2013-2014 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 Unsubsidized Student Loans 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

DO NOT COMPLETE THE CSS/PROFILE APPLICATION, AS THIS WILL DELAY THE PROCESSING OF YOUR FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION.

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 2013-2014. If you have not received your log in instructions, please contact the school to which you are applying for assistance.
   
   
   
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. Additional instructions will follow if you have been selected.
   
   
   
5. Do NOT submit copies of your most recent tax documents unless you are specifically instructed to do so by our office.
   
   
   
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.

PLEASE NOTE: Because many departments do not apply their awards until later in the summer before classes begin, you may not receive your need-based award until some time after August 1st. Please know that your federal aid eligibility consists of loans up to $20,500. If your department will be funding you, our office must wait until after they have completed their awarding in order to avoid your being overawarded. Overawarding can have several undesirable consequences, including blocking refunds to the student and/or requiring students to pay back money that was previously refunded to them. It is in the best interest of all to avoid overawarding.

Receiving Outside Scholarships

If you anticipate you will receive outside scholarships, you must notify us when completing the University Financial Aid Application.

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.