Financial Assistance
We encourage you to investigate a number of resources to assist in meeting the cost of attending graduate school. In addition to exploring the scholarship, loan, and veterans' benefit resources below, you may wish to consider talking with potential employers about help in defraying the cost of obtaining your master’s degree.
Approximately 60% of our current graduate students received funding from their employer and/or one of the sources listed below.
Departmental Scholarships
McIntire provides scholarships to incoming students who show exceptional academic promise, come from a unique background, offer a unique perspective, have shown leadership or potential for leadership despite a disadvantage, or demonstrate financial need. Funding is competitive, and our scholarship awards for the 2009-2010 academic year ranged from $5,000 to $15,000.
If you would like to be considered for a departmental scholarship, please complete the Departmental Scholarship Form attached to the online application. This form should be submitted no later than Feb. 1. Requests for funding received after the deadline will be reviewed only if funding remains available. We also encourage applicants to complete both the FAFSA and University Graduate FAA as early as possible between Jan. 1 and March 31 to increase their chances of receiving funding.
University Resources
Student Financial Services offers a wide range of services to help you meet your financial obligations, including federal financial aid programs; need-based, private, and emergency loans; state financial aid programs; work study; and resources for scholarships and grants.
To apply for financial aid at the University, graduate students must:
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Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Renewal FAFSA Web application at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Filing the Renewal FAFSA will require your PIN, which was mailed to you from the U.S. Department of Education.
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Complete the University Graduate Financial Aid Application. This application is available online in the Student Center of the Student Information System. Access to the system is available through the student portal. You will receive an e-mail from the graduate school to which you have applied, supplying your log-in instructions. Once you have received that information, log in using your University computing ID, and the password you created. Once in the system, click on Self Service. Then click on the link to the Student Center. Go to the Finances section, and find the link to Apply Financial Aid for 2010-2011.
Remember: Entering and transfer students should not wait until notification of their admission decision to apply for financial aid.
For an annual fee of $60, the University offers an interest-free 10-month installment-payment plan through the University's current vendor, Tuition Management Systems. We recommend that families enroll in the payment plan only for outstanding charges. Any excess credits are not refunded until the end of each semester.
More information about the payment plan is available at http://www.afford.com. Questions about the plan may also be referred to the Graduate Admissions Office.
Private Loan Programs
Many private lending institutions offer credit-based loan programs to independent students with non-adverse credit history and /or with a credit-worthy cosigner. Students should carefully consider the terms, interest rates, and loan and origination fees of all such possible loans before making a selection.
The Registrar's Office is the University liaison with the Veterans Administration in matters related to education benefits available to veterans and war orphans according to the provisions of Chapter 34 and 35 of Title 38 USC (Cold War G.I. Bill). The office will provide information and furnish application forms on request.
Other Available Scholarships
Please note: We strongly encourage you to contact the individual organizations for information on requirements and deadlines, as they are subject to change.
Contact: info@vscpafoundation.com or 800-733-8272
Open to students currently enrolled in or accepted into a graduate accounting program at a Virginia college or university. Must be a U.S. citizen.
Amount: $1,500 + depending on funding
Application Deadline: Jan. 10
Contact: info@vscpafoundation.com or 800-733-8272
Open to minority students pursuing full-time graduate studies in accounting.
Amount: up to $1,500
Application Deadline: January 10
Contact: 212-596-6221 or educat@aicpa.org
Open to liberal arts degree-holders pursuing graduate studies in accounting.
Amount: $5,000 per year
Application Deadline: April 1
Contact: info@vscpafoundation.com or 800-733-8272
Open to students who have earned their undergraduate degree and are taking additional coursework in order to take the Uniform CPA Examination
Amount: $2,500
Application Deadline: Jan. 10
Contact: 301-472-6222
NABA members who maintains an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher and are currently enrolled in a college or university at the undergraduate level or higher are eligible to apply.
Amount: $500-$6,000
Applications must be submitted between Jan. 1 and Jan. 31.
Contact: 800-245-3321 or scholarships@cfenet.com
Open to graduate or undergraduate students majoring in accounting or criminal justice.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: April 20
Contact: 1-877-473-4636
Open to graduate students of Hispanic heritage.
Amount: $1,000-$5,000
Application Available: December
Application Deadline: March 15
American Society of Women Accountants
Contact: Richmond Chapter, Kay Gotshall kgotshall@kshgs.com
Open to students studying accounting and to non-traditional students who are returning to school to study accounting.
Application Available: September
Application Deadline: Jan. 10