The Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG) has helped Virginia residents afford college since 1972. Undergraduates can receive up to $3,000 and graduate students can receive up to $1,300 per year as of the 2007-2008 school year. The VTAG is reserved for full-time students at Virginia private colleges. Students in religious and theological programs are not eligible. New regulations in the 2009-2010 school year further limit VTAG awards for graduate students to those in health career programs. Students must submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, by July 31st to be assured the VTAG. They do not need to meet any financial need or academic requirements.
The Virginia Commonwealth Award Program (VCAP) is a need-based award for students at Virginia public colleges and universities. Undergraduate students must be VIrginia residents and can be either part-time or full-time students. Graduate students do not need to be Virginian residents, although they must be full-time students. Award amounts are based on financial need, as determined by the FAFSA and the Financial Aid office at the college or university.
Since 1973, the College Scholarship Assistance Program (CSAP) has assisted Virginia students with high financial need. Students must attend a public or participating private two- or four-year college or university, and their Expected Family Contribution (EFC) on their FAFSA must be less than half the total estimated cost of attendance of their school. Certain other eligibility requirements must also be met; for example, students cannot owe refunds on any federal or state school grant programs. The CSAP can award students $400 to $5,000, depending on need.
The Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP) is a need-based award. It is designed to encourage high school students who cannot afford college to raise their grades and life goals. Students must be Virginia residents who are admitted full-time into a public Virginia college or university. They must demonstrate financial need, and must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale, or a minimum 19 ACT/900 SAT combined on the math and critical reading sections for home-schooled students.
The Granville P. Meade Scholarship is designed to give high-achieving but financially needy Virginia students the opportunity to attend a public or private Virginia college or university. High school seniors in the 2009-2010 school year must have submitted the scholarship's application to their principals by March 5th, 2010 to be considered. Scholarships are worth $2,000 per year for all four years of college.