Dining, Housing, and Tuition & Fees

Click on a link to be taken to the entry below.

Dining provides students numerous opportunities for meals and snacks from dining rooms, food courts, coffee shops, and convenience stores around Grounds. Whether you just need a between-class snack or a full-course meal, it’s covered when you have a meal plan. Students have the opportunity to eat on Grounds from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. in over 25 locations.

When you purchase a meal plan you get: swipes for meals at residential dining rooms on Grounds; Plus Dollars to spend at UVA Dining cafes, food courts, and convenience stores; and meal exchange opportunities at certain locations. You can also use your Plus Dollars with our local delivery partners – Domino’s and Ming Dynasty.

The University student identification card is the student’s entry into the residential dining rooms. It allows students to use the meals and Plus Dollars on their dining plans, and tells them the current balances. If the card is lost or stolen, the card office must be notified immediately at 924-4508 to deactivate the card. A separate card is issued to students in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies.

Graduate Students have the option of purchasing a meal plan as well. We offer a special plan just for graduate students: the Graduate Student Semester 50 Meal Plan. This specially-designed plan includes meals at the Garden Room—an exclusive faculty and staff dining room on the West Range.

For more information, please visit the UVA Dining website at www.virginia.edu/dining, email dining@virginia.edu or contact the Meal Plan Coordinator, UVA Dining, P.O. Box 400312, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4312; (434) 982-5140. Dining locations are accessible to students with disabilities.

Meal plans are annual contracts. First year students are required to purchase a meal plan for the entire year. As a courtesy, we provide a change period in between semesters. All changes must be made on the UVA Dining website (www.virginia.edu/dining) by completing the “Dining Plan Change Request” Form or by filling out an “Intent to Change” Form at the Dining Services Administrative Office at Observatory Hill during a specific time period each semester. Please note that removing your meal plan from your QuickPay system does not change or cancel your meal plan.

Students may purchase or upgrade their meal plan at any time during the academic year. There is no fee for upgrading meal plans; however a $50 Early Termination Fee (ETF) is applied to all early terminations except for students graduating in December or studying abroad. The 2016/17 meal plan rates are available on the UVA Dining website at www.virginia.edu/dining.

All Access Meal Plans let students enjoy all-you-care-to-eat dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the residential dining rooms. Students receive all access to the dining rooms with these plans. Please visit our website at www.virginia.edu/dining for more information on all of our meal plan options. Plus Dollars All meal plans include Plus Dollars, which can be used in all dining locations. They work like an ATM or debit card, and students can use Plus Dollars for beverages, snacks, or full meals. The total purchase price is subtracted from the Plus Dollar dining plan balance. Students may increase the flexibility of their meal plan by purchasing additional Plus Dollars at any time. All charges are billed by Student Financial Services, and funds are available within one business day of sign-up.

Please note that the above descriptions of the meal plans do not include all relevant terms and conditions of the contract. Please refer to www.virginia.edu/dining for complete terms and conditions

Our policies on Meal Exchange and To-Go meals at UVA Dining are as follows: A To-Go meal counts as a “Meal Exchange” swipe, and is deducted from your account in the same manner. With the Ultimate Access Meal Plan, you are allowed three swipes per day to use for either Meal Exchange or To-Go meals. With the All Access 7, Semester 160, Semester 80 and Semester 50 Meal Plans, you are allowed two swipes per day to use for Meal Exchange or To-Go Meals. There is an hourly limitation on swipes: you are allowed one swipe per hour whether you use a Meal Exchange or To-Go swipe. We want you to join us for your meals in our locations and share in the experience of dining at The University of Virginia.

Brown College requires that all residents purchase a residential meal plan and it is expected that residents will eat in the College dining hall at the Fresh Food Company in Newcomb Hall. Hereford College requires that all residents purchase a residential dining plan and it is expected that residents will eat at Runk Dining Room for Sunday brunch or dinner and two additional dinners between Monday and Thursday evening.

Language Houses: The French and Spanish language houses require that all residents participate in a Language House Dining Plan. Students are required to eat dinner Monday through Thursday at their respective language house.

Athletic Dining Plans: Varsity student athletes are required to participate in an Athletic dining plan. These plans include dinners at the John Paul Jones athletic dining room, featuring recipes designed to meet the special nutritional needs of student-athletes. Only student athletes on varsity NCAA competing sports teams are eligible to participate in Athletic Dining plans.

Please refer to the Housing & Residence Life website for information and policies related to living on Grounds.

Requests for information should be addressed to Housing & Residence Life at 434-924-3736 or housing@virginia.edu.

Graduate students may live in designated housing on Grounds or in privately owned properties off Grounds.

The on-Grounds housing application for graduate students can be found online at http://housing.virginia.edu/graduate-application.

All students who live on Grounds are subject to the Terms & Conditions of Housing found at https://housing.virginia.edu/housing-terms as well as HRL policies found at https://housing.virginia.edu/policies.

Sales and soliciting are prohibited within University residential areas. The only exception is during University elections, when student candidates may enter a University residential building with a student host who lives in that building. The candidate must be with their host at all times. Student candidates must follow these guidelines and those outlined by the University Board of Elections.

Students are strongly encouraged to obtain personal property insurance, as the University is not responsible for damage to residents’ property.

The University reserves the right to change or cancel any housing assignment; to temporarily or permanently reassign students to other available housing; to designate any housing as available for expanded or decreased occupancy; and to assign graduate and undergraduate students to the same housing.

University housing rental rates can be found on the Housing & Residence Life website at https://housing.virginia.edu/housing-rates. Rates include utilities, except telephone and cable TV.

The Graduate Housing Association Council (GHAC) is governed by a council composed of residents elected from the various neighborhoods of the graduate housing communities. The GHAC coordinates programming for the residents and serves as a liaison with HRL and other agencies.

Students wishing to obtain housing off Grounds should consult HRL’s off-Grounds resources at http://housing.virginia.edu/off-grounds.

University tuition and fees consist of tuition and required fees, as well as a student activities fee. Students enrolled for three or fewer credits, or research credits are assessed a special session fee and do not have student access to fitness centers or athletic events. The University Board of Visitors sets tuition and fees annually. University tuition and fees are subject to change.

Graduate and Professional Tuition and Required Fees

University of Virginia Tuition and Required Fees and Other Charges, Effective July 1, 2022 unless otherwise noted. Approved by the Board of Visitors on 12/10/2021.

Account & Billing Information 

Student Accounts

The University of Virginia, in partnership with Flywire, makes student financial account information available online for viewing and payment through UVAPay.

UVAPay Logins:

• Student UVAPay Login: students access UVAPay from the dashboard of the Student Information System (SIS) account.
• Authorized User UVAPay Login..

 UVAPay online portal provides student account access to:

• View Charges & Payments Activity
• View Term Statements
• View Due Dates
• Submit Online Payments & Methods: UVA’s preferred method of payment is online through UVAPay.
  • eCheck (ACH): We recommend using the FREE eCheck payment method (i.e., the Automated Clearing House [ACH] method requires standard checking or savings routing and account numbers held at a U.S. institution).
  • Credit Cards: UVA accepts all major credit cards (note: 2.75% service fee applies per transaction). 
  • International & Wire Transfer Payments: The University partners with Flywire to provide a fast, secure way to submit international and wire transfer payments through UVAPay. You can pay in your local or other desired currency with available payment methods (e.g., international credit cards and debit cards, wire transfers, and other international payment options).
• Enroll in Semester Payment Plans: The University offers an optional, interest-free semester based Payment Plan. The plan helps families spread the cost of eligible charges over 5-, 4-, or 3-month payment installments (plan length depends upon time of enrollment). There is a $45 enrollment fee associated with each semester payment plan utilization.    
• Generate Reports: In addition, accessing term statements, you can generate account activity reports by selecting multiple terms or choosing a specific date range. This feature provides useful statements for tax purposes or providing to a sponsor to show charges and payments. To access activity reports in UVAPay, go to the Account Activity tab, choose the terms or date range, and select “Generate Activity Report.” The result provides a PDF report of the selected criteria.
• 1098-T Tax Documents: Students and their Authorized Users can access the 1098-T form through UVAPay, if eligible to receive one. Follow this link for more information about Education Tax Benefits and 1098-T forms.

General Billing

The University bills tuition and required fees on a semester (term) basis. Charges for incidental expenses incurred across grounds will also be reflected on your student account and available on your on-demand term statements. UVA makes term statements available online through UVAPay. Term statements include:

• Tuition charges corresponded with your academic program of study.
• Required fees include comprehensive fees, course fees, school fees, and activity fees associated with your program of study. Additionally, University housing (including residential college fees) and dining charges may be required based on your academic year and program requirements (e.g., University housing and dining is required for 1^st year students and some athletes. Other students that opt into University housing or dining plan will see their charge on the student account).
• Other/Referred Charges: Incidental purchases across grounds may be charged and referred to the student account. Students are notified of referred charges on a monthly basis. Charges referred to the student account from another University office include University Bookstore, Student Health, Library, Parking and Transportation, Emergency Ride Program, Honor Loans, and School of Architecture printing fees.
• Credits and Anticipated Credits:
  • Payments & other credits: any direct payments or outside sponsorship credit will appear on the term statement to reflect the date of receipt. Here’s more information about direct payments and outside agencies including 529 state Pre-Paid Plans and other third-party sponsors.
  • Financial Aid & Scholarships: Any financial aid provided by UVA along with outside scholarships and loans you receive will appear as credits or on your billing term statement (credits will display as “anticipated aid” until the aid disburses to the account). 

Billing Notification Method

Student Financial Services sends notification emails when electronic bill statements are available for viewing. As new charges occur, monthly account activity email notifications are sent directing you to the UVAPay site where you can view and pay your bill. 

In UVAPay, you can authorize others, such as parents and guardians, to also receive billing notifications and have access to your account. Once authorized, parents and others will be directed to the UVAPay link and will be prompted to login with their email and password. Term statements are not sent by mail. It is essential all students view their online account and add all responsible parties as authorized users in UVAPay.

Billing Notification Timeline

• Fall: Fall term bill statement email notifications are generally sent in mid-July and periodically thereafter for new enrollment. The email notifies users their on-demand term statement is available for viewing and to access UVAPay. Follow this link to view the most current due dates for the fall and spring terms. For security purposes, access to statements requires authentication through UVAPay login. Notifications are sent to students and any established authorized users.
• Spring: Spring term statement email notifications are generally sent beginning in December and periodically thereafter for new enrollment. The email notifies users their on-demand term statement is available for viewing and to access UVAPay. Follow this link to view the most current due dates for the fall and spring terms. For security purposes, access to statements requires authentication through UVAPay login. Notifications are sent to students and any established authorized users.
• Monthly Account Activity: As new activity occurs or unpaid charges become past due, monthly account activity email notifications are sent directing you to the UVAPay site where you can view and pay your bill.  From UVAPay, you can also view the account activity on your student account at any time. Notifications are sent to students and any established authorized users.
• January Term: Varies by enrollment. Please visit UVA’s January Term registration and Payment procedures.
• Study Abroad: Varies by program. Please visit the International Studies Office website for education abroad opportunities and program tuition and costs.
• Summer Sessions: Varies by enrollment. Please visit UVA’s Summer Session registration and payment procedures.
• Due Dates and Notification Schedule: This webpage provides detailed schedules for the Fall and Spring term statement notifications and general due dates.

Account Adjustments

Adjustments to your account as a result of changes to a financial aid award or housing and dining plans, for example, are available only when the actual charges or credits are applied to your student account.  Until the adjustment is applied to your account, the amount owed will be the amount displayed on your statement. External loans or scholarships that are not yet credited to the bill should not be considered when paying your bill.

As a public institution funded in part by the Commonwealth of Virginia, the University of Virginia grants certain privileges to Virginia domiciles. These in-state educational privileges are based upon Virginia law. The law governing the determination process is found in the Code of Virginia, Section 23.1-500 through 23.1-510. An applicant may apply for in-state privileges based upon their own domicile or the domicile of a parent, spouse, legal guardian, or individual acting in loco parentis. “Domicile” and “resident” are defined differently under Virginia law. Note that mere residency in Virginia does not qualify under the statute.

Applicants who meet the requirements of Virginia domicile as set forth in the Code are entitled to in-state educational privileges. In addition to domiciles of Virginia, other categories of applicants that may qualify are members of the military, retired or honorably discharged members of the military, members of the Foreign Service, individuals who are employed in Virginia but live outside the state and graduates of high school in Virginia.

In most instances, a grant of in-state status permits two privileges: one for admission review purposes, the other for tuition. These two privileges are often, but not always, linked.

The determination process for entitlement is dictated by the Code of Virginia, the guidelines set forth by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) and Virginia case law. The following links provide useful information regarding the establishment of Virginia domicile and entitlement for in-state educational privileges.

• Virginia Domicile Law - Code of Virginia Section 23.1-500 through 23.1-510
• Domicile Resources - State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV)
• Financial Benefits for Military Veterans and their Families
• Domicile Determinations for Students Under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (PDF)

The University of Virginia’s Honor Code applies to all applicants for in-state educational privileges. The applicant must attest that all forms and supplemental documentation whether provided by the applicant or their parent, spouse, legal guardian, or person acting in loco parentis submitted to support a claim of entitlement, are correct, complete, and true in full accord with the requirements of the Honor Code. Information provided by the applicant or on the applicant’s behalf that is false or deliberately misleading may result in the rescission of an offer of admission, the retroactive reclassification of an enrolled student for tuition purposes and the referral to the Honor Committee.

Application, eligibility, and contact information is sourced at: https://vastatus.virginia.edu.

125% Rule In-State Surcharge

The Code of Virginia establishes rules for eligibility for in-state tuition for all students enrolled at public institutions in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Section 23.1-509 of the Code of Virginia further requires undergraduate students to maintain progress toward the degree to comply with continued eligibility for in-state tuition.

Students with initial entry dates of Fall 2006 and after may not exceed completed hours that total 125% of the minimum credit hours needed for a specific degree program and retain in-state tuition eligibility.* Students exceeding 125% will be assessed a surcharge for each semester of continued enrollment after exceeding the credit hour threshold. For the purpose of this state law, all credits completed (UVA and transfer) are used in the calculation of the percentage.

*Note on excluded credits: State Guidelines allow for the subtraction of credits awarded for high school dual enrollment, Advanced Placement, Advanced Standing, International Baccalaureate, and Credit by Exam from the completed totals. Transfer credits from non-Virginia public colleges and universities may also be excluded from the credit hours completed totals.

Appealing the Surcharge

Students who have already been charged the surcharge have the option to appeal it by completing and submitting a Credit Hour Threshold Appeal Form. This form is to be used by students receiving notification of the Virginia credit hour threshold limits. Complete appeal forms should be submitted to Student Financial Services (sfs@virginia.edu). Appeals will be received by Student Financial Services and reviewed by your school of enrollment.

Reasons to file an appeal may include:

• Death or long-term disability of immediate family member, person providing financial support, or dependent
• Involuntary loss of student employment resulting in withdrawal from a term
• Illness, disability, or other medical issues effecting progress of student
• Active or reserve service in the armed forces of the United States or other state or national military mobilization
• Other state or national emergency
• Service in AmeriCorps or Peace Corps

Any other requests for waiver may be submitted to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) if deemed necessary by the 125% Appeals Committee.  The 125% Appeals Committee will meet at least once per semester on an as-needed basis.  Students are notified by email as to the outcome of their appeal.  All decisions of the 125% Appeals Committee are final.  Students may request a review based only on new information. Any information the student feels may be pertinent to their appeal, should be attached as supporting documentation. Inquiries about the surcharge and about specific conditions for its appeal can be made to Student Financial Services. 

Resources: https://sfs.virginia.edu/tuition-billing/billing-payment/125-rule-state-tuition

Degree Candidates

Degree candidates must achieve financial and academic requirements in order to be eligible for graduation related privileges, including receiving their diploma or having their degree conferred.

Achieving financial requirements refers to fulfilling current financial obligations to the University. For student utilizing federal or institutional loans, this may include completing Exit Counseling for any federal loans (at StudentAid.gov) or Nursing or Institutional Loans (at heartland.ecsi.net). 

SFS notifies degree candidates of any outstanding financial obligations multiple times in advance of Final Exercises and/or degree conferral. Students may check their student financial account at any time by logging in to SIS.

For information regarding the specific academic requirements for your program, please see your school advisor or registrar. For general requirements related to graduation and diplomas, please refer to UREG’s policies.

Financial Responsibility Agreement

All students must agree to the terms of the University Financial Responsibility Statement. This is completed at a minimum on an annual basis.  Students are responsible for satisfying all student account obligations by the due date on the student bill. Students are expected to satisfy all outstanding obligations to the University before they are permitted to attend classes for a given term. If outstanding obligations are not satisfied, courses may be dropped after 5 p.m. of the Friday of the first week of classes.

Course Registration

Registration is conducted through the SIS each semester. Instructions for registering are available online at www.virginia.edu/registrar/. Upon completion of the registration process, an individual is classified as a registered student. Not attending classes does not alter the registration status or the assessment of tuition and fee charges. Once registered for a semester, a student may terminate registration only through official withdrawal from the University.

Late Payment Fees

The final date for payment of student account balances for University charges is included in the account statement. Bills are available on-line through UVAPay only. Any student who fails to pay the amount due by the specified payment due date may be subject to a 1.5% late fee assessed on the amount past due. The late fee carries a due date separate from the original charge. Requests for late fees appeals due to extenuating circumstances must be made in writing to sfs@virginia.edu and must be received by Student Financial Services by the late fee due date.

Failure to Pay University Financial Obligations

If you have an outstanding debt to the University, students may be subject to one or more of the following:

• Dropped courses and enrollment cancelled for nonpayment.
• Current and former students will have a financial hold placed on their student account preventing them from adding or changing classes.
• Ineligible for degree conferral
• Prohibited from reenrolling or being readmitted to the University until the balance is resolved.
• Official Transcript block for inactive students with outstanding balances. (Unofficial Transcripts remain available. Active students will retain access to their official transcripts while currently enrolled.)

Returned Check Fee

A $50.00 return check fee will be assessed to your student account for all ACH or paper checks processed as nonsufficient funds (NSF) or bad faith stop payments. The $50.00 fee is in accordance with Virginia State Law (VA Code §8.01-27.1).

Overpayment & Fraud Prevention

The University will not accept excess direct payments intended for living or other personal expenses. Personal or sponsor payments in excess of $5,000 of the account balance will not be accepted, except as instructed by a sponsor and with prior approval from Student Financial Services. Any such overpayments will be returned to sender or applied to future term charges.

*Failure to meet your financial obligations may impact your enrollment status. *

Methods of Communication

The University uses a student’s UVA email as its official method of communication students are responsible for reading all emails I receive from the University and for responding in a timely manner. The University may also use other methods and contact information, such as mailing addresses and/or mobile phone numbers, to contact students.

It is the student’s responsibility to maintain current addresses in the SIS. Failure to update addresses on a timely basis may result in misdirected refund checks or other important communications. Because the local mailing address is used for refunds sent by check, please ensure your local mailing address is always up to date in the SIS.

Affiliated Status Fee Students are charged a fee of $211 for each semester they are on an approved leave of absence or each semester they are not enrolled for courses in a resident school but wish to maintain their matriculated status in the school. Students who are not engaged in any course work during the semester in which they expect to graduate must pay the Affiliated Status fee.

Damage to University Property The student or students responsible are charged at the cost of repair or replacement.

Diploma Fees Replacement and duplicate diplomas may be obtained upon payment of a $50 fee plus a mailing fee.

I.D. Replacement Fee Replacements of lost or damaged cards incur a $20 fee, payable at pickup by cash, check, or Cavalier Advantage. Cards replaced because of a malfunction or a name change are issued at no charge provided the previous non-functioning card is returned at the time of service. More information sourced at: https://idoffice.virginia.edu/.

International Services Fee All students attending the University under the F-1 or J-1 non-immigrant visa status are required to enroll for full time study in both the fall and spring semesters (12 or more credits for undergraduate students). Any change in visa or citizenship status must be submitted with original documentation to the International Student and Scholar Programs Office in Minor Hall. You are also required to obtain a Social Security Number if you will be receiving University-awarded financial support.

International Students will be charged a $100 International Services Fee. The revenue offsets costs associated with the operation of the federally mandated Student and Exchange Visitor Program and the associated Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Further, the fees will ensure that the University is in compliance with federal mandates, as well as supporting the International Studies Office to have an adequate number of highly skilled professionals who can address all student legal status issues.

Combined, Joint, or Dual-Degree Programs UVA offers a variety of combined or dual-degree programs between graduate and professional school divisions. These dual degree programs are designed to enhance the educational experience beyond what could be achieved if the two degrees were pursued independently. Students enrolled in dual-degree programs must file required documents with the respective program’s Admissions and Registrar Office.

• Tuition and Fees During enrollment in a dual degree program, the assessment of tuition and fees are governed by the specific program’s fee structure as outlined in the admissions documentation. Generally, tuition and fees are assessed by the school in which the student is primarily attending for that semester. See your particular program’s school for specific tuition and fee details.
• Financial Aid Financial aid will be provided by the school to which the student is paying tuition during each semester. Financial aid is not guaranteed and is subject to individual school and University availability and regulations.

Fixed Charge Schools

University students enrolled in fixed-charge graduate schools are assessed tuition and fees based on their residency status and school of enrollment.

Variable Charge Programs University students enrolled in variable-charge graduate programs are assessed tuition and fees based on their residency status, school of enrollment, and enrollment credits. For tuition and fee assessment purposes, enrollment credits are classified as either regular credit, non-topical research, or audit.

For information on course classification and academic requirements, contact the appropriate school.

Student Account Holds

The following are descriptions of finance holds and instructions for resolving holds that commonly appear on student accounts. Many of these holds are the result of charges placed by departments other than SFS. You should contact the department placing the charge directly, as details about the charges are usually not provided to SFS.

Student Finance Hold

The Student Finance Hold (SFH) applies to students who have a past-due balance and do not have sufficient scheduled resources (such as anticipated financial aid, scholarship funding, payment plans, third party sponsorship, and/or VA benefits) to cover the balance due. 

This hold prevents students from enrolling in courses for future terms and changing courses for the current term during the drop/add period. Students can review their account through SIS and can contact Student Financial Services for further information about their past due balances.   Student Finance Holds may also prevent refunds to the student. If this hold is in place on the first Friday of the semester, you may be inactivated as a student for that term. As applicable, your University I.D. card will be deactivated, and Housing, Dining, Cavalier Advantage, and all other student privileges will be unavailable. 

Students are advised to make payment immediately through UVAPay or at the Cashier’s Office in Carruthers Hall; or to contact Student Financial Services to review payment arrangement options in order to release this hold.

Note: Holds are typically released automatically if payment is received through UVAPay. Holds are usually released within 24-36 business hours if alternative payment is submitted, or alternative payment arrangements are secured. 

SFS Transcript Hold

Inactive students who have a past due balance on their student account and who have entered Internal Collections. This hold only prevents students from getting an official transcript. Students can review their “Account Activity” tab in UVAPay to see the charges and amounts that are past due and make payment to resolve the hold.

Student Collections

Students are responsible for payment in full of charges they incur by the due date. Any amount owed to the University including, but not limited to, tuition, fees, room, board, and loans, is considered a receivable to the University. A receivable becomes past due if payment is not received by the payment due date. When a receivable becomes past due a financial hold is placed that prevents students from registering for future terms or making changes to the current term schedule until the balance is paid in full. In addition, degree candidates must meet all financial requirements in order to be eligible for graduation-related privileges, including receiving their diploma and having their degree conferred. Every student who has attended the University since Fall 2012 has been required to sign a Financial Responsibility Agreement by which the student agrees to pay all charges on their student account.

UVA Collections’ primary responsibility is to collect delinquent long-term student loans and delinquent accounts receivables over 120 days from inactive students. Students are referred to internal UVA collections when enrollment with the University is inactivated. See the Collection Timeline below regarding UVA Collections activity and referral process to outside collection agencies at this link. Currently enrolled students are excluded from the collection process. The aging date for receivables derives from the original due date of the charges posted on the student account.  

UVA Collections assists students to identify options for paying their past due account balances.

Collecting delinquent debts involves multiple communications methods including written, verbal, and in person. All students are managed through internal UVA Collections prior to being referred to outside collection agencies. If you received notice that your account was referred to a collection agency, all payment arrangements must be made through the collection agency.

Please visit the SFS website to review the Collections Timeline and Payment Plan options.

Set-Off Debt Collection

The Set-Off Debt Collection (SODC) program was enacted by the Virginia General Assembly to provide Virginia agencies with the ability to collect unpaid debts by withholding funds from tax refunds, lottery winnings, and similar payments issued by other state agencies.  For example, funds may be withheld from a debtor’s state income tax refund to pay an overdue receivable held by a Virginia educational institution. The University is required by law to use these programs to collect delinquent outstanding debts.

The SODC Process:

• Prior to entering a debt into the SODC program, UVA Collections will send several written and emailed notifications to the student as indicates in the Collections Timeline, noted above.
• Student Collections continues its collection efforts until notified by the SODC program that the claim has been matched to an outgoing payment from another Virginia agency that is sufficient to settle the debt.
• When notified that a claim is matched, Student Collections verifies whether the debt remains valid (uncollected) and then provides the customer with written notice of the exact amount being withheld, the reason it is owed to the University, the amount of any remaining balance, and information on how to dispute the claim.
• The customer has 30 days from the date the notice was mailed to formally dispute the claim by contacting Student Collections (sfs@virginia.edu).

Note: Funds collected through the SODC program are not applied to University debt until received from the Commonwealth of Virginia, which can take up to 3 months.

Tax Information

The following information is intended for educational purposes and should not be considered legal or tax advice. Please consult your professional tax advisor or attorney for more information and to determine your eligibility. The University cannot provide legal or tax advice to individuals.

A student who is eligible to receive a 1098-T form can access it online through SIS and UVAPay as soon as it is available each year for which they are eligible. 1098-T forms are required to be made available each year by January 31st. The 1098T WILL NOT include fellowship stipend amounts. Authorized users in UVAPay should use this link to log in. Not an authorized user? Here’s how to establish authorized access in UVAPay.

In all matters related to the tax implications of education expenses, Student Financial Services staff are unable to advise parents and students. We strongly encourage you to speak with a qualified tax advisor. Please refer to official IRS policies for information about 1098-T forms, education credits and other tax benefits for education. In all cases, when claiming a tax credit or deduction, the taxpayer’s financial records serve as the official supporting documentation for calculating the amount being claimed. 

1098-T Forms

Colleges and universities are required under Internal Revenue Code Section 6050S to issue the Form 1098-T for the purpose of determining a taxpayer’s eligibility for various tax credits and/or deductions. The form is informational only. 

UVA reports payments received for qualified tuition and related expenses (QTRE) on IRS Form 1098-T. Box 1 will show the total payments received for QTRE in the reporting calendar tax year (January 1 - December 31), from any source. 

Students can access their 1098-T form online through SIS and UVAPay as soon as it is available each year. 1098-T forms are required to be made available by January 31st.

After January 31st, to view your 1098-T form:

1. Student UVAPay Login: students access UVAPay from the dashboard of the Student Information System (SIS) account.
2. Authorized User UVAPay Login. Not an Authorized User? Here’s how to establish authorized access in UVAPay.

The 1098-T form is informational only and should not be considered as tax advice. It serves to notify students they may be eligible for federal income tax education credits such as the Lifetime Learning Credit and the American Opportunity Credit as part of their Federal Income Tax Return. IRS Publication 970 “Tax Benefits for Higher Education” as well as Chapter 34 of IRS Publication 17 provide additional information on these credits. 1098-T forms report qualifying payments made during the calendar tax year.

More 1098-T information available https://sfs.virginia.edu/tuition-billing/tax-information/1098-t-forms.

Non-U.S. Citizens

UVA is required to comply with U.S. Federal Tax and Immigration Law when making payments to or on behalf of noncitizens of the United States. For international, non-U.S. Citizen, and/or non-U.S. Resident students who receive fellowship payments (sometimes referred to as stipends) or refunds, you may have 14% deducted for taxes prior to refund generation (unless your situation is eligible to claim Treaty Benefits). For more information about the foreign national tax, please visit UVA’s foreign national taxation services webpage.

Scholarship Tax Information

This notice informs you of the possible tax implications of awards you received during the previous calendar year. Please note that tuition remissions will continue to be nontaxable and will not be reported as income to you. The 1986 Tax Reform Act rewrote Section 117 of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax code to limit the exclusion of scholarships or fellowships from income to the amount used for the payment of tuition and “course required fees, books, supplies and equipment” (summarized as “course-related expenses”). Housing and dining are not defined as “course-related expenses”. You should retain receipts for all deductible items. This provision will apply to all recipients regardless of sources of those funds. Other funds paid as a part of a scholarship or fellowship, such as stipends or living allowances, are taxable income. A description of the amount of scholarships to be reported as taxable is included in the instructions for line seven of IRS Form 1040.

A student who is eligible to receive a 1098-T form can access it online through SIS and UVAPay as soon as it is available each year for which they are eligible. 1098-T forms are required to be made available each year by January 31st. The 1098T WILL NOT include fellowship stipend amounts.

The IRS has exempted universities from the requirements to file Form 1099 (statement of miscellaneous income) on scholarships and fellowships. Thus, while these funds may be taxable, you will not be receiving any notification from the University. The University is also not in a position to provide students with tax advice. You may want to consult the IRS or tax counsel as appropriate in the preparation of your income tax returns.

Tuition and Fee Waiver programs

UVA Employee Fee Waiver Program

The primary purpose of the employee comprehensive fee waiver program is to support full-time UVA employees who are part-time UVA students. Full-time salaried faculty (9- or 12-month), ROTC faculty, full-time staff, and health care professionals (including health care employees working 20 hours or 50%) will qualify to have their comprehensive fee waived. Effective Spring 2022, off-Grounds fees are included in the waiver program (the waiver will not apply retroactively to off-Grounds fees). 

Eligibility is determined on a term-by-term basis defined by your employment level (please note, wage employees are not included in the employee waiver program). There are no minimum enrolled credits nor is there a minimum time period of employment required for eligibility. Please visit UVA’s Human Resources website for a comprehensive review of employee education benefits or for Medical employees refer to the Medical Center Educational Assistance program.

For eligible employees, the comprehensive fee waiver will automatically apply to your UVA student account within one business week following your course enrollment and tuition calculation. The waiver applies only to terms of enrollment that begin after the employee’s eligibility begins. For example, if a student becomes a full-time university staff employee in October, and they are taking classes in the fall term, the employee waiver will only apply in the following Spring term and beyond, as long as the person remains a benefits-eligible employee.

Virginia Line of Duty Act (LODA)

The Virginia Line of Duty Act (LODA), established in Title 9.1 of the Code of Virginia and enacted in 1972, provides a waiver of undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees at any public institution of higher education to eligible family members of eligible employees and volunteers killed in the line of duty while serving under certain Virginian Commonwealth occupations (please see Code of Virginia for specific eligible state occupations).

Institutions that grant waivers “shall waive the amounts payable for tuition, institutional charges and mandatory educational fees, and books and supplies¹ but shall not waive user fees such as room and board charges.”²

Eligibility Criteria

According to the Virginia Line of Duty Act, a waiver of undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees³ at any public institution of higher education under the following conditions:

1. The chief executive officer of the deceased individual’s employer certifies that such individual was so employed and was killed in the line of duty while serving or living in the Commonwealth; and
2. The surviving spouse or child is admitted to, enrolls at, attends, and applies to such institution for the waiver. Waiver recipients who meet federal satisfactory academic progress [SAP]⁴ are eligible for renewal of such waiver.

Required Eligibility Documentation

• Verification letter of line of duty death and benefits from employer.
• Proof the deceased is the parent or spouse of the receiving student. 
  • Dependent: Copy of student’s birth certificate for dependent children
  • Spouse: Marriage license for spouse

Application Process

If you meet the eligibility criteria for Virginia Line of Duty Waiver, please submit required eligibility documents to SFS by email to sfs@virginia.edu. Once received, SFS reviews and follows up with an update within 5-15 business days of receipt. If eligible, the waiver will remain effective during the enrollment career as long as SAP continues to be met. 

¹ Books and Supplies: If the books/materials are attached to the course, both the tuition and the books/material will be waived, however, books and supplies not billed by the institution will not be waived. For example, charges referred to a student account from the UVA bookstore are not waived because they are not attached to the course and a Board of Visitor approved fee. See more tuition and fees information at https://sfs.virginia.edu/tuition-billing/tuition-fees 
² “§ 23.1-609. Surviving spouses and children of certain individuals; tuition and fee waivers.” Code of Virginia. https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title23.1/chapter6/section23.1-609/ 
³ Tuition and Fees: Waiver applies to undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees. The waiver excludes graduate tuition and fees, and additional charge categories such as Housing and Dining. See more tuition and fees information at https://sfs.virginia.edu/tuition-billing/tuition-fees 
⁴ SAP: To comply with federal satisfactory academic progress (SAP) requirements, at the end of the term of enrollment, the student’s grades will be reviewed to verify the student meets the SAP standards which is a requirement of all financial aid recipients. All undergraduate students must complete 67% of the attempted credits and maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA. If a student is placed on financial aid suspension, the student is no longer eligible for financial aid, including the line of duty benefits, per the code of VA. More information about UVA’s SAP policy and process can be found here: https://sfs.virginia.edu/financial-aid-current-students/current-undergraduate-students/financial-aid-basics/eligibility/satisfactory-academic-progress 

Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP)

The VMSDEP state program  provides up to eight academic semesters of education benefits at Virginia’s public colleges and universities to spouses and children of military service members and veterans who meet the program’s eligibility criteria as outlined on the Virginia Department of Veteran Services (DVS) website.

The application process is managed exclusively through the Virginia Department of Veteran Services (DVS) online portal.

To be eligible for assistance under VMSDEP, an applicant must meet the Virginia Department of Veteran Services’ eligibility requirements. If qualifications are met for this state program of benefits, UVA is notified through the Portal’s online roster.  You can also find a summary of information in the Veterans Education, Training, and Employment flyer (PDF).

Notes:

• Financial Aid: As a state veterans benefit, the VMSDEP will be included as a financial resource in your financial aid offer package and may reduce state grants, University grants, federal loans and work study, and private loans. Each financial aid offer type is different, so the benefit may affect each person’s offer differently.
• Retroactive Waivers: UVA does not apply waivers retroactively. Eligible waivers are applied to current and/or future terms as determined by DVS.

Resources: please visit SFS webpage https://sfs.virginia.edu/tuition-billing/military-benefits/virginia-military-survivors-and-dependents-education-program or VDVS’ webpage for current information. 

Virginia PreK-12 Educators Discount

The School of Education and Human Development (EHD) grants reduced tuition rates to eligible preK-12 educators according to the eligibility guidelines listed on their website. For more information about eligibility and how to apply, please visit: https://education.virginia.edu/special-tuition-application-virginia-prek-12-educators. 

Note, the eligibility criteria and application are managed by the School of Education. If you have further questions about this program, please contact EHD via email at ehd-information@virginia.edu. 

Senior Citizen Waiver Program

Program Eligibility: In compliance with the Code of Virginia’s Section 23 of the Senior Citizens Higher Education Act, senior citizens (persons 60 years of age and older), who have been legally domiciled in Virginia for at least one year may take courses without paying tuition or required fees, except for course materials, under certain conditions. A senior citizen shall only be admitted to a class, tuition-free, after all tuition paying students have been accommodated. Therefore, it is recommended that you contact your school’s Registrar to determine if space is available. Tuition-paying students are given priority.

Courses for Credit: If the senior citizen has taxable income of not more than $23,850 in the preceding year, the individual may take a course for academic credit free of tuition and fees, except for fees established for the purpose of paying for course materials. If you are enrolling for credit, the University requires proof of income eligibility (e.g., a copy of completed current or last calendar year IRS 1040 Form). Please submit this supporting documentation with your completed form.

There is no restriction on the number of courses that may be taken for credit in any term or semester, or on the number of terms or semesters in which an eligible senior citizen may take courses for credit.

Courses for Audit: A senior citizen, regardless of income level, may audit a course that is given for academic credit or take a noncredit course free of tuition and fees, except for fees established for the purpose of paying for course materials.

There is no limit placed on the number of terms or semesters in which a senior citizen who is not enrolled for academic credit may register for courses, but the individual can take no more than three noncredit courses in any one term or semester.

 The two additional conditions listed below shall be met before a senior citizen may take a course under the provisions of this program: 

1. The senior citizen shall meet the appropriate admission requirements of the institution in which the student plans to enroll, and 
2. The senior citizen may be admitted to a course only on a space-available basis after all tuition-paying students have been accommodated. State institutions of higher education may make individual exceptions to this procedure when the senior citizen has completed 75% of the requirements for the degree.

For more information about the Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver and current application process visit the SFS webpage https://sfs.virginia.edu/tuition-billing/billing-payment/view-and-pay-your-bill/senior-citizen-waiver-program or click here to visit the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia’s Fact Sheet.

Tuition and Fee Adjustment Policy

The University of Virginia’s Tuition and Fee Adjustment Policy provides consistency related to student withdrawals from a standard academic semester (term). This adjustment policy is also applicable to students who are in an approved part-time status and withdraw from a class or classes after the add/drop period has ended.

Students who cancel admission, withdraw, or take a leave from the University, voluntarily or involuntarily, before the first day of classes will receive a 100 percent tuition and fee adjustment.

If a student withdraws from the University, tuition and required fees are assessed according to the Institutional Tuition and Fees Adjustment Schedule. The treatment of Federal Aid (Title IV) eligibility and Return to Title IV (R2T4) funds follow the federal guidelines determined by the U.S. Department of Education. The treatment of Non-Federal Aid eligibility and return policies adhere to the respective funding source’s adjustment guidelines. See the Financial Aid section of the Undergraduate Record 2022-23 for more financial aid related withdrawal information.

Institutional Tuition and Fees Adjustment Schedule by Weekly Proration (Graduate and Darden Programs)

The weekly proration schedule applies to Graduate and Darden students at the University. Students enrolled in the School of Law, School of Medicine, or in nonstandard programs follow separate adjustment schedules as outlined below.

The weekly proration adjustment schedule governs how tuition and fees will be adjusted on a percentage basis determined by the school week during which the student withdraws from the University. Other units, such as Housing and Dining, will have their own schedule for determining refunds, and you should consult with those units separately within the Record.

• An enrolled student who withdraws or voluntarily takes a leave from the University on or after the first (1st) day of classes and through the second week of the term will receive 100 percent tuition and fee adjustment.
• A standard semester (term) school week is defined as seven (7) calendar days.
• The first school week begins the first day of the start of the semester (term) period.
• The effective date of withdrawal is determined by the school in which the student is enrolled, and the official withdrawal is recorded within the Student Information System.
• Any resulting credit due to a student because of a withdrawal will first be offset against any other amounts owed to the University.

The weekly schedule of tuition and required fees indicating the amounts a student is/is not responsible based upon when the student’s withdrawal is dated, is as follows:

Weekly Proration Terms and Definitions:

• Academic Degree: Determined by school of enrollment.  Please visit the University Registrar’s Record for a complete list of school programs.
• Effective Date of Withdrawal: the date determined to be the official withdrawal date from the university. The University Registrar supports more information related to an official withdrawal date and “Leaving and Returning to the University.”
• School Week: Defined as seven (7) calendar days that begins on the first day of the program’s classes.
• Standard Semester (Term): Fall and Spring are standard semesters. This includes programs that follow a standard module plan. Students wishing to withdraw from classes during Summer Session or January Term should contact the Office of Summer & Special Academic Programs.
• Withdrawal from the University: Students should consult “Leaving and Returning to the University” in the University Record for details specific to their school’s withdrawal policies.

Institutional Tuition and Fees Adjustment Schedule by Daily Proration (Law and Medicine)

The daily proration adjustment schedule governs how tuition and fees will be adjusted on a percentage basis determined by the day on which the student withdraws from the University.  The daily proration schedule applies only to students in the School of Law and the School of Medicine. All other students at the University follow the Weekly Proration Schedule or the nonstandard adjustment scehduel based on program. (See specific program for details.)

• An enrolled student who withdraws or voluntarily takes a leave from the University on or after the first (1^st) day of classes and through the seventh (7^th) day of the term (first week) will receive a 100 percent tuition and fee adjustment.
• An enrolled student who withdraws or voluntarily takes leave on or after the eighth (8^th) day of the term but before the date when they will have completed 60 percent of the term will have their institutional charges adjusted based on a daily proration.
• Percent of term completed is calculated as the total number of calendar days completed divided by the total number of calendar days from the start to the end of the semester (term).  There are no adjustments for holidays or breaks.
• If a student withdraws after completing 60 percent of the term, the student will receive a zero percent adjustment (i.e., will be charged 100 percent of tuition and fees).
• The effective date of withdrawal is determined by the school in which the student is enrolled, and the official withdrawal is recorded within the Student Information System.
• Any resulting credit due to a student because of a withdrawal will first be offset against any other amounts owed to the University.

The daily proration schedule of tuition and required fees between amounts charged and amounts adjusted is as follows:

Daily Proration Terms and Definitions

• Academic Degree: Determined by school of enrollment.  Please visit the University Registrar’s Record for a complete list of school programs.
• Effective Date of Withdrawal: the date determined to be the official withdrawal date from the university. The University Registrar supports more information related to an official withdrawal date and “Leaving and Returning to the University.”
• Percent of term completed: calculated as the total number of calendar days completed divided by the total number of calendar days from the start to the end of the semester (term). 
• School Week: Defined as seven (7) calendar days that begins with the first day of the program’s classes.
• Standard Semester (Term): Fall and Spring are standard semesters. This includes programs that follow a standard module plan.
• Withdrawal from the University: Students should consult their school registrar or the University’s “Leaving and Returning to the University” in the University Record for details specific to their school’s withdrawal policies.

Nonstandard Program Tuition and Fee Adjustment Schedules

School of Education and Human Development – Off-grounds Programs.

The below information applies to Off-Grounds programs in the School of Education and Human Development. For information or assistance, please contact: ehd-information@virginia.edu

Refund Policy: Refunds are determined and processed in accordance with the following policies and schedules:

• Tuition and fees are refunded according to the applicable schedules listed below
• Fees charged by the processor of credit card transactions, currently Nelnet, are not University fees and are not refundable.
• If payment is made by check, there is a 10-day waiting period after the check is posted before a refund can be processed.
• In the event that the school issues a refund in error, it reserves the right to reclaim such funds.
• Refunds are computed based on the date and time requests are received by the EHD School.

Refund schedule for in-person classes:

Refund schedule for web-based (online) and classroom/Internet (hybrid or blended) classes:

School of Continuing and Professional Studies Withdrawal and Adjustment Policy

Information sourced at: https://www.scps.virginia.edu/class-registration/refunds

Course Registration: Your registration for a course commits you to payment of the charges associated with enrollment (tuition and fees). You will not be automatically dropped from a course due to a lack of attendance/participation. If you do not drop a course and do not attend/participate, you will be responsible for all applicable tuition and fees and will receive a failing grade in the course. Any charges that remain unpaid after one year will be sent to a collections agency. If you enroll in the course and decide to drop, you will be charged according to the refund schedule below. 

Refunds are determined and processed by SCPS in accordance with the following policies and schedules:

• Tuition and fees are refunded according to the applicable schedules listed below.
• Fees charged by the processor of credit card transactions, currently Nelnet, are not University fees and are not refundable.
• If payment is made by check, there is a 10-day waiting period after the check is posted before a refund can be processed.
• In the event that SCPS issues a refund in error, it reserves the right to reclaim such funds.
• Refunds are computed based on the date and time requests are received by SCPS.

Refund Schedules

SCPS Credit & Noncredit Classes, including Web-Based (Online) & Classroom/Internet (Hybrid or Blended) Classes

Degrees, Post Bacc Pre-Med, Community Scholar

The refund schedule for classes offered during the Fall and Spring for the School’s degrees, Post Bacc Pre-Med Program, and Community Scholar is governed by the University’s weekly proration refund schedule.

The refund schedule for classes offered during the Summer for the School’s degrees, Post Bacc Pre-Med Program, and Community Scholar is governed by Summer Session.

Summer Session Withdrawal and Fee Adjustment Schedule

Summer session withdrawal and adjustment policy information is sourced at: https://summer.virginia.edu/registration-and-academic-procedures

Withdrawing From a Course

• The withdrawal deadline for each session is noted on the Summer Session Calendars.
• Students may withdraw from a course after the course mid-point and until the withdrawal deadline. A grade of W will appear on the record.
• No refund will be given. See refund schedule for additional information.
• If you have received financial aid for Summer Session, notify Student Financial Services that you are withdrawing from a course. Dropping below 6 credits will result in all summer financial aid being cancelled. Remember all undergraduate and graduate students must take a minimum of 6 credits to receive financial aid.
• Students may not withdraw from 3000- or 4000-level Commerce courses.
• Contact Summer & Special Academic Programs to withdraw.

Adjustment Schedule

The refund schedule is based on calendar days (including weekends) beginning with the class start date.

J-term Withdrawal and Fee Adjustment Schedule

J-term withdrawal information is sourced at: https://januaryterm.virginia.edu/academic-policies

The last day to add a class is Sunday, January 1, 2023. The last day to drop a class is Monday, January 2, 2023. Course changes will be made in SIS. A student who drops a January Term course by the first day of classes on Monday, January 2, 2023 and does not add a new course will receive a full refund.

There will be NO refunds after January 2, 2023.*

Course withdrawal must be completed via email with the Office of Summer and Special Academic Programs. Course withdrawal is permitted up to January 6, 2023. There is NO refund for a course withdrawal.  Email januaryterm@virginia.edu to withdraw from a course.

McIntire School of Commerce Certificate Programs

Certificate program withdrawal adjustment information sourced at: https://sfs.virginia.edu/institutional-tuition-and-fees-adjustment-schedule-certificate-programs.

The McIntire School of Commerce Certificate Programs’ proration adjustment schedule governs how tuition and fees will be adjusted on a percentage basis determined by the date the student withdraws from the program. The below adjustment schedule currently applies to students enrolled in McIntire School of Commerce Certificate Programs. Other programs follow separate adjustment schedules based on enrollment. The adjustments exclude nonrefundable deposits.

Federal Financial Aid Recipients (Title IV funds)

Student Financial Services is required by federal statute to recalculate federal financial aid eligibility for students who withdraw, drop out, are dismissed, or take a leave of absence prior to completing 60% of a semester. Title IV funds are Pell Grant, SEOG, TEACH Grant, Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant, Nursing Loan, Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized, and PLUS loans.

Here’s more detailed information regarding the Return to Title IV process

Upon Your Return to the University

Please note that if you leave the University for any reason and return in a later semester, you will be subject to the tuition and fee rates established by the Board of Visitors for the academic year in which you return, based upon your academic level upon your return. Your school of enrollment can confirm your academic level at the time of your return. 

Tuition Insurance

The University of Virginia has partnered with GradGuard^TM to offer tuition insurance from Allianz Global Assistance, which provides reimbursement for non-refundable tuition expenses in the event a covered student leaves school before the end of the term for a covered reason.

• Tuition insurance is completely optional. The agreement you enter into is with GradGuard, not with the University of Virginia.
• Enrollment is available on a term-by-term basis. 
• *Optional enrollment is required prior to the first day of classes of each term.