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 Direct Loan Program (DL). 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. Adherence 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). Pell is generally only available for the regular academic year (Fall and Spring semesters). Summer Pell is available based on the Federal determination of funding. If you are eligible it will be included in you Summer Award package (a Summer Aid Application is necessary for you award to be created).
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.
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 priority filing deadline
- In-state resident
- Dependent student
- Graduated from a Virginia high school with a high school GPA of 2.5
- Has need
- 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 Award - The Commonwealth Award is a state-funded grant that provides assistance to undergraduate and graduate students that are Virginia residents. Recipients must enroll for a minimum of 6 credit hours per semester and meet our FAFSA priority filing deadline. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress. Students must have financial need. The Commonwealth Award for undergraduates is awarded by The Office of Student Financial Aid. The Commonwealth Award for graduate students is administered by the individual departments of study.
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. Students must have financial need to be eligible for these funds.
