Globalist

Okay, this topic seems to come up a lot, so here's some info for those interested.

The University of Virginia just instituted the most ambitious financial aid program among all public schools called Access UVA, which will meet 100% of need. If you're a poor student (in-state or out-of-state), you will not have to take out any loans. Any amount that you can't afford will be covered by grants. If you're a middle-class/rich student, your loans will be capped at around $15,000 for all 4 years. Any amount of need above that will be covered with grants instead of loans, and that includes out-of-state students as well. Students will not be forced into work-study programs, because UVa realizes that students should be studying rather than worrying about earning enough money to afford college. Lastly, UVa will offer free one-on-one counseling on college financing & debt management.

http://www.virginia.edu/accessuva/

As for merit scholarships, UVa has the Jefferson Scholarship program, which offers a full-ride to UVa, plus summer programs in Europe, etc.

http://www.jeffersonscholars.org/default.asp

bluejay

Globalist, I posted a question about this just before the format was switched. This UVA Access seems too good to be true. So if I'm understanding it correctly, it's no more than $15,000 in loans TOTAL after 4 years? Since the UVA is a state school do they use the FASA numbers to calculate need?

Globalist

Yes, your total loans for all 4 years (as a middle-class/rich student) will be capped at the cost of attending UVa for one year as an in-state student, which is around $15,000. So, even as an out-of-state student, where it costs roughly $31,000/year to attend UVa, you will not incur loans above $15,000. Any need above that will be covered w/ grants. Again, if you're a poor student, you will not have any loans at all even if you're an out-of-state student. All need will be covered w/ grants.

Yes, they use FAFSA.

amdandrew

What??? Out of staters should have to pay in full to subsidize those of us who are proud residents of the Commonwealth!

Globalist

To quote Jefferson, "We wish to establish...a University on a plan so broad and liberal and modern, as to be worth patronizing with the public support, and be a temptation to the youth of other States to come and drink of the cup of knowledge and fraternize with us."

In an effort to continue championing Thomas Jefferson's dream of making UVa not only a university for Virginia but for the entire nation, President Casteen & the Board of Visitors want to ensure that The University of Virginia will not be cost-prohibitive for any admitted student, Virginian or non-Virginian. As we all know, the cost of higher education across the country seems to be spiraling out of control, both private & public, and for both in-state & out-of-state students.

The money UVa is using to cover its students' needs is coming out of its endowment & foundations. (Fortunately, UVa is wealthy enough to do this.) Considering that the Commonwealth of Virginia is only providing a shameful 8% of UVa's operating budget, UVa has had to take its future into its own hands. Luckily, UVa alums are loyal, successful, and generous. In fact, money from alumni donations and UVa's endowment exceeds the money dolled out by the state every year. Truth be told, the funding that Virginia gives UVa is nowhere close to what it provided 15 years ago. That's why UVa has embarked on the largest college capital campaign to date - $3 billion.

I think it's honorable that UVa is committed to offering its students an excellent and affordable education eventhough the state of Virginia is unwilling to pay for it.

amdandrew

Sorry...I was kidding. Is someone a little too serious?

Globalist

LOL!

...it wasn't really directed at you. Just venting at Virginia's state government in general. All of VA's state schools have about had it w/ the state itself. That's why UVa, William & Mary, and Virginia Tech are trying to acquire Charter School status, so they can have more control over their destinies.

I guess I'm too close to the process...

Globalist

Here are UVa & national scholarships that you can apply for while at The University of Virginia.

http://artsandsciences.virginia.edu/...holarships.php

plmok

Why would any out of stater pay in full then? Why not just take out 15,000 in loans?

Globalist

Financial Aid is based on financial need. If your parents are multi-millionaires and can afford to pay for UVa, they wouldn't need a loan.

Globalist

I just got finished perusing the Financial Aid section of this website. It's startling to see how many people are struggling to find money to pay for college. So, it inspired me to find this article that I remembered reading several years ago.

It seems that getting scholarships is a numbers game. The more you apply for, the more likely you'll get money. According to this article, one student applied for 45 scholarships and got over $20,250 from 13 sources.

http://www.cavalierdaily.com/CVArtic...D=1129&pid=452

So, my advice is to research what scholarships are out there. Here are a couple of books that you should check out. You can find them on www.Amazon.com, and I'm sure you'll be able to find them at your local Barnes & Noble or Borders.

"How to Go to College for Free" by Ben Kaplan

"The Scholarship Scouting Report: An Insider's Guide to America's Best Scholarships" by Ben Kaplan

"The Scholarship Book: The Complete Guide to Private-Sector Scholarships, Fellowships, Grants, and Loans for Undergraduates (Scholarship Book)" by Daniel J. Cassidy

"Scholarship Handbook 2005: All New 8th Edition" by Joseph A. Russo

Whatever college y'all end up attending, I hope this helps.

Globalist

Here's a list of African-American scholarships awarded by the UVa Alumni Association.

http://www.uvaalumniassociation.com/ridley/about.asp

I think the best ones are the Jerome B. Holland Scholarship, Richmond/Ridley Endowed Scholarship, and the New York/Ridley Endowed Scholarship.

uva james

that sucks.

gotta love being european.

bluejay

Globalist,
Another question about the Access UVA program. If they use the numbers from the FASA form then why do have an extra financial form in the application? It seems like a mini Profile.

Thanks

Globalist

Hmmm...I don't know why. You should call the number on the website. They'll be able to answer it for you. If I happen to talk to admissions people in the near future, I'll ask.