Financial Aid FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Students whose disbursed or authorized financial aid exceeds their charges may have a Title IV credit balance (or federal financial aid refund due). Starting on the Thursday before the start of classes until the Tuesday after the first week of classes, students with a credit balance can use those funds to charge books and supplies at the bookstore up to the amount of the credit balance or $1200 maximum. The amount of the credit balance will show on the student’s FAST PASS which is accessed through the VU-x portal.

The charge for books and supplies purchased this way will appear as a charge on the student’s billing account. There is no requirement to use a credit balance to purchase books and supplies at the bookstore. To opt out, a student can simply not use a FAST PASS and purchase books and supplies on their own.

Some courses have a first-day e-book charge that shows on the students' billing accounts. To opt out of that kind of book charge, students in these courses will need to follow the directions in the email they receive from the Old Post bookstore.

To use a FAST PASS or to allow financial aid to pay for first-day e-book charges, a student must authorize VU to pay non-institutional charges. That authorization can be found on the financial aid card in VU-x under “View if you have any outstanding requirements.” Remaining credit balances based on federal financial aid will be disbursed to students up to 14 days after the start of classes or up to 14 days after the funds have been posted to the students’ billing accounts.

Files:

2025 - 2026 Newsletter (View Online & Print)