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The information for Parent and Student contribution comes from the FAFSA. Independent students will not have a Parent contribution. Other Resources include direct outside awards, employee waivers, VA benefits, etc.
Grants and Scholarships
The University of Virginia awards financial aid primarily on the basis of need. Examples of need-based aid include Pell Grants, Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (SEOG), ACCESS UVa Grant.
Loans
For information about need-based loans, please click here.
Financial Aid Account Information
Loan funds will be applied first to your university SIS student account to pay any existing charges such as tuition and fees, etc. All remaining funds will be sent to the student via electronic transfer (Direct Deposit, http://www.virginia.edu/studentaccounts/direct_deposit.html) or paper check mailed to the local address listed with the university. You may update your local address with the University Registrar at SIS. Since remaining funds will not be available until after final registration, students need to be prepared to cover early semester expenses with other funds.
Outside Scholarships
If you receive outside scholarships or other non-University awards after your Federal funds have been awarded, your eligibility for aid will be reassessed. When your Federal aid is reduced by other awards, you will receive written notice of which funds have been reduced and by how much. You may be required to pay back disbursed funds for which you are no longer eligible.
Additional Information
The Financial Aid Forms Directory contains the forms that you will need for most situations. The following are common situations for which you may need to complete a form:
*Notify our Office about Non-University Awards -- All non-university scholarship awards must be reported to the University. Non-university awards will be applied first to unmet need, then will replace loans and then work-study. If your non-university award exceeds your unmet need, loans and work-study, then your university grants will be reduced.
*One-Time Computer Expense Request -- If you have or wish to purchase your own computer, you may apply for a one-time computer allowance loan. If you have available loan eligibility, your award will be increased by the allowable amount for your computer expense. Please note that if you are granted a computer loan, the funds will be applied first to your university SIS student account to pay any existing university charges. If there are funds remaining after all university charges are paid, a refund will be sent to the student.
*File an Appeal for Reconsideration of Your Financial Aid -- If you feel that your financial aid award should be reviewed because special or extenuating circumstances have occurred since your financial aid was first awarded, you may submit an appeal for reconsideration. A limited number of circumstances will warrant an appeal. A list of the criteria for an appeal and the form are available here.
Student Information System
The Student Information System (SIS) is available on-line. You can view your financial aid information as it is awarded and all current billing information. |
