Grants

The College of William & Mary administers many forms of financial aid, including Federal and State Grants, Federal Work-Study (FWS), and loans from the Federal Family Educational Loan Program (FFELP). Upon receipt of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), we will put together a personal aid package based on your eligibility.  Additional documents may be required.  Adherance to deadlines will guarantee that you receive full consideration for grant aid; if you miss a deadline, you will likely not be awarded full grant aid.

Federal Grants

Pell Grant - Entitlements provided directly by the federal government. They are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a first bachelor’s degree. The Pell Grant is need-based and is awarded using the family’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as determined by the FAFSA. The amount awarded is also based on the number of credits the student is taking (full-time vs. part-time).

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) - Federal funds provided by the school to students with exceptional need. First consideration is to students who are eligible for a Pell Grant.  SEOG funds replace previously awarded state or college grant funds.

Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) - Awarded only to students who are Pell-eligible and who are freshmen or sophomores .  Students must have completed a rigorous high school program, as determined by the federal government, and must be full-time matriculated students.  All Pell-eligible freshmen and sophomores are automatically considered for the ACG.  ACG funds replace previously awarded state or college grant funds.  Maximum awards are $750 for freshmen and $1500 for sophomores per academic year.

National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant - Awarded only to students who are Pell-eligible and who are 3rd, 4th, or 5th years .  Students must have declared an appropriate major, as determined by the federal government, and must be full-time matriculated students.  All Pell-eligible 3rd, 4th, and 5th years are automatically considered for the SMART Grant.  SMART Grant funds replace previously awarded state or college grant funds.  The maxiumum award is $4000 per academic year.

State Grants

Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP) - VGAP is a state-funded grant that provides assistance to undergraduate Virginia residents.

VGAP Requirements:

• Full-time enrollment
• Meets our FAFSA prority filing deadline
• In-state resident
• Dependent student
• Graduated from a Virginia high school with a high school GPA of 2.5
• Has need
• VGAP Awarding Information Amount is determined each year based on fund availability
• May be renewed up to three additional years by meeting the following criteria:
  
  •  In-state residency
  • 2.0 minimum GPA
  • Financial need
  • Full time continuous enrollment (excluding summer terms)
  • Dependent student
  • Must maintain satisfactory academic progress
  • Student must be enrolled full time

Virginia Commonwealth Grant - The Commonwealth Grant is a state-funded grant that provides assistance to undergraduate Virginia residents. Recipients must enroll for a minimum of 6 credit hours per semester and meet our FAFSA prority filing deadline. Students who have received a first bachelor's degree are NOT eligible to receive a Commonwealth grant. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Virginia College Scholarship Assistance Program (CSAP) - CSAP is awarded to Virginia residents who have exceptional financial need. Recipients must enroll for a minimum of 6 credit hours per semester and meet our FAFSA prority filing deadline. Students who have received a first bachelor's degree are NOT eligible to receive a Commonwealth grant. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Institutional Grants

W&M offers grant assistance from approximately 300 different funds that are part of the institution's endowment, unrestricted fund, and gift accounts. Because there are so many different funds, there is frequently a change from your initial award letter. Your total amount of grant award will remain the same.

Gateway William and Mary

A new educational gateway is open for Virginia students. Gateway William & Mary, an innovative financial aid program, puts a quality education within the reach of all Virginians — regardless of their ability to pay.

Designed for women and men whose academic promise exceeds their economic means, the program provides a combination of institutional, state, and federal grants for low- and middle-income students who have the desire to attend a world-class university without incurring debt.

Gateway starts where ordinary financial aid programs end. Participants will not have to take out need-based student loans. Instead they can graduate debt-free to move on immediately to graduate school, professional education or a fulfilling career. Gateway recipients may be given the option to take out Unsubsidized Stafford Loans to help defray the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC), which cannot be covered by grant or other need-based funds.

Most of your questions about the Gateway Program can be answered by reading our FAQ.