Financial Information

The University Bursar's Office provides statements to students and receives and posts payments to the students' accounts. If a student wants financial information released to parents or others, he or she must provide written authorization to the Bursar's Office, which will allow us to release financial information. The Student Information Release Form can be downloaded from our website (http://www.bursar.vt.edu/) and sent to us either by fax or mail to authorize the release of information.

Detailed information regarding tuition and fees, payment deadlines, Customer Service Window hours, the Budget Tuition Plan, and much more can be obtained by viewing the website at http://www.bursar.vt.edu/.

Summer School Fees

Information on summer school tuition and fees as well as costs for room and board can be obtained on the bursar's website (http://www.bursar.vt.edu/).

Auditing

Students are assessed the same rate for tuition and fees for auditing courses as for courses taken for credit.

Late Payment Fee

A $50 late payment fee will be charged to students whose payments are received after the statement due date.

Reinstatement Fee

A $75.00 fee is charged to students whose registrations are cancelled due to non-payment of fees, but are given permission by their dean to add classes after the deadline. The $75 reinstatement fee is in addition to the $50 late payment fee.

Billing Address

Billing statements are sent to one of the addresses provided by the student on HOKIE SPA. If you wish to have all statements from the Office of the University Bursar sent to a billing address, please provide this address on the billing address segment of HOKIE SPA. If you choose this option, all statements will be sent to this address and other addresses listed will not be used in mailing statements to you.

If no billing address is provided by the student on HOKIE SPA, statements are sent to the mailing address (MA) except for the July and December statements. These statements include tuition and fee charges for the fall and spring semesters, and since the majority of students are not in Blacksburg at the time July and December statements are mailed, the permanent address (PR) is used for mailing statements for these two months.

In summary, the address hierarchy used for mailing monthly account receivable statements is BI (billing address), MA (mailing or local address), or PR (permanent address) for each month except July and December. For these two months the hierarchy is BI (billing address), PR (permanent address), or MA (mailing address).

Payment Information

Statements are prepared and sent out on the 15 of each month (If the 15 of the month occurs on a weekend, statements are processed on the Friday before the 15). Payments for monthly statements are due on the 10 of the following month. (If the 10 of the month occurs on a weekend, payments will be due the following Monday.)

Billing statements for fall semester charges will be processed in July with an August 11 due date. However, should you add classes, a meal plan, or a room after the July statement is processed, you will be billed in August with a September due date for these additional charges.

Billing statements for spring semester charges will be processed in December with a January 12 due date.

Classes are dropped for non-payment of past due billed charges the second Friday after classes begin for fall and spring semesters.

Late fees will be charged to your account based upon the due date on the statement. For example, you have received a statement with an amount due of $3,000 with a due date of January 12. If your payment is received on January 13, a $50 late fee will be charged to your account.

A monthly finance charge of 1-1/2 percent per month will be assessed on unpaid prior term charges.

Payment Directions

Payment should be made in cash or by check/money order in the exact amount due by the date shown on the statement. Checks/money orders should be made payable to "Treasurer of Virginia Tech."

Payments should be mailed to our payment address: Virginia Tech, P.O. Box 7620, Merrifield, VA 22116-7620. Payments should be sent with the payment stub from your statement. Payments received without a stub will be delayed. Do not use the payment address for certified or express mail, scholarship checks, or any other correspondence; those items should be sent to our office address: Virginia Tech Office of the University Bursar, 150 Student Services Building, Blacksburg, VA, 24061

Budget Tuition Plan

Virginia Tech's Budget Tuition Plan (BTP) offers a convenient method for planning and budgeting tuition, fees, room, and board. The BTP can cover all or part of the fall and/or spring semester's charges. This plan provides the opportunity for the student or parent(s) to divide the cost of education into four monthly direct debits to the checking account of your choice, instead of paying one lump sum by tuition payment deadline each semester. The only cost for this service is a $45 non-refundable fee that is due with your application. Contact the Office of the University Bursar for additional information, call at 540/231-9316, e-mail at bthelp@vt.edu, or visit our website at http://www.bursar.vt.edu/.

Refund Policy

If the student has provided the Bursar with bank information for the purpose of direct deposit, refunds will be paid by direct deposit. If not, refunds will be paid by check and held at the cashier's window for pick-up by the student on Tuesday's and Thursday's only. Refunds will be made to the student under the following rules:

Tuition Refunds

The refund schedules below list the possible student refund. Depending on your course load, you may or may not be entitled to a refund. If you are planning to withdraw, resign, or reduce your course load, please contact the Bursar's office at 540/231-6277 for refund information. If you are receiving financial aid, please contact your financial aid counselor prior to resigning or reducing your course load below full-time status.

Fall and Spring Semesters

Tuition Refund Table for Reduced Course Loads
Semester Class Day	Student Refund
One through five	100% of Tuition and Fees
Six through eight	90% of Tuition ONLY
Nine through nineteen	50% of Tuition ONLY
Twenty through thirty-seven	25% of Tuition ONLY
After day thirty-seven	0%
Tuition Refund Table for Withdrawals & Resignations
Semester Class Day	Student Refund
One	100% of Tuition and Fees
Two through eight	90% of Tuition ONLY
Nine through nineteen	50% of Tuition ONLY
Twenty through thirty-seven	25% of Tuition ONLY
After day thirty-seven	0%

• The comprehensive fee, technology fee, and capital fee are nonrefundable and no reduction will be made after the beginning of classes for resignations.
• All refunds will be calculated from the official date of resignation, which may not necessarily be the last day of class attendance.
• No refund will be granted for a resignation that occurred in a previous fiscal year.

Summer Terms

Tuition Refund Table for Reduced Course Loads
Semester Class Day	Student Refund
One through three	100% of Tuition and Fees
Four through eight	50% of Tuition ONLY
Nine through fifteen	25% of Tuition ONLY
After day fifteen	0%
Tuition Refund Table for Withdrawals & Resignations
Semester Class Day	Student Refund
One	100% of Tuition and Fees
Two through three	90% of Tuition ONLY
Four through eight	50% of Tuition ONLY
Nine through fifteen	25% of Tuition ONLY
After day fifteen	0%

• The comprehensive fee, technology fee, and capital fee are nonrefundable and no reduction will be made after the beginning of classes for resignations.
• All refunds will be calculated from the official date of resignation, which may not necessarily be the last day of class attendance.
• No refund will be granted for a resignation that occurred in a previous fiscal year.

Medical Resignations

• A student withdrawing for medical reasons will be charged a daily tuition rate for each day enrolled.
• Withdrawal for medical reasons must be accompanied by a statement from the Student Health Services at Virginia Tech indicating the student is unable to continue in school due to medical reasons.

Room and Board Refunds

Students holding a residence hall contract or a board plan who leave the university during the first week of class will forfeit $100 of their residence hall fee and $100 of their board fee. Thereafter, the semester room and board charge, less $100, will be apportioned over the first six weeks of the semester. The student will be charged a weekly rate for each week enrolled, plus $100. A student who withdraws after the beginning of the seventh week of the semester will be charged the full room and board rate.

Students who purchase a declining balance meal plan will be charged a forfeiture fee of $100 during the first week. Beginning in week two and throughout the remainder of the semester, students will forfeit the base cost and will be refunded any unused dollars in the declining balance account.

Unused cash Dining Dollar deposits will be refunded in total for meal plan holders. Students who have only Dining Dollar accounts and not a meal plan will receive the balance of all cash deposits minus $15. Questions concerning adjustments to room charges should be directed to Residential and Dining Programs at 540/231-6201. Questions concerning adjustments to meal plan charges should be directed to the Hokie Passport Office at 540/231-5121.

Collection of Past Due Receivables for Students

Any amount owed to the university including, but not limited to, tuition, fees, room, board, loans, notes receivable, and amounts due for goods and services provided is considered a receivable to the university. A receivable becomes past due if payment is not received by the payment due date. At 90 days past due, the receivable becomes delinquent.

For currently enrolled students, the primary collection tool is the placement of a "HOLD" by the Office of the University Bursar on a student's record. This "HOLD" restricts certain student activities, such as the ability to add or drop classes, receive grade transcripts, and to register for future academic terms. Once established, the "HOLD" remains in place until the debt is paid in full. Once a student is no longer enrolled, the collection procedures utilized for other "non-student" receivables are implemented.

Individuals who do not pay all fees and charges owed are responsible, in the event of their default or the return of a check for payment of said fees and charges, to pay a penalty fee, to pay interest at the highest rate allowed by law, and for all reasonable administrative costs, collections costs, and attorney's fees incurred in the collection of funds due the university. Addresses must be kept current on HOKIE SPA in order for the university to send statements in a timely manner. Students, faculty and staff can change their address on the HOKIE SPA. Non-receipt of statements is not a valid defense for non-payment; it is the responsibility of the individual who has incurred the debt to see that the debt is discharged.

For non-students, a dunning message is included on each month's statement alerting the customer to the next collection steps that will be taken. If payment is not forthcoming within the stated period, the account and all pertinent information are forwarded to an outside collection agency or the State Attorney General's Office, as appropriate, for collection. In the event the collection agency is unable to collect, the account is reported to a national credit bureau, thus affecting the debtor's credit rating.

In addition to the above measures, the university also lists the account with the Virginia Department of Taxation for set-off debt collection procedures. This means that any state income tax refund due the debtor will be reduced by the amount of the receivable owed by the debtor.

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is in full compliance with the Virginia Debt Collection Act and all regulations promulgated by the State Department of Accounts and the Office of the Attorney General.

Office of the University Bursar
150 Student Services Building
540/231-6277
Fax: 540/231-3238
E-mail: bursar@vt.edu
Web: http://www.bursar.vt.edu/

Full-Time Enrollment Status

Financial Aid

Virginia Tech awards financial aid to qualified students in the form of grants, loans, and employment. Sources of aid come from federal agencies, university academic departments, and private foundations and corporations. Interested applicants should inquire about fellowships and teaching and research assistantships through the university academic department in which they will be enrolled. Additionally, all students should submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the federal processor by March 11 to be considered for priority awarding. FAFSA forms and information are available after January 1 on the Web at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

Applicants for financial aid must list Virginia Tech's institutional code number, 003754, and/or the official name of the university (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, or VPI&SU) on the FAFSA in order to have the analysis of their FAFSA sent to the university's Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. Students must complete and submit a new FAFSA to the federal processor each year to be considered for aid at Virginia Tech.

All offers of financial aid are contingent upon receipt of anticipated federal and state funds by the university. Awards may be reduced or canceled if anticipated funds are not received. Offers of financial aid are subject to full-time enrollment (9 hours) and maintenance of satisfactory academic progress.

Virginia Tech administers a comprehensive financial aid program that totals $179 million for all students. Approximately 70 percent of Virginia Tech students receive some form of aid.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to receive aid from federal need-based programs, an applicant must satisfy the following eligibility requirements: meet university application requirements; be enrolled as a degree-seeking student; be a citizen or an eligible non-citizen; submit a completed FAFSA; and be making satisfactory academic progress as defined by the university policy for Title IV recipients (refer to website http://www.finaid.vt.edu/RAP.html). Full-time enrollment is required for Federal Work-Study, Perkins Loans, and some other awards. Fellowship and assistantship recipients must also enroll for at least 12 hours a term.

Federal Title IV Programs

Federal Work-Study Program

This federal program provides employment opportunities to students with demonstrated financial need. All federal work-study positions pay at least minimum wage. Departments post positions on the jobs database at http://www.finaid.vt.edu/work/jobsearch.html.

William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program

Federal Stafford Loans are long-term, low-interest loans authorized by the federal government for the educational expenses of eligible students enrolled at least half-time. Students apply for subsidized Federal Stafford Loans (which are interest free) and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans (which accrue interest) by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Repayment normally begins six months after the student leaves Virginia Tech or drops below half-time status.

Federal Perkins Loans

This program provides long-term, low-interest loans from Virginia Tech to students with financial need. The interest rate to first-time borrowers is five (5) percent. Repayment of both principal and interest begins after the student leaves Virginia Tech or drops below half-time status. Repayment is made to Virginia Tech, and once funds are repaid, they are used to make loans to other Virginia Tech students.

Additional Information

Additional information on financial aid may be obtained by writing, calling, or visiting:

Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid
200 Student Services Building (0222)
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 24061
Phone: 540/231-5179
Fax: 540/231-9139
E-mail: finaid@vt.edu
Web: http://www.finaid.vt.edu/

All information is correct at the time of publication. Current information is available from our website.

Veterans Affairs Educational Benefits

Applicants who wish to receive VA Educational Benefits should apply through the Office of the University Registrar or visit their website at http://www.registrar.vt.edu/

Delayed Payment Policy

"Once Virginia Tech receives a valid VA authorization, such as a VAF 28-1905 for Chapter 31 VR&E beneficiaries, Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or "Statement of Benefits" for Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill® recipients, and the student has submitted a request to use such entitlement, the covered student will be permitted to participate in the approved course(s) while awaiting payment from the VA for a period of 90 days from the date Virginia Tech submits a valid invoice for tuition/fees (T&F) to VA. For attendance costs a student's Veterans Affairs benefits will cover, Virginia Tech will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees; the denial of access to classes, libraries or other institutional facilities; or require any covered individual to borrow additional funds due to delayed T&F payments from the VA."

Grievance Policy

"The Virginia State Approving Agency (SAA), is the approving authority of education and training programs for Virginia. Our office investigates complaints of GI Bill® beneficiaries. While most complaints should initially follow the school grievance policy, if the situation cannot be resolved at the school, the beneficiary should contact our office via email saa@dvs.virginia.gov."

In-State Tuition for Veterans

All public institutions understand that Chapters 30, 31, 33, and 35 students can only be charged in-state tuition and fees according to the Veteran Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 and the Colonel John M. McHugh Tuition Fairness Act of 2021, effective August 1, 2022, with amendments as required under 38 USC 3679:

• PL 116-315 Section 1005 updated to require in-state tuition regardless of when the covered individual transitioned from service. This replaces the three-year requirement.
• A veteran using educational assistance under either chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty Program) or chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill®), of Title 38, United States Code, who lives in the Commonwealth of Virginia while attending a school located in the Commonwealth of Virginia (regardless of their formal state of residence).
• Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits who lives in the state where the IHL is located, and the transferor is a member of the uniformed service serving on active duty.
• A spouse or child using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (38 U.S.C. § 3311(b)(9)) or chapter 35 (Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance) who lives in the Commonwealth of Virginia while attending a school located in the Commonwealth of Virginia (regardless of their formal state of residence).
• An individual using educational assistance under chapter 31, Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) who lives in the Commonwealth of Virginia while attending a school located in the Commonwealth of Virginia (regardless of their formal state of residence) effective for courses, semesters, or terms beginning after March 1, 2019
• Anyone described above remains continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms) at the same institution. The described person must be enrolled in the institution and use educational benefits under either chapter 30, chapter 31, chapter 33 or chapter 35 of Title 38, United States Code.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Assistantships

Most departments at the university offer assistantships. Students should contact the academic departments to inquire about the availability of assistantships.

University Mission

Inspired by our land-grant identity and guided by our motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech is an inclusive community of knowledge, discovery, and creativity dedicated to improving the quality of life and the human condition within the Commonwealth of Virginia and throughout the world.

2019 Mission Statement adopted by the Board of Visitors

Graduate School Mission

The mission of the Virginia Tech Graduate School is to advance graduate education as a critical component in the transmission of new knowledge, new research, new ideas, and new scholarship in the university. The Graduate School is committed to providing a rich learning environment that attracts and retains outstanding graduate students. They work closely with outstanding faculty to advance knowledge and understanding that enables us to address the complex issues of today's society and tomorrow's future. Our viability as a top research university depends upon our ability to prioritize graduate education and research as central to the academic mission of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Graduate School Responsibilities

The Graduate School is responsible for the development, administration, and evaluation of graduate education throughout the university. Graduate School personnel work in partnership with the faculty, program chairs and department heads, the deans, graduate students (particularly through the Graduate Student Assembly), and the Commission on Graduate Studies & Policies (CGS&P) to further graduate education at Virginia Tech. The Graduate School is responsible for:

• Implement academic policies and procedures;
• Assisting with the preparation of new graduate degree options and programs;
• Implementing enrollment management strategies at the graduate level;
• Overseeing admission of graduate students;
• Monitoring graduate students' progress toward degrees, accepting and approving theses and dissertations, and certifying the successful completion of graduation requirements;
• Certifying eligibility of graduate students to hold assistantships (GTAs, GRAs, GAs);
• Managing tuition remissions and scholarship and fellowship programs;
• Implementing the health insurance subsidy program;
• Coordinating university-wide graduate recruitment efforts;
• Advocating and promoting a nurturing climate for graduate education, including the sound mentoring of graduate students;
• Coordinating the university-wide graduate student orientation and GTA training;
• Processing documentation for international students (e.g., visas) and assuring federally mandated compliance;
• Administering the Graduate Honor System;
• Preparing the future professional;
• Facilitating interdisciplinary programs.