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MeritPlaybook / Take-home research

UVA
Decision sheet

Virginia · Research checked 2026-05-07 · School research, not an aid offer

The starting point

Public flagship that meets 100% of demonstrated financial need (AccessUVa) — no traditional automatic merit ladder. The headline aid story is the in-state tuition guarantee at $50K, $100K, and $150K family-income thresholds, plus the independently-administered Jefferson Scholars Foundation merit award.

Selection beyond grades and scores. These awards are not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read each award's selection rules, application steps and dates. Meeting a minimum is not an award offer.

Awards to discuss

First 3 of 4 recorded awards, in chapter display order. This is a selection, not a ranking. Read the full chapter for all awards. Amounts retain the original units and conditions; confirm the entering year with the school.

AccessUVa — In-State Income < $50K

Full cost of tuition, fees, housing, and food (no loans needed) · Published coverage or package

Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.

Eligibility: Virginia resident with family income less than $50,000. Demonstrated need via FAFSA (federal code 003745) and CSS Profile (school code 5820). March 1 priority deadline.

Renewal: Reapply each year with FAFSA + CSS Profile by March 1; meet enrollment and Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.

Other terms: This is need-based, not merit-based, but functionally serves as the headline aid award for low-income Virginia residents. Need-based loans capped at $4,500/yr if any are included.

https://www.virginia.edu/life/affordinguva

AccessUVa — In-State Income $50K–$100K

Full cost of tuition and fees · Published coverage or package

Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.

Eligibility: Virginia resident with family income between $50,000 and $100,000. FAFSA + CSS Profile required.

Renewal: Reapply annually with FAFSA + CSS Profile by March 1.

https://www.virginia.edu/life/affordinguva

AccessUVa — In-State Income $100K–$150K

$2,000 tuition grant · Published coverage or package

Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.

Eligibility: Virginia resident with family income between $100,000 and $150,000.

Renewal: Annual reapplication.

Other terms: Smaller flat grant for middle-income Virginia families that fall above the full-tuition threshold.

https://www.virginia.edu/life/affordinguva

Ask before you decide

  1. Which entering-year policy and residency category apply to us? What are the admission and scholarship deadlines?
  2. What grades and credits are required to renew, and for how many terms?
  3. How would other school awards or outside scholarships change the offer?

Recorded stacking policy: UVA meets 100% of demonstrated need: outside scholarships replace 'self-help' aid (Direct Subsidized Loans, Institutional/Nursing Loans, Federal Work Study) FIRST, before reducing state and University grants. Total aid cannot exceed cost of attendance.

Our unanswered questions / Family notes

Keep the sources with the decision

Full research, award details and source context: https://meritplaybook.com/colleges/uva/merit-aid

The research date is not a guarantee that a policy still applies. Confirm current amounts, deadlines and conditions with the school before making a financial decision.