The purpose of the VMI financial aid program is to provide financial assistance and counseling to cadets and prospective cadets so as to reduce the financial barriers that could hinder enrollment, retention, and success at VMI. Awards are based on the cadet’s demonstrated financial need as determined through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is available on-line at https://studentaid.gov.
Sources of aid at VMI include Federal Direct Loans, Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Commonwealth of Virginia Programs, institutional aid, need-based and merit-based aid endowed through the VMI Foundation, Inc. and athletic scholarships provided by the VMI Keydet Club.
Federal Direct Loans are available regardless of need. Cadets must apply for financial aid by submitting the FAFSA and VMI Statement of Educational Purpose before they may be considered for a Federal Direct Loan. Parents can borrow up to the full cost of their child’s education through the Federal PLUS Loan Program. There must be a current FAFSA on file for the student before the parent can utilize the Federal PLUS Loan. More information on the Federal Direct Loan programs may be found at https://studentaid.gov.
Normally, payment of all financial aid awards is made in two installments, credited to the cadet’s account in each semester of the school session. Statements provided on PostView will reflect credit for aid awarded. In the event of withdrawal before the end of the refund period, financial aid will be pro-rated. Renewal of financial aid is not automatic and cadets must apply for aid each year by submitting a completed FAFSA and the VMI Statement of Educational Purpose by the 1 March priority deadline.. The FAFSA may be completed on-line at https://studentaid.gov.
ROTC Scholarships. For information on applying for such grants, see Reserve Officers Training Corps .
State Cadets. These are residents of Virginia who receive special appointments by the Board of Visitors, as specified in the Code of Virginia. The Board shall provide financial assistance equal to a state cadet applicant’s demonstrated need up to the Institute’s prevailing charges for tuition, mandatory fees, and other necessary charges. State Cadetships, which are limited in number, are restricted to bona fide residents of Virginia, and applicants are required to show, on the basis of need, that it would be impossible to attend VMI without this financial assistance. Applications are made on forms which will be furnished by the Financial Aid Officer on request, and these applications should be submitted before 1 March of the year in which the applicant wishes to enter VMI.
Upon receiving a State Cadetship, the State Cadet must assume certain obligations to the Commonwealth of Virginia in return for the financial assistance awarded through the Cadetship. The Sections of the Code of Virginia setting forth provisions for State Cadetships and the obligations concerned may be obtained from the Financial Aid Office. Applicants for a State Cadetship also need a recommendation from their State Senator.
Institute Scholarship Program. Institute Scholarship opportunities are available each year to outstanding cadets with well-balanced high school records that include athletics and leadership roles. Normally, applicants should score at least 1380 (combined) on the SAT or at least 31 on the ACT, have a high school GPA of at least 3.7 and have standing within the top 10% of his/her high school class. Selection is based on merit; financial need is not a criterion. Institute Scholarships are renewable annually as long as the recipient meets the standards required for membership in the Institute Honors Program, and a satisfactory conduct record. For information, please contact the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, 210 Smith Hall.
How to Apply for Financial Aid
Prospective and returning cadets should complete the FAFSA and VMI Financial Aid Application by March 1st.
The forms to be completed are as follows:
- The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) which is mandatory and may be completed on the internet at https://studentaid.gov. All applicants should indicate on the form that VMI may have access to the needs analysis information by entering VMI’s Title IV code - 003753. This form is available October 1st each year.
- VMI Statement of Educational Purpose which is available online at http://www.vmi.edu/financialaid.
Satisfactory Academic Progress and good conduct standing must be maintained in order to receive financial assistance.
Final decisions on financial aid awards for incoming cadets begin in February and are completed by mid-April. Applicants are normally notified no later than early May. Returning cadet financial aid awards are completed once final grades are posted. Cadets are notified by mid-June.
Financial Aid Awards
Awards consist of grants, scholarships, and loans and are awarded based on demonstrated financial need and a listing of applicable federal and state programs is available on the VMI Financial Aid Office website, http://www.vmi.edu/financialaid.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy and Awarding of Federal Financial Aid
I. Purpose
The establishment of a Satisfactory Academic Progress policy at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) is mandated by the Department of Education in order to be eligible for Federal Title IV aid. All schools that receive these funds must have a reasonable policy for monitoring that progress. The Department considers a satisfactory academic progress policy to be reasonable if it meets both the qualitative and quantitative criteria established by the school.
II. Definitions
- Regular semester denotes fall term or spring term
- Full-time student is enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester
- Completed semester hours are hours successfully completed with a passing grade
- Attempted semester hours are hours attempted and successfully completed or not successfully completed. Attempted semester hours include incompletes, official withdrawals, unofficial withdrawals, unsatisfactory grades, failing grades, repeated and audited courses, and transfer courses.
- Title IV funds include Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Direct Subsidized, Unsubsidized and PLUS Loans.
- Academic year reflects Summer Transition Program (first year cadets only), fall semester, spring semester and summer I and summer II.
III. Requirements
The eligible Title IV applicant at VMI must meet all of these minimum requirements: qualitative, quantitative and maximum timeframe as defined below. More detailed information is provided in the Academic Standards as published by the Registrar’s Office and approved by the Deputy Superintendent for Academics.
- Qualitative Requirement. Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) per established academic standards. See Academic Standards.
- Quantitative Requirement. Cadets must, at a minimum, receive satisfactory grades in 80% of cumulative credits attempted. This calculation is performed by dividing the cumulative total number of successfully completed credits by the cumulative total number of credits attempted. All transfer credits accepted count as both attempted and completed.
- Maximum Timeframe. All cadets must complete program requirements within 10 regular semesters.
Notification. VMI measures Satisfactory Academic Progress at the end of each spring semester. The Financial Aid Office suspends Federal Title IV aid, to include VA educational benefits, and notifies each cadet who fails to meet all three measures of academic progress (qualitative, quantitative, and maximum timeframe).
Appeal. A cadet has the right to appeal the decision to suspend Title IV eligibility based on failure to meet minimum standards of academic progress. The Financial Aid Office provides the appeal form and reviews each appeal promptly and notifies the cadet of its decision. Cadets are limited to one financial aid appeal per cadetship.
Categories for appeal consideration include:
- Medical (Injury/Illness of cadet)
- Death of a relative (immediate family member)
- Military service/mobilization
- Other special circumstances
Reinstatement. A cadet who is not making satisfactory academic progress and loses Title IV eligibility may attend VMI without benefit of Title IV aid if the cadet is otherwise eligible to enroll. If the cadet’s academic progress improves and meets the standards of satisfactory academic progress, eligibility for Title IV aid will be reinstated for the following regular term. Cadets are encouraged to take advantage of VMI Summer Sessions I and II in order to improve their academic standing. They may also attend summer school in their local area and have these courses used to improve their eligibility for meeting SAP. All transfer courses must be submitted and approved through the VMI Registrar’s course evaluation process before enrolling in any transfer course(s).
IV. Applicability
This policy shall apply to all enrolled cadets.
Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program
A state program for bonafide Virginia residents whose parents were killed or permanently disabled due to war service or who were taken prisoners of war or missing in action. Upon determination of eligibility by the Virginia Department of Veteran Services, tuition and mandatory fees will be waived. In addition, as funds are available, eligible students may receive a stipend to offset other educational expenses. Once declared eligible, the DVS will send VMI a letter certifying your eligibility and period of eligibility. Report to the Financial Aid Office to have your enrollment completed.
For more information telephone the VMI Financial Aid Office at 540-464-7208 or call the Dept. of Veterans Services at 804-225-2083. Or find the VMSDEP website, https://www.dvs.virginia.gov/education-employment/virginia-military-survivors-and-dependents-education-program-2-2.
Virginia Line of Duty Waiver
Pursuant to the Code of Virginia (§ 23.1-609), a student whose parent was killed in the line of duty while employed or serving as a public safety officer or firefighter with the Commonwealth of Virginia, or one of its political subdivisions, shall be entitled to a waiver of tuition and mandatory fees under certain conditions.
Federal Veteran Education Benefits
To receive benefits under the VA Chapter 33 Post 9/11, Chapter 35 Dependents and Survivor program, or GI Bill Chapter 1606 the student/parent must apply to the VA online. All eligible students must then bring their “Certificate of Eligibility” or “Notice of Basic Eligibility” to the Financial Aid Office in order to process their claims. Returning eligible cadets must re-apply for this benefit each year through the Financial Aid Office. All cadets using VA education benefits are required to meet published Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements in order to maintain access to these funds.
Title 38 United States Code Section 3679(c) as amended.
The following individuals shall be charged the in-state rate, or otherwise considered a resident, for tuition purposes:
• A Veteran using educational assistance under either chapter 30 (Montgomery G.I. Bill – Active Duty Program) or chapter 33 (Post-9/11 G.I. Bill), of title 38, United States Code, who lives in the Commonwealth of Virginia while attending a school located in the Commonwealth of Virginia (regardless of his/her formal State of residence) and enrolls in the school within three years of discharge from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
• Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) who lives in the Commonwealth of Virginia while attending a school located in the Commonwealth of Virginia (regardless of his/her formal State of residence) and enrolls in the school within three years of the transferor’s discharge from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
• A spouse or child using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (38 U.S.C. § 3311(b)(9)) who lives in the Commonwealth of Virginia while attending a school located in the Commonwealth of Virginia (regardless of his/her formal State of residence) and enrolls in the school within three years of the Service member’s death in the line of duty following a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
An individual using educational assistance under chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) who lives in the Commonwealth of Virginia while attending a school located in the Commonwealth of Virginia (regardless of his/her formal State of residence) effective for courses, semesters, or terms beginning after March 1, 2019
Anyone described above while he or she remains continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms) at the same institution. The person so described must have enrolled in the institution prior to the expiration of the three-year period following discharge or release as described above and must be using educational benefits under either chapter 30, chapter 33, or chapter 31 of title 38, United States Code.
SEC. 103. DISAPPROVAL FOR PURPOSES OF EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OF CERTAIN COURSES OF EDUCATION THAT DO NOT PERMIT INDIVIDUALS TO ATTEND OR PARTICIPATE IN COURSES PENDING PAYMENT.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3679 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
“(e) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, beginning on August 1, 2019, a State approving agency, or the Secretary when acting in the role of the State approving agency, shall disapprove a course of education provided by an educational institution that has in effect a policy that is inconsistent with any of the following:
“(A) A policy that permits any covered individual to attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides to the educational institution a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 31 or 33 of this title and ending on the earlier of the following dates:
“(i) The date on which the Secretary provides payment for such course of education to such institution.
“(ii) The date that is 90 days after the date on which the educational institution certifies for tuition and fees following receipt from the student such certificate of eligibility.
“(B) A policy that ensures that the educational institution will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement of a payment to be provided by the Secretary under chapter 31 or 33 of this title.
“(2) For purposes of this subsection, a covered individual is any individual who is entitled to educational assistance under chapter 31 or 33 of this title.
“(3) The Secretary may waive such requirements of paragraph (1) as the Secretary considers appropriate.
“(4) It shall not be inconsistent with a policy described in paragraph (1) for an educational institution to require a covered individual to take the following additional actions:
“(A) Submit a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance not later than the first day of a course of education for which the individual has indicated the individual wishes to use the individual’s entitlement to educational assistance.
“(B) Submit a written request to use such entitlement.
“(C) Provide additional information necessary to the proper certification of enrollment by the educational institution.”
(b) PROMPT PAYMENTS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall take such actions as may be necessary to ensure that the Secretary makes a payment to an educational institution on behalf of an individual, who is Section 103 Compliance Page 4 entitled to educational assistance under chapter 31 or 33 of title 38, United States Code, and who is using such assistance to pursue a program of education at the educational institution, not later than 60 days after the date on which the educational institution certifies to the Secretary the applicable tuition and fees for the individual.
(2) SEMIANNUAL REPORTS.—Not later than May 1 and October 1 of each year, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a semiannual report summarizing any cases in which the Secretary failed to make a payment described in paragraph (1) within the period set forth in such paragraph and an explanation for each delayed disbursement of payment.
(c) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—In a case in which an individual is unable to meet a financial obligation to an educational institution due to the delayed disbursement of a payment to be provided by the Secretary under chapter 31 or 33 of such title and the amount of such disbursement is less than anticipated, nothing in section 3679(e) of such title, as added by subsection (a), shall be construed to prohibit an educational institution from requiring additional payment or imposing a fee for the amount that is the difference between the amount of the financial obligation and the amount of the disbursement.
“The Virginia State Approving Agency (SAA), is the approving authority of education and training programs for Virginia. Our office investigates complaints of GI Bill beneficiaries. While most complaints should initially follow the school grievance policy, if the situation cannot be resolved at the school, the beneficiary should contact our office via email saa@dvs.virginia.gov
For additional information on VA Education programs please visit the financial Aid office on our website http://www.vmi.edu/about/offices-a-z/financial-aid/ or telephone the VMI Financial Aid office at 540.464.7208
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