• Submit your FAFSA using Vanguard's school code: 001293 by the May 2, 2024 priority deadline to be considered for all federal and state grants, federal loan(s), and need-based institutional scholarships.
  • • You (and your contributor(s) if you are Dependent) must obtain an FSA ID to electronically sign your FAFSA
    • For the 2024-25 FAFSA, you must consent and approve the use your (and your parent(s) if you are a Dependent) 2022 tax information to be considered for federal and state grants, federal loans, and need-based institutional aid.
• Verification: Your FAFSA application may be selected at random for verification by the Federal Processor. If your application is selected, the Federal Processor will provide notification on your FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS). You must provide the Financial Aid Office with all documents by uploading to Self-Service under Financial Aid as soon as possible. Failure to complete verification prior to January 1, 2025, may cause a delay in the disbursement of your financial aid.
• Accept or decline your aid: After you receive your financial aid award notification, log in to Self-Service and under Financial Aid accept or decline all offered financial aid awards.
  • • Only aid that has been accepted will reflect on MyBill and any Registration Statements sent out by the Office of Accounting Operations.
    • Declining unwanted aid removes you from mailing lists for required documents.
• Direct Loan Master Promissory Note & Loan Entrance Counseling: All first-time Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct loan borrowers must complete Loan Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note (MPN) online. If you choose to accept the Direct Loans that have been offered to you, they will not disburse to your student account until you have completed these requirements.
• Federal Work Study: If your financial aid award includes Federal Work Study, you must find employment on campus to begin earning this award. The amount of Federal Work Study you have been offered is the maximum amount you may earn for the spring semester and will not show as a pending source of aid on your MyBill. Visit VUConnect to search for open positions and schedule an interview.
• Office of Accounting Operations: After you submit your enrollment deposit and sign up for classes, you must complete Student Account Clearance. It is highly recommended that you also sign up for eRefund. Visit the Student Accounts Office for additional information regarding your student account.

• File your FAFSA using Vanguard's school code: 001293 by March 2, 2025 at 9:59 Pacific Time, to be considered for all state and federal grants, federal loans, and institutional scholarships.
  • You (and your parents if you are Dependent) must obtain an FSA ID to electronically sign your FAFSA.
  • For the 2025-26 FAFSA, you will use your (and your contributor(s) if you are a Dependent) 2023 tax information. You and your contributor(s) must provide consent and approval to be eligible for federal, state, and/or need-based aid.
• Verification: Your FAFSA application may be selected at random for verification by the Federal Processor. If your application is selected, the Federal Processor will provide notification on your FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS). You must provide the Financial Aid Office with all documents requested as soon as possible by uploading all documentation through Self-Service under Financial Aid. Photos of documents will not be accepted. All documents are required to have a signature, digital signatures are not accepted. Failure to complete verification prior to August 1 may cause a delay in the disbursement of your financial aid.
• Accept or decline your aid: After you receive your financial aid award notification, log in to Self-Service and under Financial Aid accept or decline all offered financial aid awards.
  • Only aid that has been accepted will reflect on MyBill and any Registration Statements sent out by the Office of Accounting Operations.
  • Declining unwanted aid removes you from mailing lists for required documents.
• Direct Loan Master Promissory Note & Loan Entrance Counseling: All first-time Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct loan borrowers must complete Loan Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note (MPN) online. If you choose to accept the Direct Loans offered to you, they will not disburse to your student account until you have completed these requirements.
• Federal Work Study: If your financial aid award includes Federal Work Study, you must find employment on campus to begin earning this award. The amount of Federal Work Study offered to you is the maximum amount you may earn for the year. This award will not show as a pending source of aid on your MyBill. Visit VUConnect to search for open positions and schedule an interview.
• Office of Accounting Operations: After you submit your enrollment deposit and sign up for classes, you must complete Student Account Clearance. If your semester is showing a credit and you desire a refund, it is highly recommended that you also sign up for eRefund. Visit the Student Accounts Office for additional information regarding your student account.

NOTE: For the 2024-25 academic year, complete the 2024-25 FAFSA by the April 2, 2024, Cal Grant priority deadline. 

• Returning students must file a FAFSA using Vanguard's school code is 001293 by the March 2 Cal Grant priority deadline to qualify for any need-based institutional aid that is generally awarded on a first come first served basis until funds are exhausted.
• Verification: If selected for Verification, you will receive official notification from the Department of Education on your FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS). Review the Financial Aid Checklist on Self-Service and upload all required documents as soon as possible. All documents are required to have a wet or digital signature. Financial aid will not be awarded until verification is complete. Failure to submit your verification documents by June 1 will result in a delay in processing and awarding your financial aid and may impact your ability to complete Student Account Clearance.
• Accept or decline your aid: After you receive your financial aid notification, log in to Self-Service and under Financial Aid accept or decline all offered aid.
  • Only accepted aid will reflect on MyBill and any Registration Statements sent out by the Office of Accounting Operations.
  • Declining unwanted aid removes you from mailing lists for required documents.
• Optional - Complete a Direct Loan Master Promissory Note and Loan Entrance Counseling: Only first-time Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Loan borrowers must complete these items. If you completed these requirements your first year at Vanguard, you do not need to complete them in subsequent semesters. If you do not intend to borrow Direct Loans, make sure you decline your loans through Self-Service.
• Optional - Re-apply for a Parent PLUS Loan: If your parent(s) borrowed a Parent PLUS Loan on your behalf in a prior year, and they wish to do so again for the current aid year, they must re-apply online.
• Office of Accounting Operations: Complete Student Account Clearance by the appropriate semester deadline. If your semester is showing a credit and you desire a refund, it is highly recommended that you also sign up for eRefund. Visit the Student Accounts Office for additional information regarding your student account. Failure to complete Student Account Clearance will result in fines, a hold on your account, and/or being dropped from classes.

ATTENTION CREDENTIAL STUDENTS: If you are enrolled in the credential program, you are considered to be a 5th year undergraduate student for federal student aid purposes. Please visit the Credential section below for instructions on how to apply for financial aid.

HOW TO APPLY

1. Apply for an FSA ID in order to sign your FAFSA.
2. For Fall 2024, Spring 2025 or Summer 2025, submit the 2024/25 FAFSA by the March 2 priority deadline. The FAFSA will require you (and your spouse, if applicable) to consent and approve your 2022 tax information to be used for consideration of federal loans and/or TEACH Grant.
3. Verification: Only graduate students who wish to apply for a Federal TEACH Grant or request a Federal Work Study award are required to complete Verification. If selected for Verification, you will receive official notification from the Department of Education on your FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) and must upload the required documentation to Self-Service.
4. Accept or decline your aid: After you receive your financial aid award notification, log in to Self-Service and accept or decline all offered financial aid awards. 
   • Only aid that has been accepted will reflect on MyBill and any Registration Statements sent out by the Office of Accounting Operations.
   • Declining unwanted aid removes you from mailing lists for required documents.
5. First-time Direct Loan Borrowers and New Graduate Students: Complete your Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Loan Entrance Counseling. The Financial Aid Office will not disburse your student loans until these items have been completed.
6. Graduate PLUS Loans: Graduate students interested in borrowing a Graduate PLUS Loan must apply each academic year.
7. Office of Accounting Operations: Complete Student Account Clearance by the appropriate semester deadline. If your semester is showing a credit and you desire a refund, it is highly recommended that you also sign up for eRefund. Visit the Student Accounts Office for additional information regarding your student account. Failure to complete the Student Account Clearance process will result in fines, a hold on your account, and/or being dropped from classes.

For the purposes of federal student aid, all Professional Education students at Vanguard University are considered to be undergraduates.

HOW TO APPLY

1. File your FAFSA using Vanguard's school code is: 001293 by the March 2 priority deadline, to be considered federal and state aid.
   • You (and your parents if you are Dependent) must obtain an FSA ID to electronically sign your FAFSA.
   • For Fall 2024, Spring 2025 or Summer 2025, submit the 2024/25 FAFSA by the March 2 priority deadline. The FAFSA will require you (and your spouse, if applicable) to consent and approve your 2022 tax information to be used for consideration of federal and state grants, federal loan(s) and TEACH Grant eligibility.
2. Cal Grant: Eligible students who may qualify for a Cal Grant must complete the FAFSA by March 2 (or April 2, 2024, for the 2024-25 academic year). Click here for more information regarding eligibility and transcript requirements.
3. Verification: Your FAFSA application may be selected at random for verification by the Federal Processor. If your application is selected, the Federal Processor will provide notification on your FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS). You must upload all required documents through Self-Service. Failure to complete verification prior to the first day of class for the term will cause a delay in the awarding or disbursement of your financial aid.
4. Accept or decline your aid: After you receive your financial aid award notification, log in to Self-Service and accept or decline all offered financial aid awards.
   • Only aid that has been accepted will reflect on MyBill and any Registration Statements sent out by the Office of Accounting Operations.
   • Declining unwanted aid removes you from mailing lists for required documents.
5. Direct Loan Master Promissory Note & Loan Entrance Counseling: All first-time Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct loan borrowers must complete Loan Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note (MPN). If you choose to accept the Direct Loans that have been offered to you, they will not disburse to your student account until you have completed these requirements.
6. Federal Work Study: If your financial aid award includes Federal Work Study, you must find employment on campus to begin earning this award. The amount of Federal Work Study you have been offered is the maximum amount you may earn for the year and will not show as a pending source of aid on your MyBill. Visit VUConnect to search for open positions and schedule an interview.
7. Federal Parent PLUS Loan for Dependent Students: If you are a dependent student according to the FAFSA, your parent may apply for a Parent PLUS Loan on your behalf to assist with your school related expenses. 
8. Office of Accounting Operations: After you submit your enrollment deposit and sign up for classes, you must complete Student Account Clearance. It is highly recommended that you also sign up for eRefund. Visit the Student Accounts Office webpage for additional information regarding your student account.

Credential students are considered to be undergraduates for financial aid purposes, must be enrolled in 12+ units per semester to be considered full-time, and are subject to undergraduate-level loan limits.

FAFSA TIP: When completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), credential students must provide the following answers:

• • When you begin the 20XX-20XX school year, what will be your grade level?
    • Answer: 5th year/other undergraduate
  • When you begin the 20XX-20XX school year, what degree or certificate will you be working on?
    • Answer: Teaching credential (non-degree program)
  • At the beginning of the 20XX-20XX school year, will you be working on a master’s or doctorate program?
    • Answer: No

HOW TO APPLY

1. File your FAFSA using Vanguard's school code is: 001293 by the March 2 priority deadline to be considered for all federal and state grants, and/or federal loans.
   • You (and your parents if you are Dependent) must obtain an FSA ID to electronically sign your FAFSA.
   • For Fall 2024, Spring 2025 or Summer 2025 complete the 2024-25 FAFSA: The 2024-25 FAFSA will require your consent and approval to use your (and your parent(s) if you are a Dependent student) 2022 tax information.
2. Cal Grant Teacher Credential Program: Undergraduate Cal Grant recipients who received a Cal Grant payment within 15 months of starting a credential program at Vanguard University may qualify for a one-year extension of their Cal Grant award. Students who may qualify should complete a G-44 Renewal form. See the Cal Grant section of Grants and Scholarships for more information and transcript requirements.
3. Federal TEACH Grant: Students who can commit to teaching in a high-need field for 4 years within 8 years of graduation should apply for a Federal TEACH Grant. Students must complete 1) An Agreement to Serve, 2) Entrance Counseling and 3) A Vanguard University TEACH Grant Application to apply.
4. Verification: Your FAFSA application may be selected at random for verification by the Federal Processor. If your application is selected, the Federal Processor will provide notification on your FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS). You must upload all required documents requested to Self-Service. Failure to complete verification prior to the first day of class will cause a delay in the awarding or disbursement of your financial aid.
5. Accept or decline your aid: After you receive your financial aid award notification, log in to Self-Service and accept or decline all offered financial aid awards.
   • • Only aid that has been accepted will reflect on MyBill and any Registration Statements sent out by the Office of Accounting Operations.
     • Declining unwanted aid removes you from mailing lists for required documents.
6. Direct Loan Master Promissory Note & Loan Entrance Counseling: All first-time Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct loan borrowers must complete Loan Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note (MPN). If you choose to accept the Direct Loans that have been offered to you, they will not disburse to your student account until you have completed these requirements.
7. Federal Work Study: If your financial aid award includes Federal Work Study, you must find employment on campus to begin earning this award. The amount of Federal Work Study you have been offered is the maximum amount you may earn for the year and will not show as a pending source of aid on your MyBill. Visit VUConnect to search for open positions and schedule an interview.
8. Federal Parent PLUS Loan for Dependent Students: If you are a dependent student according to the FAFSA, your parent may apply for a Parent PLUS Loan on your behalf to assist with your school related expenses. 
9. Office of Accounting Operations: After you submit your enrollment deposit and sign up for classes, you must complete Student Account Clearance. It is highly recommended that you also sign up for eRefund. Visit the Student Accounts Office for additional information regarding your student account.

Verification is the federal process of verifying or that the information reported on the FAFSA is accurate. Roughly 30% of all FAFSAs filed are randomly selected for verification by the Department of Education. Vanguard University can also select students to complete verification.

If you were selected for Verification by the Department of Education, you will be notified on your FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) via email or by mail after successfully completing the FAFSA. All missing requirements will appear in the Financial Aid Checklist on Self-Service. Any revisions made to your FAFSA can also cause your FAFSA to be selected for verification, even if a prior FAFSA was not selected.

Verification must be completed in order to receive the following financial aid: Federal aid (Pell Grant, FSEOG Grant, Perkins Loan, Work-Study, Subsidized Loan), California State aid (Cal Grant, Chaffee Grant) and institutional aid (Vanguard Need Grant and any other need-based grants or scholarships). If submitting a Special Circumstance Appeal, verification will need to be completed first before the Special Circumstance Appeal is considered.

For students who have only been awarded non-need-based aid (such as an academic scholarship, athletic scholarship, VA benefits, Parent PLUS loan, Graduate PLUS loan, or Unsubsidized Loan) verification may not be required. However, disbursement of non-need-based aid will not occur until verification has been completed, or until the Financial Aid Office determines verification is not required.

The Financial Aid Office may be required to verify the following data elements on your FAFSA:

V1 -- Standard Verification Group: Students in this group must verify the following if they are tax filers:

• Adjusted gross income (parent and student, if the student is dependent)
• Taxes paid (parent and student, if the student is dependent)
• Education credits
• Untaxed portions of IRA distributions
• Untaxed portions of pensions
• IRA deductions and payments
• Tax-exempt interest income
• Household size
• Number in college (excluding parents for a dependent student)

Students who are nontax filers must verify the following:

• Income Earned from Work
• Household size
• Number in college (excluding parents for a dependent student)

V4 -- Custom Verification Group. Students must verify high school completion status and identity/statement of educational purpose (SEP).

V5 -- Aggregate Verification Group. Students must verify high school completion status and identity/SEP in addition to the items in the Standard Verification Group (V1).

Important Tips for Completing the Verification Process

• Complete all requested forms in full: Do not leave any questions blank. All questions must have an answer even if it is a "0".
• Be sure all required signatures have been provided.
• Submitting your FAFSA by the March 2 deadline and completing verification is required before aid can be awarded (only pertains to returning students).
• During peak processing times, please allow extra time for processing your verification documents. To expedite your financial aid award, file your FAFSA as early as possible and upload all required documents. Please make sure all documents have your Student ID and a wet signature. Once uploaded, it will say pending review until the Financial Aid Office has reviewed, which then it will change to a received status.
• Once verification begins, you may be asked to submit additional documentation. If this occurs, an incomplete document(s) notification will be sent to your Vanguard email. All requested documents can be viewed on Self-Service under Financial Aid.

The documents that you are required to submit will be posted as missing requirements on the Financial Aid Checklist in Self-Service. Please note this is not an exhaustive list; specific documents requested will be based on a family's individual case.

• The tax information from the prior-prior year for both parent and student, if the student is dependent (see further down for more information about acceptable documentation).
• Dependent or Independent Verification Worksheet
• If you will not and are not required to file taxes, be sure to submit all W-2's to document earnings from work.

For 2024-2025, 2022 federal tax information was reported on the FAFSA and must be provided if you are selected for verification. For 2025-2026, 2023 federal tax information will be reported on the FAFSA and must be provided if you are selected for verification.

Graduate students selected for verification must only complete verification if they are interested in federal work study opportunities on campus or participating in the federal TEACH grant program.

Options for Submitting Tax Data to the Financial Aid Office

For Tax Filers

If you have filed your federal tax return prior to completing your FAFSA:

For Non-tax Filers

Not everyone is required to submit a tax return. If you were not required to submit a 2022 Federal Tax Return, you will need to submit an IRS Verification of non-filing Letter form with required documentation attached available in the Forms (Coming Soon: 2024-2025) section. If you cannot provide the non-filing letter, please provide the following:

• A signed and dated statement certifying --
  • That the individual is not required to file a 2022 income tax return; and
  • The sources and amounts of earnings, other income, and resources that supported the individual(s) for the 2022 tax year
• A copy of IRS Form W-2 for each source of 2022 employment income received or an equivalent document.

Important: Parents of dependent parents or independent student and spouse, who are non-filing, must submit an IRS Verification of non-filing Letter form, IRS form 13873. 

Dependent students who did not file, are only required to complete the Non-filing Letter form.

Submitting Tax Data when you have Unusual Circumstances (Extension, Amended Return, Identity Theft, Filed Non-IRS Tax Return)

Individuals Granted a Filing Extension by the IRS

For an individual who is required to file a 2022 IRS income tax return and has been granted a filing extension by the IRS beyond the automatic six-month extension for tax year 2022 the student must submit the following:

• A signed statement listing the sources of any 2022 income and the amount of income from each source;

• A copy of the IRS's approval of an extension beyond the automatic six-month extension for tax year 2022; 

• A copy of IRS Form W-2 for each source of 2022 employment income received or an equivalent document; and

• If self-employed, the signed statement must indicate the amount of estimated AGI and U.S. income tax paid for tax year 2022.

• If a dependent student files an extension, the student must also submit the IRS Verification of Non-filing Letter.

Individuals Who File an Amended IRS Income Tax Return

If an individual filed an amended IRS income tax return for tax year 2020, please provide the following:

• A transcript or an ROA transcript can be obtained from the IRS that lists tax account information of the tax filer for tax year 2022; and
• A signed copy of the IRS Form 1040X that was filed with the IRS.

Individuals Who were Victims of Identity Theft

If you were a victim of identity theft, please provide the following:

• A signed and dated statement indicating that you were a victim of tax-related identity theft, and that the IRS has been made aware of it.
• A copy of the alternate transcript known as the “Transcript Database View” or TRDBV. This meets the requirement of a tax transcript. Filers who believe they are victims of identity theft may call the Identity Protection Specialized Unit (IPSU) toll-free number at 800-908-4490 directly or go to the ID theft website. After the IPSU authenticates the tax filers identify, the tax filer can request that the IRS mail to the tax filer a TRDBV transcript.

Individuals Who Filed Non-IRS Tax Returns

• A tax filer who filed an income tax return with Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands may provide a signed copy of his or her income tax return that was filed with the relevant tax authority. However, if we question the accuracy of the information on the signed copy of the income tax return, the tax filer must provide us with a copy of the tax account information issued by the relevant tax authority before verification can be completed.

• A tax filer who filed an income tax return with the tax authority for American Samoa must provide a copy of his or her tax account information.

• A tax filer who filed an income tax return with tax authorities not mentioned above, i.e. a foreign tax authority, and who indicates that he or she is unable to obtain the tax account information free of charge, must provide documentation that the tax authority charges a fee to obtain that information, along with a signed copy of his or her income tax return that was filed.

1. We compare the documents and information you provided for verification against the information reported on your FAFSA. This review process can take up to 30 business days after receipt of all verification documents.

2. If no conflicting information is found during our review, we will send an email to your Vanguard email account notifying you that the federal verification process is complete. No changes will be made to your financial aid award.

3. If conflicting information is discovered, we may request additional documents. We will then update your FAFSA information with the information provided from your verification documents. Your Student Aid Index (SAI) may change, and we will determine whether you have gained or lost eligibility for any financial aid awards and revise your aid package as necessary.

4. If your revised SAI changes your financial aid eligibility and we are required to revise your financial aid award, we will send a revised financial aid award email notification to your Vanguard email account.

5. If financial aid has already disbursed to your student account that you are no longer eligible to receive, these funds will be reversed from your student account, and we will send an email to your Vanguard email account. You will then need to make payment arrangements with the Office of Accounting Operations.

6. If certain funds for which you are no longer eligible to receive have been refunded to you, we will report these funds as an "overpayment" to the Department of Education, and you will be responsible for repaying these funds before you can receive further financial aid.

7. Do not make further corrections or changes to your FAFSA while verification is pending, and after verification has been completed.

FRAUD WARNING: If we suspect that a student, employee, or other individual has misreported information or altered documentation to fraudulently obtain federal funds, we will file a report with the Department of Education's Office of the Inspector General. The individual will be required to repay the funds to Vanguard University and will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.

FRAUD WARNING: If we suspect that a student, employee, or other individual has misreported information or altered documentation to fraudulently obtain federal funds, we will file a report with the Department of Education's Office of the Inspector General. The individual will be required to repay the funds to Vanguard University and will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.

A student who wishes to withdraw from the University must take the following actions:

1. Contact the Office of the Registrar and complete an online exit interview.

2. Upon completion of the online exit interview, obtain and fill out an Application for Withdrawal. Obtain the signatures required.

3. Return the Application to the Office of the Registrar for processing and withdrawal from the University will be finalized.

4. The Financial Aid Office will then perform a Return of Title IV funds calculation to determine how much aid the student has earned. Most students will owe a repayment of aid to Vanguard University.

5. The Office of Accounting Operations will determine if the student receives a refund of tuition and fees based on the date the withdraw forms are received by the Registrar’s Office according to the tuition refund schedule (see below).

6. Contact your loan servicer if you do not plan to enroll in another institution as the grace period on your student loan will begin and you must prepare to enter repayment on your student loans.

7. Your Subsidized Loan Limit may be impacted for future studies.

8. Review the PELL Lifetime Eligibility information in the Grants & Scholarships section of our website to learn how your PELL eligibility may be impacted for future studies.

9. Complete Loan Exit Counseling if you were a federal student loan borrower.

Students who stop attending and/or leave the institution without notice will be evaluated as a withdrawal student from the university. The Financial Aid Office will perform a Return of Title IV funds calculation (R2T4) based on the number of days the student attended the term to determine the amount of financial aid they have “earned” during the time they were enrolled at Vanguard. A student may owe a repayment to Vanguard University if they received more aid than they earned.

In the event that a student withdraws from coursework, the following refund schedule (depending on your program) will apply to tuition, room, board, residence life, student services, and/or unused course fees.

Tuition Refunds

The first week of the semester ends at close of business on the third day of classes for the Fall semester and the fifth day of classes for the Spring semester. Weeks following are regular five-day business weeks. Other class schedule formats, such as modules, are prorated accordingly.

Room & Board Refunds

Room and board refunds will be made to students who have withdrawn from the University or have received an on-campus exemption. The refund is based on the refund schedule and is calculated from the established University occupancy date and the actual date of vacancy. Additional fees will apply for students who wish to leave on-campus housing during the term of their housing contract.

Orientation Fee

This fee is non-refundable.

Other Fees

All other fees, including all unused course fees, are refundable based on the refund schedule.

For more information about the refund schedule, contact the Office of Accounting Operations at accountsreceivable@vanguard.edu or call 714.966.5489.