Only students admitted with regular or provisional status qualify for federal financial aid. Students must be enrolled in at least 5 credit hours (two VT-MIT courses) per semester to qualify.

First-time graduate students will see a computer budget of $2,150–$3,140 included in their Cost of Attendance, since a computer is required for all VT programs. Students using Federal Student Loans will also see a $200 direct loan fee budget item.

Most graduate students who complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) qualify for an Unsubsidized Direct Loan of up to $20,500 per academic year. Additional funding — up to the full Cost of Attendance minus other financial aid — can be obtained through a Graduate PLUS Loan. Other sources of financial aid can reduce initial loan amounts. Students also have the option of pursuing loans from private lenders.

The University Scholarships and Financial Aid office can provide further information regarding federal loans. Contact them directly at gradaid@vt.edu.

Please note: If you are applying for federal financial aid, you must either include your social security number on the application or send a notarized letter to the graduate school with your social security number.

Eligible newly admitted students are encouraged to apply to the MIT scholarship program. The scholarship is available to students whose enrollment brings unique attributes or experiences to the VT-MIT program and/or IT industry. Read more details about the scholarship here. The VT-MIT program does not offer any graduate assistantships.

We have also compiled a brief list of external scholarship opportunities here. This list is not exhaustive but is meant to give you a sense of what types of scholarships are available and which keywords or terms may be helpful in guiding your own scholarship research.

Many VT-MIT students receive full or partial educational benefits from their employers. Connect with the HR department of your company, agency, or government office to explore your specific benefits, then coordinate with the University Bursar for payment details.

Please keep in mind:

• Third-party payment through the University Bursar is available if your employer agrees to pay at the time of course registration.
• Employer reimbursement directly to you after course completion is common. The VT-MIT program office can provide documentation (course enrollment, grades, etc.) each semester.
• Federal guidelines currently exclude up to $5,250 of educational assistance from your taxable income. Be sure to understand the tax implications for any benefit you may receive.

The Office of Veteran Services can help you start the process to receive your military tuition benefits. Visit their Benefits page to get started.

Tuition and fees that are both mandatory and assessed prior to a student's attendance are certifiable by schools. Permissible mandatory charges are those assessed by a school (other than tuition) that are necessary for the pursuit of an approved program of education and are the same amount for all students (GI Bill and non-GI Bill). Contact the Office of Veteran Services for more information.

As a Virginia Tech employee, you may be eligible for tuition reimbursement per University Policy 4800: Tuition Assistance and Reimbursement Program for Salaried Employees. This benefit may cover up to 12 credits per year and may have tax implications. Visit the Employee Tuition Benefits page to learn more.

The VT-MIT program office works with the Office of the Bursar and the Division of Human Resources to support Virginia Tech employees through the application and reimbursement process. Employees should be prepared to speak with their supervisor, department, and other relevant parties about receiving the benefit.