Weather Update:

The University will be closed on Friday, February 21, due to weather conditions in our immediate area. All non-essential employees should work remotely from home.  Students should monitor their University email and check Blackboard for faculty instructions, as some classes will be conducted remotely. Essential personnel should report to campus as scheduled.

We anticipate returning to normal operations on Monday, February 24.

Additional Information

Financial Aid Timeline

October

  • Students and their parents should individually obtain a FSA ID using the Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) website.
  • You must have an FSA ID to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • Students can complete and submit their FAFSA online this year in December 2023. 
  • To apply for Federal Financial Aid and receive the $1000 FAFSA grant, please visit the FAFSA website and submit your application by March 1 with our school code: 003767. (At the top of the webpage, use the drop down menu for Apply for Aid, then it is the second item in the first column- COMPLETE FAFSA FORM). *Although you must be accepted for enrollment at VWU before your financial aid will be packaged, you should apply for aid before being admitted

New students: Financial Aid Award Notifications are mailed to new admitted students starting as soon as you are admitted and your 2024-2025 FAFSA has been received by VWU

Returning students: You will be notified through your VWU email account when your financial aid package is ready to be viewed in the Financial Aid Self Service portal

  • Begin searching for outside scholarships in October

November

December

  • Apply for Federal Financial Aid and receive the $1000 FAFSA grant- please visit the FAFSA website and submit your application by March 1 with our school code: 003767. (At the top of the webpage, choose "Apply for Aid'', and you will find it as the second item in the first column- "COMPLETE FAFSA FORM"). *Although you must be accepted for enrollment at VWU before your financial aid will be packaged, you should apply for aid before being admitted
  • Review your processed FAFSA by checking your FAFSA submission summary. Correct any mistakes online
  • Returning students using Military Benefits must submit a copy of their Spring and/or January Term schedule to the VA School Certifying Official, located in the Financial Aid Office in Godwin Hall

January

  • Check for open outside scholarship applications
  • Returning students:  Check the Financial Aid Self Service portal for Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress status

March

  • Check Financial Aid Self Service
    • Review and accept/reject financial aid awards
    • Check Missing Documents for forms or documents required for financial aid
    • If you are taking out Federal Student Loans for the first time, complete your Entrance Counseling and sign the Master Promissory Note (links are listed in the checklist box)

April

  • Returning students using Military Benefits must submit a copy of their Summer and/or Fall schedule to the VA School Certifying Official, located in the Financial Aid Office in Godwin Hall, and review their remaining months of benefits

May

  • Review your Satisfactory Academic Progress status the Financial Aid Self Service portal
    • Accept/Reject Awards
    • Complete Entrance Counseling and sign Master Promissory Note (if necessary)
    • Check Missing Documents

June

  • Complete Direct Parent PLUS Loan Application or apply for a Private Education Loan to cover balance
  • Set up a payment plan with the Office of Finance if necessary

July

  • Tuition payments are due the end of the month
  • Check the Financial Aid Self Service portal for any new or changed awards to accept/reject
  • Complete Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note
  • Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant applications are due for all new students who are residents of Virginia by July 31(see Missing Documents under Financial Aid Self Service for a link to the application)

August

  • Make sure your student account has been satisfied
  • Check Financial Aid Self Service
    • Accept/Reject all Financial Aid awards
    • Turn in all missing documents
    • Apply for a Direct Parent PLUS Loan or Private Education Loan to cover balance if needed
    • Set up a 4 or 5 month payment plan with our Office of Finance to cover your balance if necessary
  • Notify the Financial Aid Office of outside scholarships
  • Financial Aid Credits are released to use in the University Store to purchase books 10 days before the start of the semester
  • Financial Aid will finalize awards and disburse them to your student account during the 2nd week of classes