2011-2012 Academic Year

General Information

All fellowships, assistantships, and other grants and scholarship awards available to graduate students are administered by the various University departments or schools. Students seeking financial aid should apply directly to their department or school for assistance first before considering federal financial aid programs and alternative loans.

•	Graduate students must be enrolled in at least 6 credit and/or research hours to be considered for any Federal assistance.
•	Graduate students are billed based on the student’s Approved Academic Load (either Full Time or Part Time.  Full Time is based on 12 hours.  For example, if a student enrolls in nine non-topical research hours and her Approved Academic Load is full time, the student will be charged for twelve credit hours which is the default for full time.  To remedy the situation, the student should enroll in twelve non-topical research hours.
•	Graduate students are encouraged to enroll early for a more accurate Federal financial aid award.
•	In general, graduate students may receive up to $20,500 in Federal Direct Student Loans (combined subsidized and unsubsidized amounts) during the award period.
•	Depending on availability of funds, graduate students may also receive a Federal Work-Study award.
•	Please note that the total of all financial assistance, including departmental awards, tuition remission and health insurance assistance, cannot exceed the estimated cost of attendance.

How To Apply

1. Apply for a U.S. Department of Education personal identification number (PIN) if you don't already have one. Your PIN will allow you to electronically "sign" financial aid applications and federal loan promissory notes. Apply for a PIN online at pin.ed.gov.
2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
   
   
   For the quickest and most accurate processing, students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.gov.
   
   The University of Virginia's school code for the FAFSA is 003745.
   
   
3. Submit a University of Virginia Financial Aid Application
   
   This application is available on-line in the Student Center of the Student Information System.   Students are encouraged to print out and complete the Graduate Financial Aid Application Worksheet to assist the student in completing the on-line application. 
   
   Access to the system is available through the Student Portal.  You will receive an e-mail from the Graduate School to which you have applied supplying your log in instructions.  Once you have received that information, log in using your University computing ID, and the password you created.  Once in the system, click on the MyUVa tab.   Go to the Finances section of the Student Center and find the link to Apply for Financial Aid 2011-2012. If you have not received your log in instructions, please contact the school to which you are applying for assistance. DO NOT COMPLETE THE CSS/PROFILE APPLICATION, AS THIS WILL DELAY THE PROCESSING OF YOUR FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION.
   
   
   
4. Some students will be notified by e-mail or in writing that they have been selected for verification. If you have been selected for verification our office is required to verify the information you reported on your FAFSA. To complete this process, please submit the Graduate Verification form to our office as soon as possible.
   
   2011-2012 Graduate Verification Form (coming soon)
   
   
   
5. Submit copies of your most recent tax documents (Form 1040 with attached schedules, 1040A, or 1040 EZ; W-2 forms) ONLY IF you were selected for Verification. Otherwise you do not need to send them.  Independent students are required to submit both their spouse's (if applicable) and their own income tax documents.
   
   If you or your spouse are not required to file an income tax return, please indicate this on your University Financial Aid application or Graduate Verification Form.
   
   
   
6. All graduate students must reapply for financial aid every year.
   

What Happens Next?

Your FAFSA will be sent to us electronically. We will review it, and if necessary, request additional documentation to verify your information. Once we receive and review all of your information, including and departmental awards and your enrollment, we will post your award information in the Finances section of your Student Center in the SIS, detailing your financial aid package. If you are enrolled in any summer term, your financial aid awards could change.

Receiving Outside Scholarships

If you anticipate you will receive outside scholarships, you must notify us either when completing the University Financial Aid Application, or you may notify us in the SIS, under the Finances section, in the Report Other Financial Aid section.

Non-University awards include all scholarships and grants awarded by agencies other than our office, such as:

• University Alumni Association

• Resident Advisor room and/or board awards

• ROTC scholarships

• National Merit or National Achievement Scholarships

• Tuition Benefits/Reimbursements

• Any scholarships or grants awarded by churches, high schools, fraternities & sororities, corporations, professional or civic organizations.