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

The mission of the Office of Financial Aid is to provide financial assistance and counseling to cadets and prospective cadets, so as to reduce the financial barriers that could hinder enrollment, retention, and success at VMI. The office strives to provide responsible and courteous service and functions in compliance with all federal, state, and VMI policies.

Affording VMI - The Value of Your Choice

The Institute continues to retain its high placing among the nation’s best colleges, according to college rankings released by U.S News and World Report. Among public liberal arts colleges, the Institute ranked fourth only behind the United States Naval Academy, the United States Military Academy, and the United States Air Force Academy. VMI was ranked No. 70 among more than 200 national liberal arts colleges. 

VMI is also included on Washington Monthly’s “Best Bang for the Buck” list, which is meant to guide students from low- and middle-income families toward schools that will help them earn marketable degrees at affordable prices. 

At VMI we make your education dollars go further. 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.

UPDATE: Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins ’85 has signed a memorandum of understanding with the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), that provides VMI nearly $4 million over four years to boost enrollment and success of low income and Pell Grant-eligible cadets at the Institute.

Estimating Aid - Financial Support Snapshot

The Net Price Calculator measures the financial strength of your family and uses other facts you provide to estimate the amount of grants, scholarships and other financial aid that is likely to be available to you. Your "net price" is the difference between that amount and the cost of attendance.

The Federal Student Aid Estimator provides an estimate of what federal student aid an applicant may be eligible to receive, and is an important first step before beginning the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®).

Did you know? Financial aid estimates are available to applicants who have submitted their FAFSA and necessary financial aid forms prior to receiving an admission decision.

Start Your Aid Application

In order to be considered for need-based financial aid (grants, scholarships, loans) students are required to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid, #003753). The completion of the FAFSA determines the level of need-based aid for which a cadet qualifies.

Deadline: March 1 of each year for new and returning cadets. Failure to submit materials by the deadline may affect VMI’s ability to provide financial assistance.

UPDATE, Mar. 13: The Department of Education has notified schools that they have begun processing FAFSA applications. Over the next few weeks, applicants (prospective students) and current students (cadets) should have access to the 'FAFSA Submission Summary'. This will be available to view at studentaid.gov and an email will also be sent directly to each user regarding its availability. Visit the FAFSA Updates page for additional information and answers to frequently asked questions.

In addition to aid awarded by VMI (need-based grants, merit scholarships, and ROTC scholarships), assistance may also be received through Federal Direct Loans and Parent PLUS Loans. All aid received by a VMI cadet, regardless of the source, will be processed through the Office of Financial Aid. 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.