Applying for Financial Aid

Need-Based Application Requirements

• Students must be accepted by admissions to complete the application.
• Domestic students must complete a FAFSA before requesting need-based aid.
• Please respond to your financial aid award notification email to request consideration for need-based aid.
• International students should contact Financial Aid for more information on applying for need-based aid.

Federal Work Study

• VLGS policy does not allow first-year JD students to do work study for their first two semesters per ABA recommendations. Students wishing to apply for Federal Work Study each year should do so no later than March 1, as funding and positions are limited. Students who do not complete a FAFSA before the priority deadline cannot be guaranteed work-study funds if eligible.

Direct Loan Programs

Students enrolled prior to June 30, 2026:

• All students who are eligible for federal student aid and have completed a FAFSA will qualify for a Direct Unsubsidized Student Loan.
  • Students can take out up to $10,250 each semester (cap is $20,500 per borrower academic year).
  • The unsubsidized student loan has a fixed interest rate of 7.94% and a loan origination fee of 1.057%.
    
• Students needing more than the $10,250 per semester maximum can borrow a Graduate PLUS loan up to the Cost of Attendance for cost of living expenses.
  • The Grad PLUS loan has an interest rate of 8.94%* and a loan origination fee of 4.228%.
  • The Grad PLUS loan requires that you do not have adverse credit.
  • If denied, you have the option of obtaining an endorser to co-sign the loan for you.

*These rates are effective as of July 1, 2025, and set through June 30, 2026.

Students enrolled after July 1, 2026:

• JD students: Unsubsidized loans are available up to $25,000/semester with a lifetime cap of $200,000.
  • For Online Hybrid JD students, it is advised to take no more than $20,000 per semester to retain eligibility for the entirety of the program.
• Online master’s students: Unsubsidized loans are available up to $5,125 per term, with a lifetime cap of $100,000.
• Residential master’s students: Unsubsidized loans are available up to $6,833 per semester ($20,500/academic year) with a lifetime cap of $100,000.

Students who require additional funding after federal loans and any scholarships are applied have options available through private educational loans. These loans are credit based and may require co-signers.

Admitted Student Financial Aid Process

• You will not have access to the financial aid portal until you have received your Award Notification Email
• We begin awarding financial aid for the upcoming year by mid-February
• You may submit your FAFSA at studentaid.gov/

Financial Aid Deadlines

• Priority filing deadline – April 1
• Deadline to apply for financial aid – August 15