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Athletic Scholarships

Athletic Scholarships

The head coaches of Virginia Tech's collegiate teams offer athletic scholarships to student-athletes and non-competitive participants such as videographers and trainers.

VT Athletics
October 16, 2021 – The Virginia Tech Sesquicentennial logo was worn on players’ helmets during Virginia Tech’s Homecoming football game against the University of Pittsburgh. (Photo by Christina Franusich/Virginia Tech).

Athletics and Aid

Athletics-specific aid does not require an additional application such as the FAFSA or General Scholarship Application. University Scholarships and Financial Aid (USFA) recommends all athletes submit a FAFSA to be eligible for aid other than athletic scholarships. Additional sources of financial aid such as Federal Pell Grant and Federal Direct Loans require a FAFSA to be on file.

USFA awards scholarships on the recommendation of the Virginia Tech Athletics Department. The department provides an Athletic Grant-in-Aid (GIA) Letter to student-athletes selected to receive an athletic scholarship. The GIA will indicate the awarding period(s) and what portion(s) of the Cost of Attendance it is to cover. Current student-athletes receiving an athletic scholarship will receive a renewal GIA Letter by July 1st per the NCAA unless the current GIA is a multi-year letter that already compasses the following academic year.

Men's Sports

  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Soccer
  • Swimming and Diving
  • Tennis
  • Track and Field
  • Wrestling

Women's Sports

  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Golf
  • Lacrosse
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming and Diving
  • Tennis
  • Track and Field
  • Volleyball

University Expectations for Retention of Grant-in-Aid

Per NCAA regulations, athletics scholarships may not be reduced or cancelled during the period of the award, except in specific circumstances.  For a single-year scholarship, the “period of the award” begins on the first day of fall class (or first day of the fall practice, if earlier), and ends on the last day of final exams in the spring.  The “period of the award” for a multiyear scholarship would also include the intervening summer terms.

Statement of Regulations Regarding Reduction or Cancellation of Athletic Aid

(NCAA Bylaw 15.3.5 and University Regulations)

Your athletics scholarship may be reduced or cancelled during the period of the award if you:

  • Violate written team rules
  • Render yourself ineligible for intercollegiate competition
  • Engage in serious misconduct warranting substantial disciplinary penalty
  • Fraudulently misrepresents any information on the application for aid, letter of intent or financial aid agreement
  • Voluntarily withdraw from a sport at any time for personal reasons
  • Reduce enrollment to below full-time status at any time during the academic semester
  • Violates a non-athletically related condition outlined in the financial aid agreement
  • Violates a documented institutional rule or policy (e.g., academics policies or standards, Athletics Department or team rules)
  • Provides a written notification of transfer

Statement of Academic Eligibility

(NCAA Bylaw 14 and University Regulations)

In order to remain academically eligible to compete in intercollegiate athletics, you must:

  • Pass 6 semester hours during each regular term of enrollment
  • Pass a combined 18 hours during the Fall and Spring semesters
  • Pass 24 total credit hours prior to the start of the third full-time semester of enrollment
  • Maintain a minimum GPA as determined by academic level
  • Achieve minimum levels of degree completion based on the number of full-time semesters attempted
    • 40% prior to start of 5th semester
    • 60% prior to start of 7th semester
    • 80% prior to start of 9th semester

Renewal and Non-Renewals of Grant-in-Aid

(NCAA Bylaw 15.3.2; NCAA Bylaw 15.3.3; NCAA Bylaw 15.3.4; NCAA Bylaw 15.3.5)

If you received athletics aid during the preceding academic year, written notification regarding the Athletics Department’s intent to renew your award for the upcoming academic year will be provided by July 1.  The Office of University Scholarships & Financial Aid will send notification regarding the renewal of athletics aid.  If the award is not recommended for renewal at the same rate, you have the right to appeal the decision.  Appeal procedures will be included with the notification of reduction or nonrenewal.