IMPORTANT FINANCIAL AID UPDATE:
Students and families will continue to have access the FAFSA and receive Federal Aid during the U.S. government shutdown. UMW’s dedicated Financial Aid Advisors are ready to assist students and families experiencing financial hardship during this time. If you have questions about changes in your financial status, bill pay options, etc. contact UMW Financial Aid at finaid@umw.edu, (540)654-2468, or by visiting our office on the second floor of Lee Hall.
Types of Aid
The UMW Office of Financial Aid strives to assist students in reaching their educational goals by providing information and resources regarding financial aid options. UMW administers a variety of institutional, state, federal, and private aid in the form of grants, scholarships and student loans. UMW also works with private lenders and scholarship administrators to ensure that students receive their financial aid in a timely manner.
Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is automatically awarded to undergraduate students that meet all qualifications. Students must complete the FAFSA and demonstrate a specific level of financial need. This level changes each academic year.
The amount of the Federal Pell Grant also changes each year, as determined by the U.S. Department of Education. Amounts are based on a student’s financial need, institutional estimated cost of attendance, and enrollment status. Students may receive the Federal Pell Grant at one institution per semester, and cannot receive the grant more than 12 semesters.
Year-round Pell will be available to eligible students this year. This change to the Federal Pell Grant Program allows eligible students to receive up to 150 percent of a regular Federal Pell Grant Award over the course of the academic year (Fall, Spring, and Summer). To be eligible to receive the additional Pell Grant funds, the student must be otherwise eligible to receive Pell Grant funds for the payment period and must be enrolled at least half-time.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The FSEOG grant is awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need, as determined by the FAFSA. Students that complete the FAFSA, and meet all other qualifications, are automatically awarded.
Federal TEACH Grant
Through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, Congress created the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program that provides grants of up to $4,000 per year to students who are completing or plan to complete course work needed to begin a career in teaching.
As a condition for receiving a TEACH Grant:
You must complete the TEACH Grant counseling that explains the terms and conditions of the TEACH Grant service obligation. You must complete counseling each year that you receive a TEACH Grant.
You must also sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve in which you agree to (among other requirements) teach
- in a high-need field;
- at an elementary school, secondary school, or educational service agency that serves students from low-income families; and
- for at least four complete academic years within eight years after completing (or ceasing enrollment in) the course of study for which you received the grant.
Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program
This grant is awarded to undergraduate students with financial need according to the UMW and SCHEV awarding criteria each year. Students must submit the FAFSA each academic year, and meet all other qualifying criteria by the priority filing deadline to be considered. Other criteria include being a dependent student, being enrolled full time (12 credits/semester) each semester and graduating from a VA High School. Virginia residents that file the FAFSA by the priority filing deadline are automatically considered for this award.
Awards may be renewed for up to three additional years provided that the student: maintains continuous, full-time enrollment; advances to the next class level each year (30 credit hours per academic year – fall/spring); maintains domiciliary residency in Virginia; demonstrates continued financial need; maintains a college grade point average of at least 2.0; maintains satisfactory academic progress standards for federal aid programs, and completes the FAFSA application by the priority deadline.
Virginia Commonwealth Award
This grant is awarded to undergraduate students with financial need according to the UMW awarding criteria each year. Students must submit the FAFSA each academic year, and meet all other qualifying criteria by the priority filing deadline to be considered. Because the funding for these grants change from year to year, renewal is not guaranteed. Virginia residents that file the FAFSA by the priority filing deadline are automatically considered for this award.
Virginia Two Year College Transfer Grant
This educational grant is awarded to incoming students that have transferred to UMW after earning an Associate’s degree at a Virginia two year public institution, and meet all other criteria. Students may apply by completing the Virginia Two Year College Transfer Grant Application and submitting the application to the UMW Office of Financial Aid.
Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program
This educational benefit is geared toward the spouses and children of military service members killed, missing in action, taken prisoner, or who became at least 90% disabled as a result of military service in an armed conflict. This benefit includes a waiver of tuition and all required fees associated with tuition to any public institution of higher education, as well as a possible stipend each semester. Students may apply for these benefits, and find more information, through the Virginia Department of Veterans Services.
The federal TEACH grant comes through the college cost reduction and access act of 2007. Congress created the teacher education assistance for college and higher education (TEACH) grant program, which provides grants of up to $4,000 per year to students who are completing or plan to complete course work needed to begin a teaching career.
Conditions for receiving a TEACH grant
You must complete the TEACH grant counseling that explains the TEACH grant service obligation’s terms and conditions. You must complete counseling each year that you receive a TEACH grant.
You must also sign a TEACH grant agreement to serve in which you agree to (among other requirements) teach:
- In a high-need field.
- At an elementary school, secondary school, or educational service agency that serves students from low-income families.
- For at least four complete academic years within eight years after completing (or ceasing enrollment in) the course of study for which you received the grant.
Have questions about the federal TEACH grant?
Please contact Graduate Admissions at (540) 286-8030 or Email us at graduate@umw.edu, or you can fill out our Request for More Information Form.
UMW administers a variety of student loan options, including Federal Direct Loans, private educational loans, and Direct Parent Plus Loans. Before accepting a student loan, students are encouraged to research the terms and conditions of those loans. Students and families may also meet with a UMW Financial Aid representative to discuss the responsibilities of accepting student loans.
Financial Aid
The Office of Financial Aid is committed to supporting student success of Service members and their families. Financial Aid Advisers are available for all students to discuss financial aid options (including Federal, State, Institutional, and private options). Visit us on the second floor of Lee Hall in the Student Services Center.
More information: https://www.umw.edu/financialaid/service_members
Service Member Contact: Tessa Howard, Assistant Director of Financial Aid, finaid@umw.edu, (540)654-2468
UMW Student Loans
UMW administers a variety of student loan options, including Federal Direct Loans, private educational loans, and Direct Plus Loans. The UMW Student Loan Coordinator is available to all Service members for appointments regarding loan counseling, recommendations, repayment options, and general loan information.
UMW’s most recent Cohort Default Rate for federal student loans was 1.8%, which is significantly lower than the national average (11.5%) and the average in the state of Virginia (10%).
More information: https://www.umw.edu/financialaid/types/loans
Service Member Contact: Rick Ware, UMW Loan Coordinator, rware9jm@umw.edu , (540)654-2468
Scholarships
UMW automatically considers students for Merit-based Freshmen and Transfer Scholarship opportunities during the admissions process. Students also may apply for scholarships through the UMW Online Scholarship Manager from February 1st to May 15th for the upcoming academic year. UMW administers a variety of different scholarship opportunities throughout the academic year. Students are notified through their UMW email account when scholarships become available, and directions on how to apply.
More information: https://www.umw.edu/financialaid/types/scholarship-opportunities/
Service Member Contact: Jessica Cannon, Assistant Director of Scholarships, Office of Financial Aid, finaid@umw.edu, (540)654-2468
Non-UMW Scholarship and Fellowship Opportunities: http://students.umw.edu/veterans/scholarship-and-fellowship-opportunities/
Office of Student Accounts
The Office of Student Accounts is responsible for: the assessment and billing of tuition, housing fees, dining charges, and other University fees; invoicing third-party payers; processing refunds to eligible students; and handling all inquiries concerning tuition transactions.
UMW Refund Policy/Schedule: http://adminfinance.umw.edu/studentaccounts/refund-policy-and-schedule/
More information: http://adminfinance.umw.edu/studentaccounts/
Contact: umwbills@umw.edu, (540)654-1250
UMW Veterans Affairs Liasons
The Department of Veterans Affairs Education Service offers many benefit programs. These benefits include the Montgomery GI Bill, Tuition Assistance “Top Up”, Veterans Educational Assistance Program, Survivor’s and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program, Tutorial Assistance Program and numerous other benefit programs.
More information: http://academics.umw.edu/registrar/veterans/
Service Member Contacts:
Fredericksburg Campus: Patricia Sarkuti, Office of the Registrar, psarkuti@umw.edu , 540-654-2140
Stafford Campus: Ryan Hastings, rhasting@umw.edu , 540-286-8075
Other UMW Resources
UMW Office of Academic and Career Services
Talley Center for Counseling Services
Fredericksburg Campus Writing Center
Fredericksburg Campus Speaking Center
Center for Honor, Leadership and Service
Local Non-UMW Resources: http://students.umw.edu/veterans/local-resources/
Other Useful Links: http://students.umw.edu/veterans/other-links-and-resources/
CONSUMER INFORMATION
In accordance with the Higher Education Act of 1965, University of Mary Washington consumer information must be made available to all students at the University of Mary Washington. To obtain a paper copy of this information, please contact the University of Mary Washington Office of Financial Aid at 540-654-2468 or finaid@umw.edu.