Keeping your aid
It's important to remember that students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid before each year of college to determine financial aid eligibility. In addition, to maintain aid, students have to meet satisfactory academic progress. If a student experiences a special circumstance that prevents them from meeting satisfactory academic progress, there are options. The student can file an SAP appeal to have their case reviewed.
Find out more about filing an appeal.
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 Free Application for Federal Student Aid for the current academic year.
Complete Student Verification
Federal Verification Process
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
2026-2027 Federal Verification: https://vcu.verificationgateway.org
2025-2026 Federal Verification: https://vcu.verificationgateway.org
Questions about the verification process?
Contact Inceptia, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Central at 888.374.8427 or VGCS@inceptia.org.
Click to learn more about Inceptia.
Institutional Verification Process
If your FAFSA is selected for verification by Virginia Commonwealth University, you must complete the verification process directly with the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
To ensure that financial aid eligibility can be determined before payment deadlines, students should submit all requested documentation as soon as possible after notification. Failure to submit all required documentation may result in a delay or denial of your financial aid.
Follow these steps to complete institutional verification:
- Review your outstanding financial aid requirements in eServices
- Submit all requested documentation through the method specified by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships
- Monitor your VCU email account for updates or requests for additional information
- Respond promptly to any follow-up requests to ensure your verification can be completed
Important Deadlines
2025-26 award year: A student must submit all verification documents to the institution no later than 120 days after the student’s last date of enrollment for the 2025-26 award year or September 19, 2026, whichever is earlier.
2026-27 award year: A student must submit all verification documents to the institution no later than 120 days after the student’s last date of enrollment for the 2026-27 award year or September 12, 2027, whichever is earlier.
Questions about the institutional verification process?
Contact the Student Financial Management Center for assistance with verification requirements, required documentation, or deadlines.