October
Student and one parent should individually obtain an 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 as early as, but not before, October 1. To apply for FAFSA, please visit the FAFSA website. (At the top 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 you are considered for financial aid, you should apply for aid before being admitted.
New students: Financial Aid Award Notifications are mailed to new admitted students starting mid-October or as soon as you are admitted and your 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 your Financial Aid Self Service.
Begin searching for outside scholarships in October.
November
- Complete the FAFSA form.
December
- Review your processed FAFSA by checking your SAR (Student Aid Report). Correct any mistakes online.
- Returning students using Military Benefits: Turn in a copy of your spring and/or January Term schedule to the VA Certifying Official, located in the Financial Aid Office in Godwin Hall, if you are planning on using your benefits.
January
- Continue looking for outside scholarship opportunities.
- Returning students: Check your Financial Aid Self Service for Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress.
March
- Check Financial Aid Self Service
- Review and accept/reject financial aid awards
- Check Missing Documents for forms or documents the financial aid office needs
- 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: Turn in a copy of your Summer and/or Fall schedule to the VA Certifying Official, located in the Financial Aid Office in Godwin Hall, if you are planning on using your benefits. Check your remaining months of entitlement.
May
- Review your financial aid summary status on Financial Aid Self Service
- Accept/Reject Awards
- Complete Entrance Counseling and sign Master Promissory Note
- Check Missing Documents
June
- Complete Direct Parent PLUS Loan Application or Apply for a Bank Loan to cover balance
- Set up payment plans with the Office of Finance.
July
- Bills are due the end of the month
- Check Financial Aid Self Service for any new or changed awards to accept/reject
- Complete Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note
- Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant application is due for all new students (see Missing Documents under Financial Aid Self Service for link to application)
August
- Make sure your student account has been satisfied
- Check Financial Aid Self Service
- Accepted/Rejected Financial Aid Awards
- Turned in all missing Documents
- Applied for a Direct Parent PLUS Loan or Bank Loan to cover balance
- Set up either a 4 or 5 month payment plan with our Office of Finance
- 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 transmit them to your student account the 2nd week of classes