Types of Financial Aid
Financial Aid for Credit Programs
Grants
Generally, grants do not have to be repaid. They are awarded according to financial need. After you apply for financial aid and file the FAFSA or VASA, PVCC's Financial Aid Office will automatically determine if you qualify for grants and will indicate this in your financial aid notification letter.
- Commonwealth Grant (COMA)
State-funded grant that provides assistance if you are enrolled in six or more credit hours per semester, a resident of Virginia and demonstrate financial need. Funds are limited. You are automatically considered when we receive your FAFSA or VASA application. The maximum amount is the cost of tuition and fees. No additional application is needed.
- Federal Pell Grant
Pell Grants are need-based federal student aid. Only undergraduate students who have not yet earned a bachelor's degree are eligible for this grant. The Pell Grant is awarded using your family's Student Aid Index (SAI) as determined by the information you have entered on your FAFSA or VASA application. Awards are also based on the number of credit hours you take. A minimum of 12 credit hours each semester is required to receive full eligibility, with prorated awards going to students with less than 12 credit hours.
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
If you are enrolled in at least six credit hours per semester and demonstrate extreme financial need, you may be eligible for this grant. Preference is given to Pell Grant recipients with the lowest Student Aid Index (SAI).
- G3:Get Skilled, Get a Job, Get Ahead
The G3 state aid program provides funding to Virginia residents, with a household income of less than or equal to 400% of the federal poverty limit, seeking a degree or certificate in a high-demand field.
Find more information here: www.pvcc.edu/financialaid/G3
- Part-time Tuition Assistance Program Grant (PTAP)
State-funded grant, which provides assistance if you enroll between one to eleven credit hours per semester, a resident of Virginia and demonstrate financial need. The maximum award is the cost of tuition, fees, and books. This grant is normally awarded during the repackaging process that takes place after the end of the add/drop period when aid is based on actual enrollment. Initial aid packaging is based on projected full-time (12+ credit hours) enrollment.
- Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP)
VGAP awards cover up to tuition, fees, and books available to undergraduate Virginia residents who graduated from high school with at least a 2.5 Grade Point Average (GPA). To be considered, provide a copy of your recent high school transcript to the financial aid office.
VGAP also has specific renewal requirements:
- Completion of a FAFSA or VASA application and have financial need
- Continued enrollment in a program leading to a degree or certificate
- Continued domiciliary residency in Virginia
- Academic achievement of at least 2.0 cumulative GPA
- Maintain full-time status (at least 12 credit hours) each semester of the academic year
- Maintain continuous enrollment (not counting summer sessions)
- Remain a dependent student according to current federal regulations.
Scholarships
- PVCC Promise
PVCC4U covers up to the cost of tuition and fees to Virginia residents with a household income of $100,000 or less.
Find more information here: www.pvcc.edu/pvcc4u100
- PVCC Foundation Scholarships
The PVCC Educational Foundation offers over 100 scholarships each year. Scholarships come from a variety of sources, and unlike loans, do not have to be repaid.
Effective December 1, 2020, there is no separate scholarship application. PVCC offers a one-step financial aid and scholarship assistance process. To be considered for any scholarship, financial aid or grants, you must complete a FAFSA or VASA application. Scholarships, along with financial aid and grants, will be awarded through the financial aid office to meet each student's tuition, fees and book needs.
- Outside Scholarships
We encourage you to research and apply for other scholarships that pertain to your goals and chosen field of study. If a website requests a fee of any kind to process a scholarship application, the site may not be legitimate and should be avoided. https://www.pvcc.edu/scholarships
Other Types of Aid
In addition to grants and scholarships, completing the FAFSA or VASA application allows us to offer Work-Study, student, and parent loans.
- Work Study
The Federal Work Study Program allows students to work part-time at PVCC and nonprofit organizations while attending college.
Learn more about the Work Study program here: www.pvcc.edu/work-study
- Federal Student Loans
PVCC participates in the Federal Direct Student Loan Program. Federal student loans may be a way to address a shortfall between the funds that you have and the funds that you will need.
Learn more about the Federal Student Loan Program here: www.pvcc.edu/pay-for-pvcc/financial-aid/applying-loans
Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA)
Students ineligible to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) may now be eligible to complete the Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) application. The VASA aims to increase access and opportunity by extending eligibility to state-based aid to those ineligible for federal student aid. Examples of students who are ineligible for the FAFSA, but may qualify for the VASA are:
- Nonimmigrants
- Undocumented
- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
Financial Aid for Non-Credit Programs
Non-credit and workforce training classes are offered through the Workforce Services division: www.pvcc.edu/workforce
- FastForward
FastForward is a program helping Virginians get the high-demand jobs they want and the salaries they need. FastForward programs are short-term training courses offered through Virginia’s Community Colleges to help you fast-track your career.
Learn more about the FastForward program here: www.pvcc.edu/workforce/funding
- Financial Assistance for Noncredit Training that leads to Industry Credentials (FANTIC)
Financial Assistance for Noncredit Training that leads to Industry Credentials (FANTIC) provides funding for students who meet the eligibility requirements and are not eligible for other financial assistance. This financial assistance will pay for the first one-third of FastForward programs for qualified students.
Learn more about FANTIC here: www.pvcc.edu/fantic_2
- VA Ready
VA Ready provides registered VA Ready Scholars a $1,000 Credential Achievement Award upon obtaining the final credential in selected training programs in the following sectors: computer and cyber, healthcare and manufacturing/skilled trades.
Learn more about VA Ready here: www.pvcc.edu/virginia-ready
Senior Citizen Tuition and Fee Waivers
You are entitled to a waiver of tuition for credit or noncredit classes at PVCC if you meet the following criteria:
- Age 60 or older
- Have been a legal Virginia resident for at least one year
- If your income for the past taxable year did not exceed $23,850 as indicated on your state income tax form (applicable only for students taking a class on a graded basis)
This waiver does not cover expenses for instructional materials, including books and lab fees and other college costs. More information is available here: www.pvcc.edu/senior-citizens