A standardized formula certified by the U.S. Department of Education determines the amount you and your family can contribute toward the cost of your education, regardless of where you attend college. This contribution will be the same whether you attend Hollins, the University of Virginia, Harvard, or Virginia Western. Your financial need is the difference between your family contribution and what it costs to attend Hollins. A typical Hollins financial aid award may include scholarships, federal grants, loans, and work study. Hollins, like most private colleges and universities, distributes larger financial aid awards than public universities.

1. Start by checking "yes" to the financial aid request on your Hollins application for admission. We'll send you the appropriate forms, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), a standard form required by the Department of Education to calculate assistance based on need. You can also submit the FAFSA online directly from our Web site. Our school code is 003715.
2. You'll receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) from the Department of Education with an Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) -- that is, the estimated amount your family can contribute to your education.
3. Hollins calculates the cost of your education (including tuition, books, room and board, personal expenses, transportation) and deducts the EFC to come up with your need -- that is, the difference between what your family pays and Hollins' price. The university is committed to making a Hollins education affordable to students and their families.
4. Many factors are involved in determining a need-based financial aid award: number in family, number in college, Consumer Price Index in the state of residence, assets, business assets, and other financial aid resources. From July through January, you can get a early estimate of your financial aid from Hollins by completing the Early Decision Financial Aid Estimate.

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