To be eligible for awards from many of the programs, students must have a demonstrated financial need. Scholastic qualifications are important, however, and consideration is given to those who have demonstrated academic talent and potential.
The Financial Aid staff determines who will receive aid and the amount of that aid. In arriving at such decisions, the cost of education and the total resources available to the student are considered.
As part of the application process, students are asked to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Virginia students who do not receive the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG) in the prior spring term must file a TAG application by July 31. These forms are available from the College Financial Aid Office. To be considered for financial aid, the student must have been admitted to the College and plan to enroll as a degree-seeking student.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used by the College to determine the student's financial need and serves as the initial application for financial aid. The FAFSA must be completed to receive any need-based funds from college, state, or federal sources.
The College, through endowment and annual giving by alumni, friends, and parents, provides funds for student aid in a variety of forms. When these funds are considered with those from the federal and state programs, financial aid to students may reach substantial proportions. However, it is necessary to qualify for aid within certain limits and regulations.
In order to be fair to all applicants for financial assistance, the Financial Aid Office has established regulations governing the administration of the available funds.
1. Financial aid applications will be considered from new students after they have been approved for admission.
2. An applicant must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid by March 1 to be considered for need-based aid.
3. Financial aid of various types is available to full-time, first-time degree-seeking students carrying a minimum of three units per term. Generally, half-time students who are candidates for their first baccalaureate degree may apply for some federal student financial aid programs but are not eligible for the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant Program, the Virginia College Scholarship Assistance Program, or most College grants and scholarships.
4. To renew financial awards, a recipient of aid should not be found in violation of College conduct policies and regulations and must maintain satisfactory academic progress according to guidelines available from the Financial Aid Office.
5. Financial assistance is normally based on enrollment for a full academic year.
6. Financial assistance is available to students regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, disability, or age.
Types of Financial Aid
Eligible students may qualify for one or more of the following:
Commonwealth Award
Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (FPLUS)
Federal Pell Grant
Federal Perkins Loan
Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan Program
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
(FSEOG)
Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan Program
Federal Work-Study Program (FWS)
Lutheran Student Aid Programs
Roanoke College Grant Roanoke College Scholarship
Roanoke Valley Area Award
Support from Independent Financial Organizations
Virginia College Scholarship Assistance Program*
Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant Program*
*Roanoke College students who are bona fide residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia for one year may be eligible for the two state financial aid programs authorized by the Virginia General Assembly. Detailed program descriptions and eligibility criteria are available on request from the Financial Aid Office.
Students who think they may be eligible for VA or GI benefits should contact the Veterans Administration.
The Roanoke College Scholars Program was designed to recognize and support students of superior academic and leadership ability. These students have the opportunity to compete for four different awards.
The William Beard Scholarship provides students with a full tuition, room, and board scholarship. The Bittle Scholarship provides full-tuition scholarships for entering freshmen. The Baughman Scholarship, which along with other college assistance will equal at least half tuition at Roanoke College, or $2,500 annually, whichever is greater. The Faculty Scholarship will provide a $1,000 scholarship, over and above any other college-based awards, to those candidates who are selected as finalists and are not selected for the Beard, Bittle, or Baughman Scholarships.
All awards are renewed annually based upon the student's grade point average.
The Roanoke College Student Loan Fund is composed of assets from two principal sources:
Terrill Bushnell Mr. Bushnell '14 bequeathed to Roanoke College two student loan funds in the name of his parents, Reverend Dr. John E. Bushnell and Annie Terrill Bushnell. The revolving scholarship funds are for the benefit of worthy junior and senior students who may be financially unable to bear the cost of continuing their education, with the student permitted to borrow from the fund in such amounts as may be decided by the Financial Aid Office.
Dr. Norborne F. Muir Dr. Muir, a longtime friend of Roanoke College, bequeathed a gift, the income from which is a revolving loan fund for the primary purpose of making loans to worthy students with an established financial need who are seeking degrees at the College. These funds are loaned only to students requiring financial assistance who might not otherwise be able to attend and earn a degree, with such determination to be made entirely at the discretion of the College.