Tuition and Financial Aid

Types of Financial Aid

Financial Aid

Financial aid is money provided to students to help pay college expenses, including direct educational expenses such as:

• Tuition
• Fees
• Books
• Supplies
• Cost of living expenses (food, housing, and transportation) 

Reynolds’ Office of Financial Aid processes free applications for Federal Student Aid, awards financial aid to students, provides financial aid loan counseling, and prepares and submits financial aid reports and information to the state and federal government. Staff members work with students to collect requested documents and ensure timely processing of their financial aid.

This section contains a brief overview of selected financial aid information and is subject to revision without notice.

► More at Reynolds.edu: reynolds.edu/financialaid 

► Contact Office of Financial Aid, 855-874-6682, for information and assistance

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Federal and State Financial Programs

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Senior Citizens Program (Policy 1-33)

Senior citizens 60 years of age or older and legally domiciled in Virginia for one year, as determined by the Application for In-state Tuition of the college application, may take advantage of tuition-free classes.

For credit courses, senior citizens must also provide documentation indicating a taxable individual income not exceeding $23,850 for the year preceding the year in which enrollment is sought. Under this provision senior citizens may also register for and audit courses offered for academic credit regardless of income level.

In any academic term, regardless of income, senior citizens may:

• Audit up to three courses for audit or
• Enroll in non-credit courses 

Requests from senior citizens to register for tuition-free classes will be considered beginning the first day of scheduled classes for each course for which they wish to register. All classes, credit and non-credit, must achieve a minimum enrollment of tuition-paying students, who will be accommodated before senior citizens participating in this program are enrolled.

Requests for tuition refunds will not be granted for senior citizens who enroll and pay for courses prior to the first day of class, in order to utilize the Senior Citizens Program.

► More at Reynolds.edu: Senior Citizens Tuition Assistance Policy

► Contact the Office of Admissions, 804-523-5029, or visit a campus location

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Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP)

This program provides education to spouses and children of military members killed, missing in action, taken prisoner, or who became at least 90 percent disabled as a result of military service in an armed conflict.

The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) is responsible for managing the program and collaborates with the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) and Virginia’s public colleges and universities to assist spouses and children of qualified military service members and veterans in attaining their educational goals.

Reynolds College is approved to offer GI Bill^® educational benefits by the Virginia State Approving Agency.

GI Bill^® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website, benefits.va.gov/gibill/

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Children of Law Enforcement Officers

Children (ages 16-25) of Virginia law enforcement officers, firefighters, or rescue squad members killed in the line of duty, may be eligible to receive payment for full tuition and fees.

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Apply for Financial Aid

Application Process

Apply for Admission

New students must apply for admission to Reynolds as a degree/certificate candidate (only students enrolled in approved curricular programs are eligible for financial aid).

Complete FAFSA and FAFSA Renewals

Students do not need to receive an admissions decision before applying for financial aid. Students must complete a new or renewal FAFSA to coincide with the new academic year to reapply for financial aid. It is important to list Reynolds (federal code #003759) as an institution that will receive their completed FAFSA.

Applicants are encouraged to apply electronically using FAFSA online. The application automatically prompts students to enter all required fields and will question any erroneous data. In addition, the results of an electronic FAFSA are available in approximately 3-5 business days. Paper FAFSA submissions take approximately 4-6 weeks.

FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS)

Applicants receive an FSS after submitting a complete FAFSA. If corrections are necessary, students should correct the information online, or on the signed FSS and mail it back to the Central Processor at the address listed on the FSS.

Students are randomly selected by the federal government to verify the information listed on the FAFSA. Students who are selected for verification will receive a request in their SIS Message Center for additional information from the Office of Financial Aid. This information should be returned to the Office of Financial Aid; students will not be awarded financial aid until all requested information has been submitted.

Respond to Inquiries from Reynolds

Students should promptly respond to any financial aid or admissions inquiries sent by Reynolds. The student should complete and return other financial aid materials, such as loan applications, if applying for an educational loan. Students must have applied and have ALL requested documents on file, to include verification materials and FSS corrections, in the Office of Financial Aid on or before the posted deadline for each semester. FAFSAs and incoming documents received on or before the posted deadline will receive priority processing. FAFSAs and incoming documents received after the posted deadline will be processed after the priority applications are completed. (Refer to the Financial Aid Deadlines section.)

Review Award Package

After a completed FAFSA is received by the federal processor, the results will be sent to the student and to Reynolds. The Office of Financial Aid will use the information from the FAFSA to determine a student’s eligibility, develop an award package and notify the student of the award by email to the VCCS email account and SIS Message Center. It is anticipated that award notifications will be sent beginning in April. All financial aid is awarded assuming full-time enrollment (i.e., 12 or more credit hours) for each of two semesters (fall and spring). If a student enrolls less than full-time, the award amount will be prorated accordingly.

► Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), U.S. Department of Education

► Renewal applicants: select Returning User at the FAFSA website

► Reynolds federal code: 003759

► More at Reynolds.edu: Applying for Financial Aid

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Financial Aid Deadlines

Financial Aid Application Deadlines 

Loan Application Deadlines

Students interested in applying for federal student loans must complete the FAFSA and submit a loan request form to the Office of Financial Aid by July 1 if applying for a loan for the fall, October 15 for the spring, and April 1 for the summer. The last day a loan application may be submitted for processing is October 15 for the fall semester; April 1 for the spring semester; and July 1 for the summer semester. Students must also complete an entrance counseling session and master promissory note at studentaid.gov before their loan can be disbursed. In addition, students must maintain enrollment in at least six semester hours in order to remain eligible for a loan.

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Disbursement

Students receiving financial aid will have their aid applied directly to tuition and fees. Financial aid recipients may use a portion of their award to purchase books and supplies at a campus bookstore if the amount of their financial aid award exceeds the cost of tuition and fees. Students must complete the Bookstore Authorization form (found on the To Do List in the Student Information System (SIS)) before using their funds in the bookstore. Typically, students may begin charging books to their financial aid at least five days prior to the first day of classes. The last day to drop a class with a refund for the second seven-week session is also the last day students may charge books and supplies to their financial aid, if their financial aid award has not disbursed.

A student’s financial aid funds will be disbursed to student financials after the census date has passed for all the classes in which they are enrolled. Refunds will be sent to the student by way of either direct deposit or a paper check via U.S. Mail. Refunds represent the amount of the student’s semester award, minus any funds used to pay tuition and fees or to purchase books and supplies.

Services will be withheld from a student who owes money to Reynolds, or who has books and materials outstanding from the Reynolds libraries. This means the student will not be permitted to re-register and no other college services will be provided.

Students must pay tuition and fees, or have sufficient anticipated aid by the published payment deadlines or they will be dropped from all or some courses for non-payment. Anticipated financial aid will hold a student’s registered classes if that aid is greater than or equal to the total tuition and fees. Students who want to use financial aid to pay bookstore charges must first register for classes.

Students who are not certain if their aid is sufficient to cover their tuition and fees can review the information in SIS, or contact Office of Financial Aid or a campus Business Office.

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Eligibility and Requirements

General Eligibility Criteria

A student’s eligibility for financial aid is determined using this formula:

  Estimated Cost of Attendance
- Student Aid Index                          
= Demonstrated Financial Need

The federal government, using information reported FAFSA, computes the Student Aid Index (SAI).

The Office of Financial Aid develops a financial aid package that attempts to meet students’ demonstrated financial need. However, because the various funding sources are limited, the amount of financial aid funds awarded may not meet full need. Students should contact the Office of Financial Aid if they believe there are changes in their financial circumstances not covered by information provided on the FAFSA that could have an impact on their financial aid eligibility.

Students admitted as non-curricular, visiting, dual-enrolled or concurrent are ineligible to receive financial aid. Students enrolled in career studies certificate programs that require less than 16 credits to complete are ineligible to receive financial aid. Certain other career studies certificate programs are also ineligible for financial aid.

► Contact the Office of Financial Aid, 855-874-6682

► More at Reynolds.edu: Financial Aid

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Program Eligibility

Students may be eligible for financial aid assistance in the form of a grant, loan, scholarship, and/or work-study award. To be eligible for most federal and state aid programs, a student must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen
• Be admitted to, and pursuing, an eligible degree or certificate program
• Have a high school diploma, a General Education Development (GED), or a certificate of completion of homeschooling
• Have a valid Social Security number
• Make satisfactory academic progress
• Certify on the FAFSA that federal student aid will be used only for educational purposes
• Not be in default on a federal student loan or owe money on a federal grant
• Register with the Selective Service if required (males only) and
• Be enrolled in eligible credit courses; no financial aid is available for non-credit or audited courses

NOTE: To be considered for Virginia state financial aid programs, applicants must qualify for the in-state tuition rate and submit the FAFSA.

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In-State Tuition

Reynolds Community College makes an initial determination of a student’s eligibility for in-state tuition rates (domiciliary status) based on the information the applicant and/or the applicant’s parent, legal guardian, or spouse supplies on the Application for Admission. Applicants certify that they have provided accurate information on behalf of parents, legal guardians, and spouses. The determination is made under the provisions of section  23-7.4 of the Code of Virginia (on file in the Admissions Office). Non-U.S. citizens seeking eligibility for in-state tuition rates must provide immigration and other required documents. Occasionally, Reynolds may require clarification or additional information from the applicant before making the determination.

Students requesting to appeal out-of-state status must submit a completed Application for Re-Classification of Student’s Domicile Status, or visit the Office of Admissions. The completed form and supporting documentation must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the first day of classes for the semester the student is attempting to enroll. The determination will be issued in writing prior to the first official day of classes. Requests for review of domicile and domicile appeals received after the first day of classes will be considered for subsequent semesters only. Residency status must be determined prior to the start of the term. Appeals and domicile status changes are not retroactive. See In-State Tuition Eligibility for more information.

Title 38 United States Code Section 3679(c)

The following individuals shall be charged the in-state rate, or otherwise considered a resident, for tuition purposes:

• Veteran using educational assistance under either Chapter 30 (Montgomery G.I. Bill^® - Active Duty Program) or Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 G.I. Bill^®), of Title 38, United States Code, who lives in the Commonwealth of Virginia while attending a school located in the Commonwealth of Virginia (regardless of his/her formal State of residence) and enrolls in the school within three years of discharge from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
• Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits (38U.S.C. § 3319) who lives in the Commonwealth of Virginia while attending a school located in the Commonwealth of Virginia (regardless of their formal State of residence) and enrolls in the school within three years of the transferor’s discharge from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
• Spouse or child using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (38 U.S.C. § 3311(b) (9)) who lives in the Commonwealth of Virginia while attending a school located in the Commonwealth of Virginia (regardless of his/her formal State of residence) and enrolls in the school within three years of the Service member’s death in the line of duty following a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
• Spouse or child using benefits under Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance (Chapter 35) living in the Commonwealth of Virginia while attending a school located in the Commonwealth of Virginia (regardless of their formal state of residence).
• Individual using educational assistance under Chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) who lives in the Commonwealth of Virginia while attending a school located in the Commonwealth of Virginia (regardless of his/her formal State of residence) effective for courses, semesters, or terms beginning after March 1, 2019.
• Anyone described above while he or she remains continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms) at the same institution. The person so described must have enrolled in the institution prior to the expiration of the three-year period following discharge or release as described above and must be using educational benefits under either Chapter 30, Chapter 33, Chapter 31 or Chapter 35 of Title 38, United States Code. 

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Military and Veteran Benefits

Educational Benefits

Eligible veterans are entitled to receive certain educational benefits. The educational benefits for which an eligible veteran may qualify can only be used for courses taken towards the completion of a degree or certificate program. To receive these benefits, eligible veterans must:

• Apply to use their GI Bill^® benefits via benefits.va.gov/gibill​
• Apply to Reynolds and be accepted into a degree or certificate program
• Register for classes and submit a Request for Certification (RFC) as soon as possible. The RFC assigns benefits to a specific semester and, if eligible, allows placement of an indicator on the student account allowing classes to be held until payment is received from the VA. If the chapter/benefit is not eligible, then the student must pay either a percentage or the full amount due by the established deadline.
• Notify the certifying officer if repeating a course or taking a course for no credits.
• Ensure college transcripts from any institutions previously attended are submitted to the Office of the Registrar.
• Submit a new RFC when classes are dropped or withdrawn, or if the student stops attending Reynolds.

► Contact the Veterans Certifying Officer, 804-523-5656

The Virginia State Approving Agency (SSA) is the approving authority of education and training programs for Virginia. Our office investigates complaints of GI Bill beneficiaries. While most complaints should initially follow the school grievance policy, if the situation cannot be resolved at the school, the beneficiary should contact our office via email at saa@dvs.virginia.gov.

GI Bill^® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/

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VA Delayed Payment Compliance

Any student receiving Chapter 31, 33, or 35 benefits will be allowed to register and attend class, without being dropped for non-payment, while waiting for payment from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Reynolds does not impose any penalty, including assessment of late fees; denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities; or require that a covered individual borrow additional funds while awaiting payment of VA funds under Chapters 31, 33, and 35. Students are encouraged to submit a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) before the first day of class, along with an RFC and any additional information required to certify enrollment. Once enrollment has been certified, Reynolds provides advising services to show how VA benefits will be used, and eliminate unexpected tuition costs. Exceptions include students who are not covered at 100% by the VA. Those students with a balance not covered by the VA will need to pay that balance by the published payment deadline after registering for classes in order to attend those classes. 

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Veterans Grievance Procedures Statement

The Virginia SSA is the approving authority of education and training programs for Virginia and investigates complaints of GI Bill beneficiaries. While most complaints should initially follow the school grievance policy, the beneficiary should contact saa@dvs.virginia.gov if the situation cannot be resolved at the school.  

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Relief, Refund, and Reinstatement

In the event that an active-duty student is unable to continue enrollment, the student shall be eligible for a tuition refund under Reynolds Policy No. 1-2, Tuition Refunds. Students called to active military duty, whose service prevented them from completing their academic program, may be readmitted to such program.

Readmission shall be subject to Reynolds Policy No. 1-20, Effective Catalog Year. The following provisions govern reinstatement to the college upon release or return from services in the uniformed services. The student will be assured an opportunity to be reinstated to their program of study (if available) without having to reapply for admission if they return to the college after an accumulative absence of not more than five years, and they provide notice of intent to return to the college not later than three years after the completion of the period of service. Relevant exceptions to these timelines can be found in the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

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Benefit Discontinuation

The VA requires that students receiving educational benefits maintain satisfactory academic progress. This office is required to submit notification of unsatisfactory academic progress to the VA when a student is placed on academic suspension or dismissal. VA Education benefits can be certified at Reynolds while a student is on Academic Suspension as long as they have completed the Academic Reinstatement Appeal, and have received approval from the College to enroll for future terms.

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Scholarships

Through the generosity of individuals, businesses, and organizations, Reynolds offers scholarships to full- and part-time students. While individual scholarship funds may have certain criteria or preferences, students may apply for any/all scholarships by completing a Reynolds Common Scholarship Application between December 1 and March 1 (application deadline). All scholarship awards are subject to availability of funds during the year of award. These scholarship awards are subject to availability of funds during the year of award and students must wait until the awarding process is complete after August 1. 

To apply for scholarships: 

• Complete and submit an Application for Admission to Reynolds, if not currently attending
• Complete the Federal Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) form (students are strongly encouraged, but not required, to submit the FAFSA)
• Complete and submit a Reynolds Scholarship Application online, December 1 to March 1
• Enroll in a curricular/degree or certificate program
• Maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average

All parts of the application must be submitted on time through the online scholarship application portal. If you have accepted an award, a thank you letter must be submitted through the application portal for the award to be disbursed. If the student’s grade point average falls below the awarded scholarship’s grade point average criteria, the scholarship will not be disbursed the following semester. 

► More at Reynolds.edu: reynolds.edu/scholarships

► Contact: Scholarship Office, 804-523-5084, for more information

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Special Circumstances

Students Attending Two Colleges at the Same Time

Students who are enrolled at two different colleges or universities are not able to receive financial aid at both institutions. A student who is enrolled concurrently at Reynolds and another college must decide which college will receive financial aid and communicate that decision to the financial aid office of that institution.

Students who receive financial aid from two different institutions as a result of concurrent enrollment will lose eligibility for further financial assistance and may be required to repay financial aid funds received at one of the institutions.

For students who attend two schools at the same time, a consortium agreement might be an option. The purpose of a consortium agreement is to allow a student to take courses at one college (host institution) and have those courses count toward their financial aid eligibility at another college (home institution). If approved for a consortium agreement, all courses taken at another college MUST count towards your degree at Reynolds and be approved before any aid at Reynolds can be disbursed. Consortium agreements are done on a semester-by-semester basis for each student.

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Drop/Withdrawal Impacts

Students are eligible for a refund of tuition and fees paid for those credit hours dropped during the published drop period. After the published drop period has passed, there will be no refunds. In all cases of dropped courses, any financial aid the student received based on those credits will be canceled, and the student will owe funds to Reynolds and/or the federal government.

To obtain a refund during the published drop period, a student must complete a Request to Add/Drop/Withdraw from Class(es) form and submit it to the Office of the Registrar, or complete the drop process in SIS.

Federal and state financial aid regulations state that a student’s financial aid must be recalculated based on the number of calendar days they attended classes if they officially or unofficially withdraw from all classes on or before completing 60% of the semester or does not complete the entire semester. The calculated unearned portion of the total of Title IV funds awarded a student (Pell Grant, SEOG, Federal Direct Stafford Loan, Federal Direct PLUS Loan, COMA, VGAP, G3 Books and G3 Tuition and Fees) must be returned, according to the provisions of the Higher Education Amendments of 1998. The calculation of the return of these funds will likely result in the student owing a balance to Reynolds and/or the federal government.

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Satisfactory Academic Progress

Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to be eligible to receive federal/state financial aid. Academic progress is assessed at the end of each semester and failure to make SAP may result in the loss of financial aid eligibility. SAP is a combination of qualitative and quantitative components and is measured by:  

Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)

Students must meet minimum cumulative GPA requirements based on a progressive scale. 

Completion Rate (67% Rule)

Students must be evaluated for the 67% Rule before aid is awarded and after grades are posted for every term, starting with their first term of enrollment. Their completion rate must be 67% or higher. Credits with satisfactory grades are those for which a grade of A, B, C, D, S, or P is earned. Developmental and ESL coursework are included in this calculation. Accepted transfer credits will be counted as both attempted and completed.

Maximum Time Frame (150% Rule)

Number of credit hours attempted in relation to number of credit hours necessary to complete the degree or certification program, including transfer credits. Developmental and ESL coursework are excluded from this calculation. Attempted credits from all enrollment periods at Reynolds are counted. All terms of enrollment at Reynolds are included whether or not the student received financial aid and regardless of the age of the coursework. 

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