How to apply for aid
The financial aid application process begins every year on October 1 for the federal award year, which begins the following August. Most students are eligible for financial aid at Virginia Commonwealth University, regardless of financial circumstances.
Since financial aid is a limited resource and distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis, we encourage students to complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid as soon as possible.
Keep reading for our step-by-step checklist on how to apply for aid and then review and receive awards.
Need help?
Get in touch with a financial counselor:
- Current students can log in to Navigate to schedule an appointment or call Student Services at (804) 828-1550.
- If you're a prospective student, email sfmc@vcu.edu for assistance.
The Virtual Student Services Center also can help you find answers to a number of questions about tuition and fees, bills and payments, financial aid and more. It features a live chat option and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Financial aid checklist
Below are detailed instructions you can refer to as you complete the financial aid process. If you are new to VCU, apply for financial aid after submitting your application for a degree or certificate program. An admission decision is not needed before applying for financial aid.
Create a Federal Student Aid ID at fsaid.ed.gov/npas. A FSA ID gives you access to Federal Student Aid’s online systems and can serve as your legal signature. A parent of dependent students will need to apply for their own FSA ID.
Annually complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid at fafsa.ed.gov by the February 1 priority consideration deadline for the upcoming school year The FAFSA application covers the academic period from July 1 to June 30.
- Obtain your VCU eID and create your password. Use your eID to access your official VCU Gmail account. A VCU email account is automatically created for all accepted students. All students are required to activate their official VCU student email account within one week of the beginning of the first semester of enrollment.
- Email is the official method for communication at VCU because it delivers information in a convenient, timely, cost effective, and environmentally aware manner.
- VCU Financial Aid uses email to provide financial aid information, to request documentation to support financial aid application data, and to provide financial aid application status and award information.
The Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) application will consider Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), undocumented or nonimmigrant students for state and some VCU need-based financial aid programs. Students should annually complete the VASA application by the February 1 priority consideration deadline for the upcoming school year.
The VASA Application is found here at SCHEV.EDU.
There are many eligibility requirements for state, institutional and/or federal aid to be awarded. These requirements from the U.S. Department of Education may be found on your Student Aid Report located at fafsa.ed.gov.
Verification
If your FAFSA was selected for verification by the U.S. Department of Education and you have accepted your offer of admissions at VCU, then you may need to complete the verification process with Inceptia Verification Gateway.
We are pleased to announce we have established a partnership with Inceptia to expedite the federal verification process for Virginia Commonwealth University. Verification Gateway (VG) from Inceptia is an online portal to guide students and parents through verification.
If your FAFSA application is selected for verification by the U.S Department of Education, you will receive an email from VGCS@inceptia.org, or postcard from Inceptia, containing Virginia Commonwealth University’s unique website link to start the verification process.
We encourage you to begin the verification process within 7 days of receiving notification from Verification Gateway to ensure you receive your financial aid in time for payments. Failure to complete the verification process could result in the delay or denial of your financial aid.
Follow these steps to complete your verification.
- Access our school’s unique website link in the email from VGCS@inceptia.org or listed below.
- Create your account* and choose preferences for text messages and e-signatures.
- Complete your Task List.
- Confirm your signature and review your information.
- Sign your account.
*If you are a dependent student, your parent also needs to create their own account and complete each of these steps.
Virginia Commonwealth University’s Verification Gateway Links and Deadlines
2022-2023 Federal Verification: https://vcu.verificationgateway.org
2023-2024 Federal Verification: https://vcu.verificationgateway.org
Questions about the verification process?
Contact Inceptia, Monday through Friday 8 am – 7 pm Central at 888.374.8427 or VGCS@inceptia.org.
Review financial aid awards at eServices. Review the eligibility requirements for the awarded aid. Initial financial aid awards are based on full-time enrollment for both the fall and spring semesters. Awards are subject to change if your eligibility and/or enrollment changes. Full-time enrollment is defined as 12 or more credit hours per semester for undergraduate students.
Report outside scholarships by completing the Scholarship Form. If you are receiving scholarships or other tuition benefits from organizations, community groups or other agencies, it is necessary for you to complete the VCU Scholarship Form. These additional funding sources can affect the financial aid offered to you by VCU.
Complete both the Title IV Authorization questions and the Electronic Consent at eServices. Federal financial aid guidelines require that VCU obtains your Voluntary Consent to Participate in Electronic Transactions and collects your decision regarding how you want your federal financial aid funds applied to your student account charges.
Title IV Authorization questions on eServices:
- Click on the Financial Aid Tab
- Click on Award
- Click on Award for Aid Year
- Select the current award year
- Click in the Terms and Conditions Tab
- Read the Terms and Conditions and choose to click the accept button
Electronic Consent on eServices:
- Click on the Financial Aid Tab
- Click on Award
- Click on Award for Aid Year
- Select the current award year
- Click in the Rights and Responsibilities Tab
- Read the Terms and Conditions and choose to click the accept button
Accept or decline loans and federal work-study aid on eServices:
- You must complete the Title IV Authorizations and Electronic Consent in order to accept offers of awarded Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans and/or Federal Work-study funds.
- Click on the Financial Aid Tab
- Click on Award
- Click on the Award for the aid year
- Select the current year
- Click on Accept or Decline Award Offer Tab
- Select accept or decline next to the loans that you want to borrow and/or want to decline
To apply for a Federal Work-Study job, visit vcu.joinhandshake.com.
Complete Federal Loan Entrance Counseling. All first-time loan borrowers must complete an entrance counseling session to borrow from the Direct Loan Program.
Complete a Federal Loan Agreement (Master Promissory Note) If you accept a Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan, you are required to complete an electronic Loan Agreement (MPN) online.
The Annual Student Loan Acknowledgment (ASLA) needs to be completed each year you accept a new federal student loan. By completing, you are acknowledging that you understand your responsibility to repay your loan.
Complete a Federal PLUS Loan Application online if necessary. If you are a dependent student needing additional funds, your parent may apply for a Federal Direct PLUS Loan online. The maximum PLUS loan amount your parent can borrow is the annual cost of attendance minus any estimated financial aid.
Submit a Direct Deposit bank authorization to VCU’s Department of Student Accounting.
- When financial aid funds exceed university charges, you will receive a refund to assist you with the purchases of books, supplies, and other educational or living expenses.
- Direct deposit of a refund is faster, easier and more secure than mail delivery of a paper check.
- Please sign up for direct deposit to have any refund deposited directly to your bank account.
Complete a Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Release of Information form. Once a student is enrolled, the university must have a FERPA Student Consent Form for the VCU Office of Financial Aid to discuss your financial aid records.
Log in to eServices to check the status of your financial aid. Forms for many outstanding items can be found on our website. Should you have any questions about your status, please contact your financial counselor.
Need to apply for summer aid?
Students who receive financial aid during the regular school year and anticipate enrolling for a summer session should plan their budget ahead of time. To be considered for summer aid, students must have completed the FAFSA for the prior academic year.