Eligibility & Criteria
Will I Receive The Same Financial Aid Each Year?
Financial aid is awarded each year based on the criteria below.
In addition to these specific criteria, students must maintain satisfactory academic progress to remain eligible for all forms of financial aid.
Scholarships offered in your admissions acceptance letter are renewable. Students may receive the scholarship for up to four years (eight semesters) if they successfully stay on track to graduate in four years (an average of 30 credit hours per academic year) and maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
It will automatically renew each academic year, if you:
- Maintain good academic standing with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0
- Complete at least 30 credit hours each academic year (fall, spring, and summer) at Longwood
Scholarships awarded by the Honors College are renewable. The Honors College evaluates students annually and renews scholarships based on the student’s overall academic performance.
FEDERAL PELL GRANTS, SUPPLEMENTAL GRANTS AND WORK-STUDY
These awards are need-based. Your eligibility is determined each year based on the information from your FAFSA. Federal Pell Grant amounts are also based on enrollment level and are subject to lifetime limits.
The amount of loan you are eligible for each year is based on your grade level. Subsidized loans are need-based, so eligibility is determined each year based on the information from your FAFSA. Student loans are subject to annual and lifetime limits. For more information, visit studentaid.ed.gov
The VGAP Grant is a need-based grant awarded to Virginia residents. Eligibility is determined each year based on the information from your FAFSA. In addition to demonstrated financial need, students must maintain continuous full-time enrollment (minimum 12 credits per semester), maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA and advance a grade level each year. Students may receive a VGAP Grant for one year per grade level. To qualify for this state aid, male students that are required to register for selective service must have done so.
The VA Commonwealth Grant is a need-based grant offered to Virginia residents. Eligibility is determined each year based on the information from your FAFSA. In addition to demonstrated financial need, students must maintain at least half-time enrollment (minimum 6 credits per semester). Awards will be reduced for students taking fewer than 12 credits. To qualify for this state aid, male students that are required to register for selective service must have done so.
OUT- OF- STATE TUITION GRANT
Students awarded the out of state tuition grant must maintain satisfactory academic progress, live in Longwood managed housing and continue to classify as an out-of-state student.
STUDENT-ATHLETES
The following condition applies to the offer of institutional non-athletics financial aid to a prospective/committed student-athlete. If the student-athlete is offered institutional financial aid unrelated to athletics that causes the student-athlete to go over the equivalency written on his or her signed award of athletically related financial aid, the student-athlete will no longer be eligible for the institutional financial aid offer per NCAA guidelines.
Understanding Your Financial Aid
When Your Aid May Change
Your financial aid offer is not fixed—it may change under certain circumstances:
- Your FAFSA is updated or changes during verification.
- You take fewer than 12 credits (less than full-time enrollment).
- Your residency status changes.
- You change your housing plans.
- You receive additional financial aid not included in this offer.
Outside Scholarships
Congratulations if you’ve received scholarships from organizations outside of Longwood!
To make sure these awards are counted correctly, please send copies of all scholarship award letters to the Office of Financial Aid.
FAFSA: Apply Every Year
Remember, you must complete a FAFSA every year.
- The new FAFSA opens October 1 for the following academic year.
- Longwood’s priority filing deadline is March 1.
Smart Borrowing Tips
- Budget carefully.
- Borrow only what you truly need.
- Keep in mind: it’s easy to spend now, but student loan repayment adds up later.
- Live like a college student now—so you don’t have to later.
Course Withdrawals and Your Aid
Withdrawing from courses can significantly affect your financial aid eligibility. Federal rules require us to calculate how much Title IV financial aid you’ve earned up to your withdrawal date.
Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4)
- If you received more aid than you earned, you may have to repay part of those funds.
- This process may result in a balance owed to the university.
Before withdrawing from any course, we strongly encourage you to contact the Office of Financial Aid to learn how your decision could affect your aid and your student account.