How much is the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant in 2026-27?

Up to $5,250 a year for full-time undergraduates attending in person at an eligible private Virginia college, and up to $5,000 for graduate students in health-related programs. Students at Hampton University and Virginia Union University can receive up to $12,750 as undergraduates, thanks to an extra award of up to $7,500 for Virginia's private HBCUs. New online-only students receive up to $2,625.

No. VTAG doesn't use the FAFSA or an income test. You qualify by being a Virginia domiciliary resident (or meeting the military-dependent or tuition-equity provisions), enrolling full-time, and pursuing a degree that isn't religious or theological training at a participating private nonprofit college in Virginia.

What is the VTAG deadline?

September 15 for a fall or full-year award, submitted to your college's financial aid office. Per Virginia's 2026 budget, fall applications received by October 1 are held and considered only if funds remain after returning students are awarded, and spring-only applications must be received by December 1.

Can I use VTAG at a public university?

No. VTAG is only for private nonprofit colleges in Virginia. Virginia residents at public colleges already pay in-state tuition and are considered for need-based state aid like the Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program and the Commonwealth Award instead.

Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG) 2026-27: $5,250 at Private Colleges, $12,750 at Hampton and Virginia Union

The Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG) gives Virginia residents up to $5,250 a year to attend a private nonprofit college in Virginia -- and up to $12,750 at Hampton University and Virginia Union University. It isn't need-based: there's no FAFSA requirement and no income cap. The catch is the process. You apply through your college's financial aid office, not a state portal, and the deadline is September 15, months after most other aid deadlines.

All amounts below are the 2026-27 maximums set by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) and Virginia's 2026 budget. The state treats every VTAG amount as an estimate: the actual award depends on how many students apply and on funding, and SCHEV can lower it.

How much VTAG pays in 2026-27

Student	In-person	New online/distance-only students
Undergraduate	$5,250 ($2,625 per semester)	$2,625
Graduate (health-related programs only)	$5,000	$2,625
Undergraduate at Hampton or Virginia Union	$12,750	$10,125

Add-ons written into the 2026 budget:

Up to $7,500 more at private Virginia HBCUs accredited by SACSCOC -- Hampton and Virginia Union. See VTAG at Hampton and Virginia Union.
Up to $2,000 more at TAG-eligible private colleges where Hispanic students have averaged at least 25% of undergraduate enrollment over three years. The budget doesn't name which colleges qualify; ask your financial aid office.
$500 more in senior year for undergraduates pursuing a teaching career (SCHEV lists it as $250 a semester).

Online-only students who were already enrolled in 2019-20 keep their older, higher amounts until they finish their current degree.

Who's eligible

Per SCHEV and the Code of Virginia, you must:

be a Virginia student -- a domiciliary resident under § 23.1-502, a qualifying military dependent, or eligible under Virginia's tuition-equity provision;
enroll full-time as an undergraduate, or as a graduate student in a health-related professional program;
attend an eligible private nonprofit college in a program that isn't religious training or theological education.

There's no income test and no FAFSA requirement for VTAG itself. Undergraduates can receive it for up to four academic years, which don't have to be consecutive (three years for most graduate programs; four for pharmacy and medicine).

The 28 eligible colleges for 2026-27

SCHEV's 2026-27 list:

Appalachian College of Pharmacy, Averett University, Batten University, Bluefield University, Bridgewater College, Christendom College, Eastern Mennonite University, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Emory & Henry University, Ferrum College, George Washington University (Virginia campus only), Hampden-Sydney College, Hampton University, Hollins University, Liberty University, Mary Baldwin University, Marymount University, Randolph College, Randolph-Macon College, Regent University, Roanoke College, Shenandoah University, Southern Virginia University, Sweet Briar College, University of Lynchburg, University of Richmond, Virginia Union University, and Washington and Lee University.

Two things to notice. George Washington University qualifies only at its Virginia campus, not its main DC campus. And Virginia Wesleyan University does not appear on SCHEV's 2026-27 list, even though its own website has a VTAG page -- if it's on your list, confirm its status with its financial aid office.

How and when to apply

Get the 2026-27 VTAG application from your college's financial aid office (SCHEV also posts it). Your college may use its own electronic version.
Submit it to the college's financial aid office by September 15 for a fall or full-year award.
Late? Virginia's 2026 budget holds fall or full-year applications received by October 1 for consideration only if funds remain after returning students are awarded. Spring-only applications are due December 1, also subject to available funds.

Returning students who received VTAG the year before are prioritized, but you still file each year.

What this means for you

If you're a Virginia resident looking at private colleges in-state, VTAG is close to automatic money -- no income test -- as long as you file on time.
Mark September 15, not just the FAFSA dates. Your college's FAFSA priority deadline is separate and usually earlier.
Starting in spring 2027? The December 1 spring-only window is the one still open.
Choosing a public college instead? VTAG doesn't apply, but Virginia's need-based grants for public colleges can cover up to full tuition.
Coming from a Virginia community college? The Two-Year College Transfer Grant stacks on top at both public and private four-year schools.
Neighbors: DC residents have their own program, DCTAG, which works the other way around -- it's mainly for public colleges outside DC. Maryland's is need-based with a March 1 deadline.