At Virginia Military Institute, financial aid is structured with precision and purpose. We evaluate each student’s circumstances with clarity and care so a VMI education remains within reach for those prepared to rise to the challenge.

If you’re asking, “How is financial aid determined?” the answer begins with your family’s financial picture, the Cost of Attendance (COA), and the information you submit through federal and institutional applications. Central to this process are the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), your Student Aid Index (SAI), and an honest accounting of your resources and goals.

Understanding these elements—especially how is FAFSA determined and how to find EFC on FAFSA (now reflected as SAI)—equips you to plan with confidence. We will meet you where you are, assess your need with integrity, and build an aid offer that supports your progress and honors your commitment to lead.

REMINDER: To be considered for aid, file the FAFSA annually and respond promptly to any requests from the VMI Financial Aid Office. Accuracy and timeliness are non-negotiable.

Cost of Attendance (COA)

The Cost of Attendance is VMI’s official estimate of total educational expenses for one academic year. It establishes the maximum amount of financial aid you can receive. While individual spending patterns vary, COA ensures your aid package remains grounded, transparent, and compliant, and includes:

• Tuition and mandatory fees (direct)
• Room and board (direct housing in barracks and meals at VMI dining facilities)
• Books and supplies (indirect)
• Personal expenses and transportation (indirect)
• Program or course-specific costs where applicable

AID LIMITS Because COA differs by residency, your aid offer is tailored to your reality. Your total funding—grants, scholarships, and loans—cannot exceed COA.

FAFSA, SAI, and Your Financial Need

Financial need is the difference between COA and your capacity to pay as measured by federal methodology. In practical terms:

Financial Need = COA − Student Aid Index (SAI)

The SAI, generated from your FAFSA, replaces the former Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

FAQ: How is Pell Grant eligibility determined? The Federal Pell Grant is awarded based on your SAI, COA, and enrollment status under federal rules. In short, how is Pell Grant determined ties directly to the FAFSA results and your demonstrated need. As federal guidance evolves, our office applies the latest standards with precision and fairness.

Changes in Need

Special Circumstances

Lives change. If your family experiences a significant shift—loss of income, high medical expenses, a change in household size, or other unusual conditions—contact the VMI Financial Aid Office. You may request a professional judgement review. With proper documentation, we can reassess your FAFSA data, revisit your SAI, and, when appropriate, adjust your eligibility. This careful, individual review preserves integrity while responding to real-world challenges—and it can directly affect how is financial aid determined for your situation.

Unusual Circumstances

Unusual circumstances are conditions that support a change to a student’s dependency status based on a unique situation. Examples of unusual circumstances include, but are not limited to:

• Human trafficking. 
• Refugee/asylee status. 
• Parental abandonment, estrangement, or parental incarceration.

Please note that unusual circumstances do not include: 

• Parents refusal to contribute to student’s education. 
• Parents refusal to provide information for the FAFSA or verification. 
• Parents do not claim the student for income tax purposes, or that the student demonstrates total self-sufficiency 

VMI stands on a proud tradition and looks steadily to the future. Your ambition, backed by accurate information and a clear plan, will carry you from matriculation to commissioning, graduate school, or career with confidence. We are here to help you secure the resources you need to lead.

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