Grants
Financial aid grant types include federal, state, and institutional programs. - Learn more about grants
Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA)
Beginning in January 2022, a new financial aid application is available for Virginia students who are ineligible to complete the federal FAFSA form, including undocumented students and those with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status.
The Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) Application
helps make college more affordable for undergraduate students who are Virginia residents and are ineligible to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The VASA application is used to determine a student's eligibility for Virginia state need-based financial assistance. This free and secure application provides eligible students with an opportunity to receive financial support for postsecondary education.
Students are encouraged to submit the VASA application as early as possible to receive maximum consideration for available state and institutional aid programs. For the 2026–2027 academic year, Norfolk State University's priority financial aid filing deadline is March 15.
Additional information about the VASA application is available through the Virginia Alternative State Aid Program and the Virginia State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).
Additional information can be found at www.VASAapp.org.
Please note: The VASA application determines eligibility for Virginia need-based financial assistance and does not qualify students for federal aid. Students who are eligible to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are strongly urged to complete it to qualify for federal and state need-based aid. The VASA application should only be completed by Virginia residents who are ineligible for FAFSA funding.
Loans
If scholarships and grants are not sufficient to cover educational expenses, a loan may fill a student's remaining financial need. Student loans, unlike grants and scholarships, must be repaid, with interest in most cases. Students should be prudent in deciding the amount of money to borrow and carefully consider the amount they will have to repay over the years. There are various types of loans that students may consider. - Learn more about loans
Scholarships
Scholarships are gifts. They don't need to be repaid. There are thousands of them, offered by schools, employers, individuals, private companies, nonprofits, communities, religious groups, and professional and social organizations. Click here for more information about institutional and external scholarships.