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