Types of Aid

The following are the various financial aid programs that are available at Virginia Western Community College.

Grants

Need-based financial aid that does not have to be repaid. A grant is financial aid for which neither work nor repayment is required. Virginia Western Community College participates in several need-based federal- and state- funded grant programs.

In addition to financial need, a student must also satisfy numerous other eligibility criteria. The type(s) and amount(s) of financial aid are also influenced by the student's enrollment status. The following is a list of grant programs available at VWCC:

• Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) – Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) –  A federal program under which certain Pell Grant recipients can receive additional grant assistance.  Academic Competitiveness Grants are available to students for their first and second academic years of college.  To be eligible, effective July 1, 2009, a student must:

1. be Pell Grant eligible;
2. be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen;
3. have completed a rigorous high school program of study as defined by the Department of Education;
4. have graduated from high school after January 1, 2006, if a first-year student and after January 1, 2005, if a second- year student;
5. be enrolled half-time or greater;
6. be enrolled in a degree or certificate program, which is one year in length or greater;
7. have a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 or higher at the end of first academic year (in order to qualify for second- year award).

Awards will be adjusted based on your credit hours after the drop/add date.

If awarded, amounts not utilized for tuition and fees may be used to purchase books.  Any remaining amounts will be refunded to you. 

•  Virginia Commonwealth Grant (COMA) - A state-funded program under which domiciliary recipients of Virginia can receive support up to the full amount of their tuition expense.   This grant covers tuition and fees only.  Awards will be adjusted based on your credit hours after the drop/add date. You must be registered for six or more credits to be eligible for COMA.  If you are less than six credit hours, please contact the Financial Aid Office at 857-7331 to replace the grant with another grant called PTAP (see below), if funds are available.
• The College Scholarship Assistance Program (CSAP) - A state funded grant which is designed to assist students with exceptional financial need.  The recipient’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) cannot exceed half of his or her cost of education. Awards will be adjusted based on your credit hours after the drop/add date. To qualify for an award, a student must be a domiciliary resident of Virginia and must be enrolled in at least 6 credits.  The recipient cannot previously have received a baccalaureate degree. This grant covers tuition, fees, and books. 
• PELL Grant - To qualify for a Pell Grant, your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) cannot exceed 4617.  Initial Federal Pell Grant amounts are based on a projected full-time enrollment and will be reduced accordingly based on your actual enrollment at the end of the add/drop period if you are not full-time.  In most cases, the award is prorated to 75% of the amount shown if you are three-quarter time (9-11 credits), 50% if you are half-time (6-8 credits), and 25% if you are less than half-time (1-5 credits).  This proration does not apply to all award amounts, particularly lower award amounts.  You may only receive the Federal Pell Grant at one institution per semester. You are ineligible for the Federal Pell Grant if you have received a baccalaureate degree.  
• Part-time Tuition Assistance Program (PTAP) – PTAP is a state-funded program under which domiciliary residents of Virginia can receive tuition support up 1- 8 credits hours. The full amount covers tuition and fees only.  If your total tuition and fees are LESS than the award shown, your actual award will be adjusted after the drop/add period of classes.    If you are more than 8 credit hours, please contact the Financial Aid personnel at 857-7331 and they will award you the COMA grant (see above), if funds are available.
• Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) – Priority is given to Pell Grant recipients with greatest remaining need.  Amounts not used for tuition and fees may be used to purchase books.  Any remaining amounts will be refunded to you. 
• Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP) – VGAP is for first time freshmen.  Money may cover tuition and some book allowance.  To qualify, a student must be a dependent applicant, must be enrolled on a full-time basis, and must demonstrate a high school grade point average of at least 2.50.  A recipient who maintains full-time status throughout the year and attains a cumulative grade point average of at least a 2.0 GPA can receive a renewal award for the second year of study.   
• Virginia Community College Scholarship (VCCS) – VCCS is a state-funded program under which domiciliary residents of Virginia may receive tuition support and book allowance if funds are available.
• Foster Care Tuition Grant Program – The Foster Grant provides tuition and fee support to students who were in foster care, in the custody of the Department of Social Services, or considered a special needs adoption at the time of high school graduation or completion of a GED.  To qualify a student must be a domiciliary resident of Virginia, must be enrolled at least half time (6-8 credits), in an academic program of at least one academic year in length, complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid(FAFSA), and have not been previously enrolled full time in a postsecondary institution for more than five years, demonstrate financial need, and does not have a prior Bachelor's degree.  A student already receiving other grant funds sufficient to cover tuition and fees is NOT eligible.

loans

Federal Stafford Loans (FFEL) - In order to be eligible for a Federal Stafford Loan, you must be registered for a minimum of six credits per semester.  You must complete an Entrance Counseling session each year prior to the first disbursement of your loan.  Please note that the amount of your loan may be reduced by your lender by up to .5% for a loan origination fee.  Moreover, our guarantee agency (ECMC) does not currently charge a 1% federal default fee.  For more information on student loans visit our website http://www.virginiawestern.edu/finaid/studentloans.html.

Parent Loan For Undergraduate Students (PLUS) - You must be registered for six credits or more and maintain satisfactory academic progress.  For more information on the PLUS loan please visit http://www.virginiawestern.edu/finaid/studentloans.html.

Work-Study

Federal Work Study (FWS) –

All applicants for Federal Work Study must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Federal Work Study eligibility cannot be determined until the need analysis information has been received and reviewed.

The Federal Work-Study program is a need-based program which provides part-time employment opportunities to eligible students to help meet the cost of education.  Eligible students may work either on-campus, or off campus at a public or private non-profit agency.            

Employment is arranged around class schedules.  The hourly rate is slightly above federal minimum – wage.  Enrollment for 6 or more credits during the period is required.  Your work assignment typically will involve no more than 12 hours of work per week, depending upon your enrollment.

If you wish to be considered for this program, please contact the Financial Aid Office to determine eligibility. FWS can NOT be applied to your student account to cover tuition

local and private scholarships (loca)

Local and Private Scholarships (LOCA) - Originally awarded by private donors.  Normally, the aid does not have to be repaid, normally awarded on the basis of academic achievement and/or other merit.  Please visit our website of private scholarships at http://www.virginiawestern.edu/finaid/scholarships.html.

Financial Aid Programs Chart

NOTE - An INELIGIBLE in either Step 1 or Step 2 makes you ineligible for participation in that program. Otherwise, you are eligible, subject to other conditions that apply.