How to Fund Graduate School
Paying for graduate school can seem daunting and at times overwhelming. We are therefore committed at the University of Virginia to help you navigate the process of funding a graduate education. Applying for financial aid as a graduate student is different from applying for aid as an undergraduate student. We encourage applicants to investigate a number of resources to assist in meeting the cost of attending graduate school.
Student Financial Services
The Office of Student Financial Services offers a wide range of services to help students meet financial obligations, including federal financial aid programs; need-based, private, and emergency loans; state financial aid programs; work study; and resources for scholarships and grants.
To apply for financial aid through the University, prospective graduate students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA) and the University Graduate Financial Aid Application. Entering and transfer students should not wait until notification of their admission decision to apply for financial aid.
Please note: Those who apply to the M.S. in Commerce Program by the Feb. 15 deadline and also submit all required materials to the University of Virginia's Office of Student Financial Services will receive by early April an estimate of their financial aid package to be awarded to them for the 2012-2013 academic year. Please note this is an estimate, as the University's Board of Visitors will not set tuition for the following year until June 2013. For those who submit their financial aid materials after Feb. 15, packages will not be processed or communicated until the summer.
Tuition Payment Plan
For a fee of $35 per semester, the University of Virginia offers an interest-free installment payment plan through QuikPay@UVA. Any excess credits are not refunded until the end of each semester.
Departmental Scholarship
McIntire has a limited number of departmental scholarships available. To apply for a need- or merit-based scholarship, complete the departmental scholarship form as part of the online application. Scholarship applications are reviewed separately from the admissions process and are communicated after the March 1, 2013, deadline. Roughly 20% of the current class received a departmental scholarship, with awards ranging from $5,000 to $20,000.
Private Loan Program
Many private lending institutions offer credit-based loan programs to independent students with non-adverse credit history and/or with a credit-worthy cosigner. Students should carefully consider the terms, interest rates, and loan and origination fees on all such loans before making a decision.