Financial Aid
Scholarships & Grants
Southern Virginia University awards more than $5 million in annual scholarships to make the educational experience we offer affordable to all. (Note that scholarships and grants are types of financial aid that don’t need to be paid back.)
Academic Scholarships
Academic scholarships are awarded based on your incoming high school or college GPA and your standardized test scores. Here’s a chart that outlines how your GPA/scores impact the scholarship amount you’re eligible for:
| GPA | ACT | SAT | Scholarship | ||
| 3.95+ | 28+ | 1300+ | $7,000 | ||
| 3.8-3.94 | 24-27 | 1160-1290 | $6,000 | ||
| 3.6 – 3.79 | OR | 21-23 | 1060-1150 | = | $5,000 |
| 3.2 – 3.59 | 18-20 | 960-1050 | $4,000 | ||
| 2.5 – 3.19 | $3,000 |
To be considered for an academic scholarship, complete an admissions application and submit your transcript(s).
Performing Arts Scholarships and More
Performance scholarships are provided to help you pursue your passion in art, design, cheer, dance, music (e.g., band, choir, and orchestra), theatre, esports, and more. Follow these links to apply (or contact your admissions counselor for application instructions):
- Art+Design Scholarship Application
- Esports Information
- Music Scholarship Application
- Theatre Scholarship Application
Returned Missionary Scholarships
We award the Returned Missionary Scholarship to students who have served full-time missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or who have completed comparable humanitarian service. These scholarships are for $1,500 annually (a total of $6,000 over four years). Complete the application now.
Seminary Scholarships
Our Seminary Scholarship provides Seminary graduates with $1,000 annually, for up to four years (a total of $4,000). To see if you qualify for this scholarship, contact your admissions counselor.
Scholarships for Dependents of Seminary and Institute of Religion Employees
Southern Virginia University is offering a new scholarship opportunity for dependents of Seminaries and Institutes of Religion employees across North America. These are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis (with a limit of 50 awards annually). The details are as follows:
- Each scholarship covers half of the cost of tuition (before room and board). So, since our 2024-25 tuition is set at $10,390 per semester, we will award the 2023-24 scholarship at $5,195 per semester.
- Recipients aren’t eligible for any additional institutional scholarships, including those based on merit, need, or talent. But they do remain eligible for private scholarships and government financial aid, including the Federal Pell Grant and Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant.
- Recipients can receive this scholarship for a total of eight semesters over six calendar years, beginning the date of the initial award.
How to Apply for These Religious Scholarships
To apply for these scholarships, first complete Southern Virginia University’s free online application for admission. Then, email the Office of Admissions with “S&I Scholarship” in the subject line. Emails should include the following information:
- Applicant’s name
- Address
- Desired entry term (e.g., Fall 2024)
- Name, title, and employee ID of the guardian who is an employee of S&I
Private Scholarships
In addition to the university-based scholarships Southern Virginia University offers, a variety of companies and organizations also offer scholarships. We encourage all incoming and current students to work with Financial Services to identify and apply for these opportunities.
Federal Pell College Grants
Students who demonstrate financial need can qualify for a Federal Pell Grant worth up to $7,395 annually — that’s more than $29,000 over four years — in free financial aid from the federal government. To determine if you qualify for a Pell Grant, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using our unique school code: 003738.
Have questions about the FAFSA? Check out our FAQ.
Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG)
Virginia residents can qualify for a Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (or VTAG) worth up to $5,000 annually — that’s $20,000 over four years — in free financial aid from the Commonwealth of Virginia. To determine if you qualify for the VTAG, complete the application.
Other Types of Financial Aid
Learn about Southern Virginia University’s other financial aid options, including need-based aid, federal student loans, and interest-free payment plans.
Check Out Our Go-to Financial Aid 101 Resource
The financial aid team has put together a one-stop resource just for Latter-day Saint students: Private Scholarships vs. Federal Loans: A Financial Aid Guide for Latter-day Saint Students. In this guide, you’ll find more in-depth information about your financial aid options, completing the FAFSA, understanding your financial aid offer, and more.
Link to Types of Aid pageGet the Guide