Financial aid eligibility is the difference between the contribution students and their families are expected to make toward tuition and VCU’s estimated yearly cost of attendance. Students with an expected family contribution less than the COA are eligible for need-based financial aid. If the EFC exceeds COA, the student is eligible for financial aid not based on need.
Private scholarships may impact financial aid awards since the combination of all financial aid and scholarships cannot exceed a student’s need or COA. Students who have received scholarships not listed on their award letter or eServices Financial Aid page should provide this information to the Office of Financial Aid as soon as possible.
Additionally, when changes are made to a FAFSA application, we will conduct a secondary review of the student's financial aid package. If we are required to reduce aid because of these changes, we will adjust loans or work-study awards before reducing grants.
While federal and state financial aid is need based, students must maintain satisfactory academic progress requirements to retain financial aid eligibility.
When there is more than one undergraduate-level child in college at the same time, family contribution is generally prorated among the college students. Parents attending college at the same time as their children are not included.
Even if parents don’t contribute money toward education, students are considered dependent unless they meet one or more of these conditions:
VCU offers several degree programs where students may earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. Many of these accelerated degree programs allow students to enroll in graduate courses before an undergraduate degree has been conferred. Students’ financial aid eligibility depends on their student classification.