Admissions

Your eID is your key to everything VCU! Visit the identity claim page to activate your eID and set up your account, which authorizes the use of VCU’s electronic services. You will also need to set up Duo Mobile, VCU’s Two-Factor Authentication system. Your eID lets you do things like:

• Accept your offer of admission
• Log in to your VCU email account
• Register for classes
• Use the myVCU portal
• Use VCU’s wifi

Note: You must obtain your eID before you can make a reservation to attend Orientation, apply for housing or access your VCU email account.

Say yes to VCU and become a Ram! Visit the VCU Application Portal to complete your Offer of Admission Response form and make it official! 

Please note, both your response form and tuition deposit must be received in order for your account to reflect that you have accepted the offer of admission. Continue to the next step to pay your tuition deposit.

Response deadlines

Students accepted for Fall:

• Respond by May 1 if you were accepted to the university by April 1. If accepted after April 1, respond within two weeks after your acceptance.

Students accepted for Spring:

• Respond within two weeks after your acceptance.

Pay your tuition deposit online

To pay your tuition deposit online, you will need your eID, password, and V-number. Follow these steps: 

1. Log in to eServices using your eID.
2. Click the "Applicants" tab at the top. 
3. Select “Pay tuition deposit” tile.
4. Click "Deposits" at the top of the screen on the purple banner. Follow prompts and enter the desired deposit amount.
   • All students accepted into VCU undergraduate programs, except those accepted into programs in the School of the Arts, must pay a $100 tuition deposit.
   • The tuition deposit for the School of the Arts is $300.
5. Submit your deposit to reserve your spot at VCU.

Note: Both your response form and tuition deposit must be received in order for your account to reflect that you have accepted the offer of admission.

If you’re receiving a scholarship or financial aid, you may request a tuition deposit waiver on the response form. Visit your VCU Application Portal for more information and a link to the form.

Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) designating VCU (school code 003735) to determine your eligibility for financial aid. The 2025-2026 FAFSA is now open and the priority deadline to file is March 1, 2025. The earlier you complete the FAFSA, the sooner VCU can consider you for financial aid to help support your education. If you miss the priority deadline, you should still apply because you may still be eligible for some types of assistance.  

Virginians who are not eligible to file the FAFSA or who have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status may file the Virginia Alternative State Aid Application (VASA) by March 1, 2025, designating VCU (school code 003735) to determine your eligibility for state or institutional need-based aid (not federal financial aid). The VASA only allows one school code. If you completed the VASA with another code, email sfmc@vcu.edu.

Note for spring admits: If you are admitted for the Spring 2025 semester, you must complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA in order to be eligible for a financial aid package.

Continue to check your new VCU email account for award information, required documents to complete your file and additional information.

VCU email is now your official method of communication for all things VCU related. New students should check their VCU email daily to make sure you are completing your next steps.

Please note: VCU will no longer send communications to your personal email accounts once you have accepted your admission and are now an official VCU Ram!

As a new Ram, please join us at any of our upcoming admitted student events. Join us for a full day or for just a few hours to get a preview of life as a VCU Ram. 

Ready to get social? Follow us today! Instagram/Facebook/YouTube

Orientation is required for first-year students, transfer students and adult learners, and international students. It is encouraged for students who are returning to VCU after being away for more than two years. Think of it as your formal introduction to VCU!

Students are encouraged to register a family member or supporter to participate in VCU Orientation as well.

Orientation registration opens on the following dates:

• Students accepted for fall: April 1
• Students accepted for spring: Nov. 1

To learn more and find links to begin your Orientation registration, please visit the Orientation website or contact newrams@vcu.edu.

Note: You can typically access the Orientation registration within 2-3 business days of VCU processing your tuition deposit.

Housing

You can learn more and apply for on-campus housing at Residential Life and Housing using the online application when it becomes available. We must receive your Offer of Admission Response form and your tuition deposit before you can apply for on-campus housing. Please note that it takes 2-3 business days for VCU to process your deposit.

In addition, you must be registered for Orientation to be eligible for an on-campus housing assignment. You can apply for housing before registering for Orientation, but we cannot assign you housing until you are registered for Orientation.

On-campus housing assignments are made during the summer months for students accepted for fall or on a rolling basis for students accepted for spring.

Explore our virtual tour to learn more about our on-campus housing options!

Housing application open dates:

• Students accepted for Fall: April 2, 2025
• Students accepted for Spring: Early October

For students who choose to live off campus, visit the Off-Campus Housing website to explore your options. If you have questions, please reach out to the Office of Student Advocacy.

Dining

VCU Dine has many on-campus dining options to fuel your 8 a.m. classes, your late nights and everything in between, all with a swipe of your VCUCard, your student ID. VCU Dine offers a variety of dining plans and meal options for students.

Apply for financial aid, scholarships and learn how to pay your bill:

• The 2025-2026 FAFSA is now open, with March 1, 2025 as the priority deadline to file. The earlier you complete the FAFSA, the sooner VCU can consider you for financial aid to help support your education. Virginians who are not eligible to file the FAFSA, or who have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, may file the Virginia Alternative State Aid Application (VASA) by March 1, 2025. If you miss the priority deadline, you should still apply because you may still be eligible for other types of assistance.
  
• Check your new VCU email account for award information, required documents to complete your file and additional information.
  
• Any scholarships or tuition assistance from outside of VCU should be sent to the Student Accounting Department or delivered in person to the Student Financial Management Center. Detailed instructions are provided on the Student Financial Services website. You can also explore additional VCU scholarship opportunities here. 
  
• If you plan to use military benefits to pay your bill, please connect with Military Student Services (MSS).
  
• Review VCU tuition and fees and all of your payment options, including our Installment Payment Plan. A helpful tool is our Financial Planning Worksheet which can assist you in determining if you will owe a “gap balance.” Please note that your final bill will not be available until after you register for classes.

Have questions about financial aid?

All admitted VCU students have an assigned financial counselor as part of their student success care team. To make an appointment with your counselor, visit the Student Financial Management Center.

Sending your test scores and transcripts to VCU can help you place into higher level coursework and/or earn college credit. You also must send your final high school transcript to finalize your admissions process.

Final high school transcripts

Final high school transcripts must be received by Aug. 1 for fall or Jan. 15 for spring starts. VCU Financial Aid will not disburse your awarded funds until VCU has received your final transcript. Request to have your final high school transcripts sent to the VCU Office of Admissions as soon as possible before classes start.

Your high school can send your transcripts using one of the following methods:

• Official transcripts can be submitted through a secured electronic system, such as Parchment Exchange or National Clearinghouse, directly to the VCU Office of Admissions.
• Via U.S. postal mail to:
  Virginia Commonwealth University
  Office of Admissions
  Box 842526
  Richmond, VA 23284

We are unable to accept transcripts sent through fax, email or the student portal, as they are considered unofficial. If your high school cannot provide final transcripts by the deadline outlined above, please have them contact the Office of Admissions at (800) 841-3638.

Note: VCU reserves the right to revoke your admission acceptance if your final transcript indicates that you do not meet the criteria for acceptance.

SAT and ACT test scores

If you took the SAT or ACT, you should submit those scores to VCU to receive an equivalent math placement score. 

• How to submit your SAT math score
• How to submit your ACT math score

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate scores

The VCU Transfer Center evaluates your Advanced Placement scores and International Baccalaureate transcripts for college credit, math placement (AP scores of 2 or higher on AP Calculus AB/BC and AP PreCalculus) and chemistry placement (AP scores of 2 or higher on AP Chemistry).  AP scores and/or IB transcripts must be sent to VCU directly, as VCU cannot accept AP or IB credits from a high school or college transcript.

• How to submit your AP scores
• How to submit your IP scores

Dual enrollment transcripts

Students who completed dual enrollment/early college credit while in high school must submit official college transcripts from the dual enrollment college/university to VCU prior to Aug. 1 for fall or Jan. 15 for spring. Official college dual enrollment transcripts should be submitted through a secured electronic system, such as Parchment Exchange or National Clearinghouse, directly to the VCU Office of Admissions. If official electronic transcripts are not available, then the official hardcopy college transcript can be mailed by the college or university to the VCU Transfer Center at 900 Park Ave., Box 842532, Richmond, VA 23284.

You must upload your VCU Certificate of Immunization and supporting documentation to the Student Health Web Portal at least 30 days before starting classes (no later than Aug. 1 for fall or Jan. 15 for spring), or a registration hold will be placed on your account. Students enrolled in a health sciences program may have additional immunization requirements.

Depending upon your major, you may need to take placement tests in order to register for some of your classes. This chart will help you determine which tests are required for your major.

Math placement 

Please refer to the table above to see if you need to take the math placement test. If your major requires MATH 141, MATH 151 or MATH 200 or higher, you will need to take the math placement test unless:

1. You are submitting any math AP or IB exam scores to VCU 
2. You have dual enrollment math credits from another university/college that either satisfy your degree’s math requirements or satisfies the prerequisite for your next math course.
3. You are submitting  SAT or ACT scores and are content with the course placement you are assigned based on those standardized test score(s).

If you have taken the SAT or ACT and have not officially sent VCU your scores, you can follow these steps to send your SAT scores and follow these steps to send your ACT scores. Your scores can take 2-3 weeks to post onto your account after you send them, so be proactive in sending your scores.

You can view your math placement score in your Student Profile in eServices. Please click on “Testing” to see if a score has been posted for you. 

Please visit the VCU Math Placement website for more information and to access the math placement test. You must complete Math Placement prior to your advising appointment.

Chemistry placement

The chemistry placement test is an online test used to place students into an appropriate general chemistry course based on their background knowledge. All students planning on registering for CHEM 101 General Chemistry I are required to take the test. Please review Chemistry Placement FAQs to see if your major requires CHEM 101.

The Chemistry Placement Test is a prerequisite for CHEM 101. Those earning a passing score on the test will be eligible to register for CHEM 101. Those not earning a passing score have two options:

1. Complete the ALEKS online unit. ALEKS must be completed by no later than July 31 (for fall semester) or Jan. 10 (for spring semester).
2. Enroll in CHEM 100 – Introductory Chemistry and earn a B or better.

Visit the VCU Chemistry Placement website for more information and to access the chemistry placement test. You must complete Chemistry Placement prior to your advising appointment.

Foreign language placement

Students who plan to study a language at VCU must take the language placement test to determine the appropriate beginning language class (unless they want to begin in the entry-level course). Only students with transfer credit from other educational institutions are eligible to enroll in the next course within their language sequence without completing the foreign language placement test. The foreign language placement test must be taken online before the first week of classes.

Students who have completed level three of a foreign language at an accredited U.S. public or private high school have fulfilled the Humanities and Sciences foreign language requirement through the 102 level. Learn more on the College of Humanities and Sciences high school foreign language waiver webpage.

Learn more about and sign up for foreign language placement testing.

Help your advisor get to know more about you, your educational goals and your academic background by completing this survey prior to registering for classes. 

The survey will confirm your major, allow you to request a change of major (if desired), ask questions about your incoming AP/IB or Dual Enrollment Credits, and learn more about your course preferences. 

Your academic advisor will use this information to identify your academic strengths and connect you to the offices and services that can help you transition to VCU successfully and make the most out of your degree.

Survey open dates:

• Students accepted for fall: March 15
• Students accepted for spring: Nov. 1

Please note that course registration opens:

• Students accepted for fall: May 1
• Students accepted for spring: Dec. 1

Incoming first-year students will register themselves for classes during the months of May and June for fall admits and during December and January for spring admits.

Follow the suggestions in the recommended first-semester courses for your major worksheets. You can view your full degree requirements and review which of your AP/IB or dual enrollment credits VCU has already received in DegreeWorks. 

This short video will show you how to register for classes in eServices. Once in eServices, click on “register for classes” to get started.  Written instructions on how to add or drop a class, and how to add yourself to a waitlist for a closed class are available on our Advising Tutorials website.

Need more help?

Please join us on Zoom at one of our upcoming 30-minute virtual info sessions to learn how to register for classes on eServices, how to view your degree requirements on DegreeWorks, and how to create your graduation plan. Here are the session dates and times (all are Eastern Standard Time):

May 2, 2025: 3 - 3:30 p.m.
May 7, 2025: 3 - 3:30 p.m.
May 19, 2025: 3 - 3:30 p.m.
May 23, 2025: 3 - 3:30 p.m.
June 4, 2025: 3 - 3:30 p.m.
June 6, 2025: 9:30 - 10 a.m.
June 11, 2025: 7 - 7:30 p.m.
June 13, 2025: 1 - 1:30 p.m.
June 16, 2025: 7 - 7:30 p.m.
June 20, 2025: 2 - 2:30 p.m.
June 26, 2025: 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
June 30, 2025: 1:30 - 2 p.m.
July 16, 2025: 3 - 3:30 p.m.
July 24, 2025: 4:30 - 5 p.m.
Aug. 5, 2025: 2 - 2:30 p.m.
Aug. 13, 2025: 10 - 10:30 a.m.

You should register for at least 15 credits, since you need to earn 15 credits per semester for eight fall and spring semesters in order to graduate in 4 years. In addition, most financial aid and scholarships require you to be registered full-time, which is at least 12 credit hours.

If you need to take a math class in your first semester, we urge you to register for an appropriate math class as soon as you can. Seat availability in math classes is limited.

Many degree plans include a Student Success course as a recommended elective credit in your first semester. All students, regardless of major, are encouraged to register for a section of UNIV101, 103 or 191 in their first semester. These one-credit courses are designed to support your transition to the university and cover a wide variety of topics. Students who enroll in and complete these courses tend to be more successful and graduate on time.

Make sure to write down any questions that you have after registering so that you can bring them to your academic advising appointment. Note: Your class schedule is not confirmed until you attend Orientation, so make sure to register for and attend Orientation!

Incoming undergraduate students may also register for classes during our summer or winter sessions upon request and approval. Please visit the Summer Studies website or Winter Session website for additional details and to access the registration form.

First-year academic advising appointments are held virtually or in-person during the months of June and July for students accepted for fall, and in December and January for students accepted for spring.

Please schedule your mandatory academic advising appointment via Navigate by May 31 for the fall semester or Dec. 1 for spring. Appointments for incoming fall students will be held during the months of June and July. It is very important that you attend your scheduled appointment, as appointment slots are limited and cannot be rescheduled.

In this 30-minute, one-on-one time with your advisor, you will review the courses for which you have registered, make adjustments as necessary, and have time to ask any questions you may have. You will receive an email and text reminder for your upcoming appointment. If you have an extenuating situation, please call our office at 804-827-8648. Incoming students will be able to make an advising appointment on the dates listed below, depending on your start term.

Schedule your advising appointment:

• Students accepted for fall: Between May 15 and May 31 to schedule an appointment in June or July
• Students accepted for spring: By Dec. 1 to schedule an appointment in December or January

To prepare for your appointment, please make sure that you have completed all of the previous steps in this list and have registered for as many courses as you are able to.

VCU issues billing statements electronically, and payment is due at the start of the semester according to the billing schedule. Students will be notified at their VCU email address when their eStatement is available in eServices.

For students starting in fall, the first billing statement is sent the last week in July. For students starting in spring, this bill is typically available in mid-December. To access the portal, students should select the “Make a Payment” tile under the Students - “Accounts” tab in eServices. 

VCU’s Installment Payment Plan offers a convenient method for planning and budgeting educational costs. The plan allows students to divide the cost of tuition, fees, and room and dining plans into four installment payments throughout the semester. IPP is only available in the fall and spring semesters. There is a one-time $25 administrative fee due with the first installment. 

Call Me By My Name is an initiative that allows VCU to recognize you by the name, gender and pronoun by which you identify.

Please also confirm that VCU has your most up-to-date emergency contact information, physical address, phone number and mailing address. Changes can be submitted via eServices.

Every Ram is responsible for taking care of themselves and looking out for fellow Rams. Completing these required trainings will give you the resources you need to be a responsible member of our community and an effective bystander.

Here’s what each training covers:

• AlcoholEdu: Helps you reflect on your drinking behaviors and encourages safe decision-making.
• Sexual Assault Prevention: Teaches you to understand the forms and definitions of violence, identify helpful resources, and learn ways to intervene to prevent violence.
• Human Trafficking Prevention: Shows you how to identify and prevent human trafficking on a college campus, and helps you learn where to go for VCU and community resources.
• Active Shooter Training: Prepares you to understand what to do in an emergency situation.

These training modules will be available in early August. You must complete them all by Sept. 8.

These trainings are required for students taking classes both in-person and online. Access the trainings and learn more about required trainings for new students.

VCU employs a no car policy for first-year residential students. First-year students who can demonstrate a compelling need to have a vehicle can petition for an exemption. Review the exemptions and waiver process on the First-Year Parking website. 

For students living off campus or commuting from home, you can review parking options and rates through Parking & Transportation. Fall/spring parking is sold on a first-come/first-served basis on the Monroe Park Campus, and via a parking lottery on the MCV Campus.

After you have registered for classes, you can determine what textbooks, software programs, or platforms are needed for each of your classes. VCU’s bookstore offers a tool to search for needed course materials, such as textbooks, computer/electronics and an on-campus technology repair store to meet your needs. Note: Your course materials may not be uploaded until closer to the start of the semester.

All VCU students are required to have a personal computer.  You can also review the suggested computer list for your college or school.

VCU faculty, staff and students are automatically signed up for VCU Alert text messages. Please ensure you have the most up-to-date Mobile or Cell Phone Number (Primary) field on your personal information page of the eServices/ VCU Self Services website.

If you do not have a phone number listed, please add one by selecting “Add New” in the Phone Number field. Make sure it is listed as a Mobile or Cell Phone Number and the checkbox for “Primary” is checked.

Family members of new first-year and transfer students are strongly encouraged to participate in Orientation. As important partners in your success, we have designed Orientation programs just for your family and supporters that will happen in tandem with your student Orientation experience. We would love to connect them with the faculty, staff and fellow students you will be supported by throughout your VCU journey.

Family members can connect and join various communities on the Ramily Connection Portal and sign up for our monthly Ram Family Update. The Ram Family Update is a monthly e-newsletter for families and supporters to keep up-to-date with events, ways to support you and important deadlines. This portal is our all-in-one family engagement platform that helps us share personalized, timely content with families. This is also where families can learn about and register for major family events like Family Weekend! 

And don’t forget to have your family members join our VCU Families Facebook page and Instagram page!

There are several kinds of access you can give your family when it comes to your student records.

• Authorized user access permits them to see and pay your bill.
• Proxy access allows you to share with them your class schedule, registration holds, midterm and final grades (you can choose what to share).
• Completing a FERPA waiver allows them to reach out to VCU with questions about your academic record including your bill, schedule, grades and conduct.
• A Medical Release gives them access to medical records you choose to share with them.

You may change their level of access to any of these things at any time by contacting the relevant office.