Financial Aid Information and Resources

Your Washington and Lee University Financial Aid Offer may include grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study. The information below is provided to assist you in understanding each type of aid and the associated requirements. What are your next steps:

1. Take the time to review all four pages of your financial aid notification.
2. Call us at 540-458-8717 or email financialaid@wlu.edu if there is any part of the notification that needs clarification.

Grants/Scholarships

Grants and Scholarships include Federal Pell and SEOG grants, State grants (such as VTAG), University grants and scholarships (such as the W&L Grant or Johnson Scholarship), and scholarships from an outside source. Here are some details regarding grants and scholarships:

• They do not need to be repaid.
• They can also be referred to as Gift Aid.
• Usually there are prerequisites to receive the awards, and requirements for renewing each year.

University Grants and Scholarships

• The receipt of a Washington and Lee University merit scholarship is determined by your standing in the Johnson Scholarship program.
• Questbridge Scholarships are determined by your standing in the Questbridge Match Scholarship program. 
• Eligibility for a Washington and Lee University need-based grant is determined through the evaluation of your W&L need-based application.
• Specific details on your university award are provided on your financial aid notification.

Federal Grants

• In order to be eligible to receive federally funded financial aid, families must first submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FAFSA applications must be submitted online.
• The primary federal grant awarded to students is the Federal Pell Grant, and is awarded to students who show exceptional financial need.
• Eligibility for any federal grant is based upon the federal expected family contribution (EFC).

Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG)

• Residents of Virginia who did not move to the state solely for schooling are eligible to receive the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant.
• Students must be enrolled full-time in a private university in Virginia.
• This grant is awarded only for qualifying eligible degree programs/majors.
• An application is required to determine eligibility.
• The amount offered each year may vary and is not guaranteed.

Work-Study

Any student who is currently receiving some form of financial assistance is eligible to participate in the Washington and Lee University Work-Study program. Students may earn up to $3,000 per school year.

• Work-study is a job, and the offered amount is an indicator of the maximum amount a student can earn.
• If you do not work the hours to earn the full amount offered, you will not receive those unearned funds.
• Work-study funds do not need to be repaid.
• Funds earned through the work-study program go directly to the student.
• Students have equal opportunities in both Federal and Institutional work-study.

Federal Work-Study

• Students must have federal financial need to qualify for federal work-study.
• Students designated as such receive 75 percent of their funds from the Federal government.

Institutional Work-Study

• Students must currently be receiving some form of financial assistance to qualify for an institutional work-study.
• Students designated as such receive 100 percent of their funds from Washington and Lee University.

Student and Parent Loans

Washington and Lee meets 100% of financial need with a combination of grants and work-study. Students can borrow federal, private and/or institutional loans to meet their Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Students are not obligated to accept any loan(s) offered to them and may choose to borrow an amount that is less than what is listed in their financial aid notification.

For more information about loans, please visit the Loan Information page on our website.