Curry School of Education | University of Virginia

How do I apply for federal financial aid?

For the financial aid received by students that comes from the federal government, the Curry School of Education acts only as a facilitator; final decisions are made by the federal Department of Education. Undergraduate and graduate students apply for federal need-based financial aid by 1) completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)University of Virginia Financial Aid Application (UFAA), by mail or hand-delivery to the University of Virginia Office of Student Financial Services (not to the Curry School of Education). which may be emailed or mailed to the U.S. Department of Education (not to the University of Virginia Office of Student Financial Services or to the Curry School of Education), and 2) submitting the

Are there due dates for submission of federal financial aid applications?

There are suggested submission dates for federal financial aid applications. Late submission of forms and required paperwork will delay the processing and potentially the receipt of any aid for which the student is found eligible.

Who can I talk to about federal financial aid?

Questions regarding federal financial aid, such as applications and disbursement, should be directed to the University of Virginia Office of Student Financial Services at (434) 982-6000 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Financial aid counselors are available to answer questions via phone, email, or during office hours. All forms of federal financial aid (such as loans, grants, work-study, and scholarships) are handled through U.Va.’s Office of Student Financial Services, not through the Curry School.

Do I need to apply for federal financial aid every year?

Yes. Undergraduate and graduate students are required to renew their applications for federal financial aid every year. They must submit another UFAA to U.Va.’s Office of Student Financial Services via mail or in person, as well as a renewal FAFSA form to the U.S. Dept. of Education via email or mail. Students are responsible for following up with U.Va.’s Office of Student Financial Services and the U.S. Dept. of Education to ensure that they have submitted the required forms and any other necessary paperwork by the suggested due dates. Failure to submit the required renewal forms and related paperwork by the suggested due dates will not necessarily render the student ineligible for federal need-based aid, but may delay the processing and receipt of any federal aid for which the student may be found eligible.

If I am a part-time student, does this status affect a financial aid amount or award, either from the federal government or from the Curry School?

Yes. Part-time and full-time students are eligible for different amounts of financial aid and awards, both from the federal government and from the Curry School.

Who may I contact at the Curry School regarding federal financial aid, fellowships, graduate assistantships, or other forms of aid?

The Curry School does not have a school-wide financial aid office or counselor. New and continuing students are asked not to contact the Curry School’s Office of Admissions or department chairs regarding whether they have been awarded federal financial aid or school-wide or departmental awards. Students should contact the regarding federal need-based aid at (434) 982-6000 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Students may speak to their advisors or doctoral committee chairs and members regarding their interest in receipt of a school-wide or departmental fellowship, graduate assistantship or other award and related specifics. As stated above, students will be notified by mail during the spring semester of each academic year as to whether or not they are the recipient of a school-wide or departmental financial award package.

How do I apply for available fellowships or graduate assistantships through the Curry School?

Typically, school-wide or departmental financial award packages, such as fellowships and graduate assistantships, are limited to doctoral students. Some master’s students may be eligible to receive a financial award, but this will vary from one department to another. The receipt of fellowships or other forms of financial award, such as graduate assistantships, are determined at various administrative levels throughout the Curry School. All new graduate students interested in being considered for receipt of such must complete the Curry School Application for Departmental Financial Aid, found within the school’s application packet. Continuing students should talk to their advisors or doctoral committee chairs and members during each academic year regarding their interest in being considered for a school-wide or departmental award package. Students who currently hold graduate assistant positions should speak to their placement supervisors regarding continuation of their current placement. Admitted students typically work with their advisors to secure graduate assistantships. These positions may be research, teaching, or administrative in nature, depending on the student's interests and the advisor's needs. More information on graduate assistantships.

When will I be notified if I was awarded a fellowship and/or graduate assistantship placement?

All recipients of school-wide or departmental award packages will be notified by mail in the spring of each academic year. Most Curry award packages are competitive, vary in amount and other specifics, and are determined at various administrative levels throughout the Curry School. Curry School administration and faculty appreciate that awaiting administrative determinations regarding financial award packages is an anxious process for students; however, students will be notified by mail and are asked not to contact department chairs or Curry’s Office of Admissions with questions regarding these administrative determinations. If students are concerned about their financial status, then they are encouraged to contact U.Va.’s Office of Student Financial Services to inquire about loans and other forms of financial aid for which they may be eligible in the meantime.

Do all graduate assistants or fellows receive subsidized health insurance?

No. Not all award packages include the Graduate Student Health Insurance Subsidy (GSHIS). Qualifying graduate assistants must earn at least $5,000 during the academic year as a teaching, research or administrative graduate assistant. A fellowship recipient who is awarded at least $5,000 over the course of the academic year is also eligible for the health insurance subsidy. Undergraduate students are not eligible for the receipt of GSHIS.

If I receive a Graduate Student Health Insurance Subsidy, do I need to enroll in a plan?

Yes. Receipt of a health insurance subsidy from the Curry School does not automatically enroll a student in a health insurance plan. Students are still required to complete all the necessary paperwork regarding plan enrollment and coverage specifics. Plan enrollment is not handled through the Curry School. For information regarding plan enrollment and coverage students should contact the U.Va. Department of Student Health at (434) 243-2702.

If I am not the recipient of a school-wide or departmental award, what can I do?

Many graduate students at the Curry School are not the recipients of a school-wide or departmental award package. Students who do not receive such are encouraged to speak to their class instructors, the Principal Investigators (PIs) of various research studies at the Curry School, and their advisors or doctoral committee chairs or members about potential paid positions on grant-funded research projects. Students also are encouraged to research other paid positions at U.Va. that exist outside of the Curry School. Students may speak to financial aid counselors at the Office of Student Financial Services about additional financial aid (to include scholarships, grants, and supplementary loans) for which they may be eligible. Graduate students are encouraged to be proactive and take initiative every academic year regarding consideration for school-wide or departmental award packages. Within most departments, graduate students compete with others for fellowships and graduate assistantships and the administrative determinations regarding awards are based on student merit and experience.