Types of Aid

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is a need-based grant.  Students who are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant and who demonstrate the greatest financial need receive priority.  FSEOG funds are credited at the time of enrollment.  Awarding is contingent upon funding and may or may not be renewed year to year.

A state funded program provides grants to state residents who demonstrate the highest level of financial need as determined by the results of the FAFSA. Amount varies and is based upon enrollment status. Any state grant amount listed in your financial aid notice is an estimate and becomes finalized only when your state agency notifies Villanova University’s Office of Financial Assistance. If at a later time you receive a state grant that is not reflected in your financial aid notice, your Villanova University Grant may be reduced by the amount of the state grant.

Not all states award grants to students studying out of state, and each state has its own set of criteria.  Please check with your state of residence for more information.

Due to the delayed availability of the 2425 FAFSA, student financial and personal information will not be able to be electronically transferred to individual state grant applications for the 2024-25 academic year.   We strongly encourage students from the states that provide grant reciprocity to log in to their state’s individual grant system and manually apply for their state’s grant program.  States that continue to support students attending schools in Pennsylvania and their respective portals are below: 

Pennsylvania: https://www.pheaa.org/grants/state-grant-program/

Delaware: https://education.delaware.gov/families/college-career-life/college-scholarship-financial-aid/

Ohio: https://highered.ohio.gov/educators/financial-aid/sgs/ocog

Vermont: https://www.vsac.org/pay/student-aid-options/grants

West Virgina: https://www.collegeforwv.com/programs/wv-higher-education-grant/

Massachusetts: https://www.mass.edu/osfa/programs/massgrant.asp

District of Columbia: https://dconeapp.dc.gov

Pennsylvania Grants

Residents of Pennsylvania may be eligible to receive a grant from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA).  Students must submit the FAFSA before PHEAA’s deadline and complete the State Grant Form. For more information visit the PA State Grant Program website.

The Chafee Education and Training Grant (Chafee)

The Chafee program is a partnership between PHEAA and the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), which is authorized under the Foster Care Independence Act 1999 as amended by the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Amendments of 2001. The Chafee Program offers grant assistance to Pennsylvania undergraduate students aging out of foster care who are attending an approved Federal Title IV postsecondary institution. Learn more at https://www.pheaa.org/funding-opportunities/other-educational-aid/chafee-program.shtml. 

Each school has a point of contact available to support eligible students throughout their college careers with the following:

• Assistance in completing admissions and financial aid applications
• Obtaining verification of eligibility
• Providing referrals for on- and off-campus resurces and support services

If you have questions, concerns, or need assistance applying for the CHAFEE/FosterEd Program, please contact Morgan Dawson, Assistant Director of Financial Assistance.

The Villanova University Grant is an institutional grant based on financial need. Students must be accepted/enrolled in a full-time (minimum of 12 credits per semester) undergraduate degree program in the day college and pursuing their first baccalaureate degree.  Students must be enrolled in courses required towards their major degree completion in order to remain eligible for Villanova Grant.

This grant is awarded for a maximum of 4 academic years (8 consecutive semesters), excluding summer terms. Grant funds are credited to your account at the time of enrollment.

The amount of the need-based Villanova University Grant is determined each year based on the information on the CSS Profile and after the Office of Financial Assistance has received and reviewed all financial aid applications and documents. Therefore, this need-based grant amount is subject to change each year as a family’s financial information, household size and number enrolled in undergraduate college changes.

NOTE: This is not a scholarship.

Net operating losses, siblings over 23 years of age, parents enrolled in undergraduate or graduate school, siblings enrolled in graduate school, pursuing a second baccalaureate degree, enrolled on a part-time basis, enrolled at a community college or in a non-Title IV-eligible institution are not considered in determining the EFC for purposes of awarding the need-based Villanova University Grant. The net value of a business or farm and information from the CSS Profile is included in determining eligibility for this grant. Endowed scholarship funds may replace a Villanova University Grant after the school year begins. If any changes are made to the student’s aid package, the student will be notified.

Since the combination of Post 9/11 GI Bill® benefit and Yellow Ribbon covers the cost of tuition and fees, students who receive Yellow Ribbon funding are not eligible for the need-based Villanova Grant.

The William D. Ford Federal Direct Stafford Loan (Direct Loan) Program is the best financing option for a student to pursue, and should be considered before any private educational loan options.  The loan is available to students regardless of the level of financial need. Direct Loans are funded by the US Department of Education through Villanova University and are managed by federal loan servicers, under the supervision of the Department of Education.

For additional information regarding interest rates, origination fees, annual and aggregate limits please view the Federal Direct Loan Information page.

For first time borrowers, please review the Federal Direct Loan Fact Sheet which includes the steps for completing Entrance Counseling and signing the Master Promissory Note.

Subsidized Loan

This federal education loan is available to students who demonstrate financial need. It is available to students accepted/enrolled on at least a half-time basis in an undergraduate program.   The advantage of a Direct Subsidized Loan is that interest does not accrue while the student is enrolled at least half-time.

Unsubsidized Loan

This federal education loan was established by the federal government for students who are not eligible or have limited eligibility for the Subsidized Direct Loan. It is available to students accepted/enrolled on at least a half-time basis in an undergraduate program.  Students may borrow under the same terms as the Subsidized Direct Loan program with one exception; the government does not pay the interest on an Unsubsidized Loan (note: see difference in interest rate below).  The student either pays all interest that accrues on this loan during the time of enrollment, grace period and repayment, or may capitalize the interest during the period of enrollment.

The Nursing Student Loan is a Federal loan based on financial need. There is no additional application to be completed as the Office of Financial Assistance will determine a student’s eligibility for this program at the time the student’s financial aid eligibility is renewed each year. Below is additional information pertaining to the requirements for this loan program.

• Students must be accepted/enrolled in an undergraduate degree program as a nursing major, pursuing their first bachelor's degree as well as exhibit financial need.
• Nursing Loans are currently not available to on-line students due to limited funding of this program.
• All Villanova students must follow and complete the appropriate instructions to apply for financial assistance.
• The Nursing Loan is a 5% interest loan and becomes payable nine months after leaving the University, or nine months after the student is no longer enrolled at least half-time. 
• The amount of Nursing Loan eligibility given to a student each year is usually capped at $2,500 due to the limited funding of the program.
• Entrance interviews are required before a borrower receives their first disbursement of Nursing Student Loan funding. Exit interviews are required if a student changes their major from Nursing to another curriculum, graduates, or drops below half-time enrollment status. These requirements will be sent to you by our third party servicer, ECSI.
• No payments will be made to the student's account until all requirements, including Promissory Note and Entrance Interview, have been completed by the student borrower.
• A hold may be placed on a student's transcript if the student does not complete the exit interview.
• If you have any questions about the Nursing Student Loan, please send us an email with your question, name, and Villanova University number to finaidloan@villanova.edu. 

This program provides part-time employment to students attending institutions of higher education who need the earnings to help meet their costs of postsecondary education and encourages students receiving FWS assistance to participate in community service activities. Awarding is contingent upon funding and may or may not be renewed year to year. Paychecks earned under FWS are not deducted from your student account (tuition bill) but can be used toward your personal expenses. Please consider this when determining the amount owed on your student
account.

Students can view the available positions through the Student Job Directory.