Virginia Military Institute considers its financial aid program an important and worthwhile investment in its cadets' futures.

VMI strives to offer the best available aid package for each applicant and each cadet and the Office of Financial Aid partners with students and families to reduce financial barriers that could hinder enrollment, retention, and success at VMI. This includes not only working with those students who without such aid would be unable to attend, but also providing aid to cadets with superior academic abilities and commitment to military service. 

Our team connects students with funding opportunities and simplifies the process from application through graduation. We help you evaluate all forms of financial aid—federal and state programs, institutional grants and scholarships, private awards, and Veterans Affairs benefits—so you can build a realistic plan aligned with your academic goals and training commitments.

Whether you are comparing options or ready to enroll, our office helps you understand costs, interpret offers, and take decisive next steps toward earning your VMI degree.

Affording VMI - The Value of Your Choice

At VMI we make your education dollars go further. VMI strives to offer the best available aid package for each applicant and each cadet, and on average each year over 80% of cadets receive some form of aid. For students at VMI who receive financial aid, the average return on investment for bachelors degrees in the humanities is $649,000 over 20 years after graduation.

Independent rankings continue to recognize VMI for value and return on investment. National outlets have highlighted VMI among colleges delivering high-value degrees, and alumni earnings data show competitive early and mid-career salary potential. These results reflect disciplined time-to-degree, leadership preparation, and robust placement across military service, public leadership, engineering, and business—affirming that a mission-driven education at VMI is both academically rigorous and financially sound.

Estimating Your Aid - Financial Support Snapshot

Before you receive an official award, two tools provide a clear picture of affordability:

Federal Student Aid Estimator: This tool previews your eligibility for federal grants, work-study, and loans before you complete the FAFSA. Use it to estimate need-based aid and federal loan limits, explore scenarios such as changes in income or family size, and understand how your Student Aid Index (SAI) may influence your package. It is an important first step in the financial student aid process.

VMI Net Price Calculator: This online tool measures the financial strength of your family and uses information you provide to estimate grants, scholarships, and other financial aid likely available to you. Your “net price” is the difference between that amount and the cost of attendance. Enter current academic and financial details to see a tailored snapshot based on recent awards to students with similar profiles.

TIP: Combine both tools for a comprehensive view: start with the Federal Student Aid Estimator to gauge federal eligibility, then use VMI’s Net Price Calculator to approximate institutional grant and scholarship impact.

Start Your Aid Application

To be considered for financial aid at VMI, students must complete both the VMI Statement of Educational Purpose form and the free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA, #003753, for each year of enrollment. The completion of the FAFSA determines the level of financial student aid for which a cadet qualifies across federal, state, and many VMI programs. 

The Financial Aid team is ready to assist you as you begin to complete your forms to apply for financial aid and examine the available types of aid. Reach out to us with any questions or concerns, or to explore additional funding sources you may not have previously considered, such as ROTC scholarships and merit-based scholarships.

TIP: File early to maximize consideration—many funds are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Financial aid estimates are available to applicants who have submitted their FAFSA and necessary financial aid forms prior to receiving an admission decision.