Frequently Asked Questions

UVA Advance is an intentionally small program, especially compared to those at other large universities. We strive for a cohort of no more than 60-65 students each year. This contributes to a program in which every student is personally known by peers and staff and allows us to cater informal activities to student interests. 

While roommates are assigned randomly, we will do our best to take into consideration some preferences regarding daily habits. Students will be sent a questionnaire prior to the program start. Please note that students may not request a specific roommate and we deliberately try to place students with a roommate from a different school district than their own. 

Dining is included in the program cost. Dining plans are connected to student ID cards issued when students arrive on-Grounds. If students run low on dining “swipes” program staff will add more. 

Yes, students have free range of University Grounds between the hours of 6am and 10pm.

Yes! Students can arrange to go into town with friends as long as they have permission from the program director and keep RCAs informed of their plans. 

We encourage students not to go home overnight during the program and require written parental requests in advance for overnight absences.

Students and families are responsible for the following additional costs associated with the program:

• Travel to and from Charlottesville 
• Textbooks and school supplies (many professors upload digital materials rather than assigning physical texts; check with course instructors about what is necessary to purchase)
• Laundry (RCAs will show you how to link a debit card to the laundry app in the dorm)
• Spending money 
• Spending money varies by student. Consider how often you might want to order takeout or go to the movies on the weekend to get a sense of how much spending money you will want.

Credits typically transfer to other institutions of higher education, though we cannot make that guarantee. Other universities often request the course syllabus, so it’s a good idea to save those! 

Both official and unofficial transcripts can be requested from the Registrar’s office. 

Make sure to include the transcript of your classes when applying to undergraduate admission at UVA (they will not automatically show up on your application). There are also options within the application where you can add additional information about your connection to the University. 

Specific regulations for using 529 Plan funds vary by plan, so parents should begin by reaching out to their specific plan administrator. More information regarding 529 Plans and UVA payments can be found on the Student Financial Services webpage. 

We offer a small number of need-based financial aid packages each year. Interested students need to upload the financial aid application materials (this is actually attached after submitting the required materials). 

Our admissions team reviews applications and makes admissions decisions independent of financial need; we then send any financial aid applications from our admitted students to Student Financial Services. SFS reviews the financial aid applications and sends us their determinations about student need. We then meet the financial needs of as many students as possible, beginning with those SFS has identified as highest financial need. Some years we are able to meet the needs of all applicants and other years we are not. Either way, students know their financial aid status prior to the deadline to accept or decline an offer of admission (if applicable). Our maximum aid package covers the full cost of tuition and fees for Virginia residents ($6,995 for 2025).