On December 8, 2023, President Jim Ryan announced a significant expansion of the University’s financial aid program to benefit more Virginia families. We have prepared an FAQ to address common questions associated with the AccessUVA expansion.
The University will provide the amount of full on-Grounds tuition as well as comprehensive, University, and school fees for up to eight semesters for UVA undergraduate students:
- who are eligible for in-state tuition privileges
- who are eligible to apply for federal and institutional financial aid
- who have total family income less than $100,000 and have other assets less than $100,000
- who are attempting their first bachelor’s degree (NO second degree, Graduate students, Post Bac Pre Med, or certificate programs)
The University will provide the amount of full on-Grounds tuition as well as comprehensive, University, and school fees, housing, and food for up to eight semesters for UVA undergraduate students:
- who are eligible for in-state tuition
- who are eligible to apply for federal and institutional financial aid
- who have total family income less than $50,000 and have other assets less than $100,000
- who are attempting their first bachelor’s degree (NO second degree, Graduate students, Post Bac Pre Med, or certificate programs)
The University will provide a $2000 Cornerstone Need-based grant for up to eight semesters for UVA undergraduate students:
- who are eligible for in-state tuition privileges
- who are eligible to apply for federal and institutional financial aid
- who have not received at least $2000 in Need-based grants
- who are enrolled full-time
- who have total family income less than $150,000 and have other assets less than $150,000
- who are attempting their first bachelor’s degree (NO second degree, Graduate students, Post Bac Pre Med, or certificate programs)
Tuition and fees are determined by the Board of Visitors. Tuition and Fees and are based on the student’s school of enrollment and year in school. Fees are typically comprised of the comprehensive fee, the University Activity fee, and the student’s school fee. The Housing amount is based on a weighted average of housing costs at the University for the specific offer year; depending on where a student chooses to live, their actual costs may be greater or less than the Housing amount listed on the Cost of Attendance webpage. The Food amount is based on the All Access & Annual Plan from UVA Dining, whether or not the student is taking a meal plan for the year. All specific amounts are available in the student’s Cost of Attendance, or in the student’s financial aid information in SIS.
The University will consider all sources of funding available to the student when determining eligibility. For example, if you have a Federal Pell Grant, a Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program Grant, a scholarship from the University, etc. these resources will be totaled and applied toward the portion of your grant that would meet the new commitment to tuition and fees (or tuition, fees, housing, and food) for in-state undergraduate students. If there is a gap, then the University will cover the gap as part of the AccessUVA program.
You must complete the Free Application of Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS Profile. You must meet all eligibility requirements for need-based financial aid including satisfactory academic progress for returning students.
Consideration for eligibility is available for eight semesters of enrollment. If you attend beyond this time period, you will be considered for other types of aid at the University but not these new commitments for families with incomes less than $100,000 and $50,000.
If you are previously considered out-of-state for tuition purposes and are later in your career determined to be eligible for in-state tuition privileges, we will count your semesters when you were out-of-state as part of your eight semesters.
Income is determined by reviewing information supplied by the parents on the FAFSA and CSS Profile in addition to income tax forms and other documents requested by Student Financial Services. All sources of taxable and untaxable income from the parents will be considered. Assets will be determined by total net worth including cash, savings/checking, investments, real estate and business net worth, but not the primary home or retirement accounts.
Yes. Eligibility is determined for each individual year, and can change depending on your family’s financial circumstances. For instance, if your income is too high to qualify in Year Two but is in the eligible range in Year Three, then you would be ineligible for Year Two but eligible for Year Three. It’s extremely important to note that if you become ineligible for the full cost of tuition and fees (or tuition, fees, housing, and food), you will be still considered for all other types of aid at the University, including state and institutional grants.
Also, you must apply by the March 1st deadline each year to be eligible. This piece is really important, and we'll send out reminders to all undergraduate students, starting in late November or early December, reminding you to complete your financial aid application by March 1st.
Student Financial Services determines the eligibility of a student and the amount the student qualifies for under the changes to AccessUVA. If there is a gap and the student is eligible for the additional funds, it will be reflected as either “AccessUVA 3” or “AccessUVA 4” on the offer letter. If there isn’t a gap, then the student is already receiving an amount equal to or greater than the amount of the new commitment.
Yes. Student Financial Services will determine a student’s initial offer based on information known at the time of offering. If a student’s status changes or if additional resources, such as outside scholarships, are offered at any time, Student Financial Services will revisit the initial determination of eligibility and make a new evaluation.
Any benefit received that is specifically designated for tuition, fees, housing, or food will reduce the University’s commitment to the full on-Grounds tuition, fees, housing, and food total.
If your status for tuition purposes changes from in-state to out-of-state, you may no longer be eligible for the full amount of tuition and fees. In such cases, because you will be charged out-of-state tuition, which is substantially higher than in-state tuition, SFS will still review your application to determine your eligibility under the AccessUVA program and will meet that full eligibility.
Yes. As long as you are enrolled in at least 6 hours for fall and spring terms, you will be eligible.
Your eligibility will be reviewed each academic year in which you enroll. If you take a semester or a year away, your eligibility will be determined again upon your return to the University. Any semester in which you enjoyed the benefits of these changes but withdrew before the semester was completed will count towards your 8 semesters of benefits.
Yes, fall or spring semester study abroad counts toward the 8 semester limit for these benefits. You will complete a full semester of academic work, which counts toward fulfilment of degree requirements. Summer Session and January Term study abroad do not count against the limit.
If you study abroad, the AccessUVA commitment to cover full on-Grounds tuition, fees, housing, and food does not apply during your semester abroad. However, your financial aid eligibility will still be evaluated and determined according to the standard AccessUVA policies. See our main study abroad page for financial aid examples for students studying abroad.