Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form used by students to apply for financial assistance for post-secondary (after High School) education. It is administered by the U.S. Department of Education and is a crucial step in accessing various federal and state financial aid programs, including grants, work-study opportunities, and student loans. The FAFSA collects information about the student's and their family's financial situation to determine eligibility for need-based financial aid. Completing the FAFSA is often a requirement for receiving financial aid from colleges and universities as well.

The Majority of Universities and Community Colleges require the FAFSA to be completed for a student to be considered for financial aid.  The schools that do not require the FAFSA utilize the CSS Profile – more information is listed below. 

CSS Profile

The CSS Profile, short for the College Scholarship Service Profile, is a financial aid application used by some colleges and universities in the United States to assess a student's eligibility for non-federal financial aid, including institutional grants and scholarships. Unlike the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the CSS Profile is administered by the College Board, a non-profit organization. The CSS Profile delves into more detailed financial information than the FAFSA, considering factors such as home equity and medical expenses. It is typically required by private colleges and some public institutions to determine a student's financial need and award institution-specific aid. Students applying for financial aid from participating institutions usually need to complete both the FAFSA and the CSS Profile.

Virginia Schools That Require CSS Profile

• Christendom College
• College of William and Mary
• Patrick Henry College (NOT Patrick and Henry Community College/ P&HCC)
• University of Richmond
• University of Virginia
• University of Virginia: School of Law
• Virginia Commonwealth University: School of Medicine
• Washington and Lee University

For more participating institutions and programs across the United States, check this link: https://profile.collegeboard.org/profile/ppi/participatingInstitutions.aspx

Virginia Alternative State Aid Application (VASA)

The Virginia Alternative State Aid Application, or VASA is for “Virginians who are nonimmigrants, undocumented, have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status or are otherwise ineligible to file the FAFSA and would like to be considered for state financial aid.  The VASA application provides access only to Virginia state financial aid.” – State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV)

More information can be found here: https://www.schev.edu/financial-aid/financial-aid/federal-state-financial-aid/vasa