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FAQs

What is the FAFSA and why do I have to fill it out every year?
The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. We use this information to determine what types of aid each student is eligible for. We will not be able to award any need-based institutional or federal financial aid, without the FAFSA. You must complete the FAFSA for each year you plan on attending classes towards your degree program.

My parent(s) doesn't want to fill out the FAFSA. Can I still get aid?
Students under the age of 24 are considered dependent and are required to submit their parent’s information on the FAFSA. There are certain exceptions to this rule, however. If you believe that you should not have to submit your parent’s information, please reach out to our office.

What is the Student Aid Index (SAI)?
Your SAI is a number that is generated based on the information that you provide on the FAFSA. The SAI gives us information that tells us what types of aid, and how much of each, you may be eligible for.

Do I need to send the school a copy of my FAFSA?
As long as you’ve included our school code (003767) on your FASFA, a copy will automatically be sent to us. Once we have received your FAFSA, you will receive a system generated email letting you know that we have it. If you did not list our school code, you can go back into your FAFSA account and add our code so that we can receive a copy.

Where do I apply for loans?
The FAFSA is your application for Federal Direct Loans. You will see these loans listed on your award letter. If you would like to accept the loans being offered to you, you will need to complete Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note online at  before any loan funds will be disbursed to your account. If your parent would like to apply for a Parent PLUS Loan, they can do so online at , as well. The Parent PLUS Loan is borrowed in the parent's name and also requires a Master Promissory Note.
Private Education Loans are also available. You can apply for an alternative loan online at www.elmselect.com. The student may need a credit-worthy co-signer for these loans.

What if I get denied for the Parent PLUS Loan?
If a parent is denied the Parent PLUS Loan, the student will then become eligible to borrow an additional unsubsidized loan in their name. The additional loan will be $4,000.00 if the student has earned less than 54 credit hours, and $5,000.00 if the student has earned 54 or more credit hours.
If you would still like to pursue the PLUS Loan after being denied, you may get an endorser for the loan, similar to a co-signer, and the student will not be eligible for the additional unsubsidized loan.

What is the difference between the Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans?
The Subsidized Loan does not accrue interest while the student is in school, and does not start accruing interest until it goes into repayment, 6 months after the student graduates or leaves school. The interest is subsidized by the government. It is a need-based loan with a 6.53% fixed interest rate; the government will pay the interest while the student is in school. The Unsubsidized Loan also has a 6.53% fixed interest rate and the government does not pay the interest while the student is in school. It begins accruing interest right away.
Repayment on both loans begins six (6) months after the student graduates or drops below a half-time enrollment status (below 6 credits). There is no penalty for early repayment on either loan, and should you like to set up repayment early, you can contact your loan servicer to do so.

What if I cannot afford my loan payment?
Repayment on your Direct Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Loans begins 6 months after you graduate or drop below half-time enrollment. During your 6 month grace period, you will receive notices from your loan servicer regarding repayment of your loans. Students are generally automatically enrolled in the Standard Repayment Plan, but you may be eligible to participate in other payment plan options. More information is available online at

My parent(s) lost his/her job, can you give me more aid?
If you are experiencing extenuating circumstances, you may be eligible for additional aid. Please contact the Financial Aid office at 757.455.3345 or finaid@vwu.edu to inquire about your options. 

Will my scholarship increase if my grades improve?
No. The VWU Merit Scholarship that you are awarded as an admitted applicant will not increase, and is renewed at the same amount for a total of 8 semesters.

Are there outside scholarships available?
We keep an updated list of available outside scholarships on our website, under types of financial aid. We encourage you to review them often and apply for any that you believe you are a good fit for.

What is work-study?
Federal Work Study is a program offered by the Department of Education that allows students to work on campus. Students are paid minimum wage and can earn up to $1,250 per semester, working an average of 10 hours per week. Students must apply for a job and be hired in order to participate. If selected for a position, the student will receive a regular paycheck, biweekly. The student can spend the money him/herself, or return the money to the business office to apply toward the next semester's expenses.
The Campus Cooperative Program is another type of work-study that VWU offers our students. These jobs are also available to students that have completed a FAFSA, but may not have qualified for Federal Work Study. Students in the Campus Coop program are compensated in the form of a grant, rather than a paycheck, in the amount of $1,250 per semester. The grant is applied directly to their student account towards their balance due.