P: 804-257-5882 F:804-257-5797 E: finaid@vuu.edu
What's the first step in applying for financial assistance?
Start by completing and filing the current Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). On the FAFSA, be sure to list all colleges and universities you're considering attending and double check to make sure your social security number is listed correctly on the application. It's best to have already-filed federal tax information available to complete the FAFSA. Four to six weeks after you submit your completed FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR), which will also be sent to all colleges and universities listed on your FAFSA.
How do I know whether I'll qualify for aid?
Once Virginia Union University has received your admissions application and SAR, we can determine whether you'll qualify for any college-sponsored funding, such as merit scholarships, in addition to federal funding. Your financial aid "package" may include the following funding: Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Perkins Loan, Stafford Loan (subsidized/unsubsidized), Federal Work Study, Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant, CSPA, Parent PLUS Loan, VUU Grant, and Merit Scholarship. Virginia residents also may be awarded Virginia TAG and Virginia College Scholarship Assistance Program.
Do I need to apply separately for state funding programs?
Yes. Virginia residents must complete and file the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG) application, which is available from the VUU Office of Admissions (800-368-3227).
Can I apply for financial aid on-line?
Yes! The first step in the financial aid process is to complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Your filing options are a Paper FAFSA (7-10 processing days), or Electronic (3-5 days) to process. Electronic filing eliminates delays that can occur by mailing the application. Also, FAFSA on the Web edits the application prior to submitting it to Federal Student Aid, which significantly reduces the number of errors on the application. FAFSA on the Web now even lets applicants from the previous award year pre-fill the application with much of their preexisting data.
Remember to include VUU's Title IV code (003766) so your SAR will be sent automatically to Virginia Union University.
For help with filling out the FAFSA, you can go to
When should I apply?
It's important to apply as early as possible--that is, January 1 (for the Fall semester) or as soon as your Federal taxes for the previous tax year have been filed. You cannot apply earlier than January 1. And remember, don't wait for a response to your admissions application before you apply for financial aid; file the FAFSA as soon after January 1 as possible--especially if financial aid will determine your college choice.