Admissions

Log in to the VCU Application Portal to view your admission status, VCU ID number (also known as your V-number), the semester you are starting at VCU, degree program, residency status and any admission conditions. Review all information and notify the VCU Office of Admissions of any inaccuracies or questions.

In the portal, please refer to the checklist to determine if there are any other documents, including official final transcripts, that the Office of Admissions requires before enrollment.

If you were classified as a non-Virginia resident for tuition purposes and believe that this classification is inaccurate, you may request that your status be re-evaluated prior to Aug. 1 for fall semester entry or Dec. 1 for spring semester entry by contacting your application processor. You may be required to complete and submit the application for Virginia in-state tuition as well as provide other supporting documentation.

If you did not provide your SSN on your application, it is necessary for students who wish to be considered for financial aid to provide their SSN to the university.  To provide your SSN, please upload Parts I and II of a W-9S or upload a legible copy of your Social Security card to our secure database. 

Be sure the SSN you provide to VCU matches the SSN you submitted on your FAFSA. Any mismatch of information will cause a delay in processing your financial aid. Please note that your SSN will not be used as your VCU student ID number in order to protect your privacy. 

While we cannot accept Social Security numbers over the phone, you may call our office at (800) 841-3638 or (804) 828-1222 and speak with an application processor should you have any questions or concerns about this process.

You may remember your eID is your VCU login and the key to everything VCU! Visit the myEID page to reset your eID password and manage your profile.

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

If you are having challenges resetting your eID password, please call Information Technology at (804) 828-2227.

Say yes to VCU and become a Ram again! Visit the VCU Application Portal to complete your Offer of Admission Response form and make it official! This is the only way to confirm you will be attending VCU, so it is required that you accept your offer of readmission through your VCU application portal.

Response deadlines

• Spring admits: Respond within two weeks after your acceptance.
• Fall admits: Respond by June 1 if you were accepted to the university by May 1. If accepted after May 1, 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.

Requesting a tuition deposit waiver

Under certain circumstances, including having applied for financial aid or being awarded a scholarship, accepted students may request to have their tuition deposit waived. Please visit your accepted student portal where you will find the Offer of Admission Response Form to request a tuition deposit waiver.

You may have a hold on your account based on when you left VCU. All holds should be resolved before you register for classes. To check for holds, you should visit eServices to review each hold and contact the department to make arrangements on having it removed. Some holds may prevent you from accepting your offer of admission, which would be communicated directly to you in your offer letter. If you have any questions about those holds, contact Admissions directly at (804) 828-1222 or ugrad@vcu.edu.

Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) designating VCU (school code 003735) to determine your eligibility for financial aid. The 2024-2025 FAFSA priority deadline is March 1.  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) 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 summer readmits: If you are readmitted for the Summer 2024 semester, you must also complete the 2023-2024  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.

Have questions about financial aid?

Get in touch with a counselor from the Student Financial Management Center.

VCU email is now your official method of communication for all things VCU related. Readmitted 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 offer of admission.

Orientation is required for readmitted students who were enrolled at VCU two or  more academic years ago. For example, if you are readmitted to VCU for Fall 2024 and your last enrollment term was Fall 2022, then you would be required to attend Orientation. VCU Orientation offers an immersive experience for students to learn about life at VCU and campus resources, understand academic requirements and connect with students, faculty and staff.  

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

Orientation registration opens in November for students readmitted for the Spring semester and in April for students readmitted for the Fall semester. For more information on Orientation, 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.

BEGIN YOUR REGISTRATION

For students who choose to live off campus, visit the Off-Campus Housing website to explore your options and reach out to the Office of Student Advocacy for help.

Learn more about and apply for on-campus housing at Residential Life and Housing based on availability. The online application becomes available in November for students starting in the spring semester, and in April for students starting in the fall. Students must be registered for Orientation in order to receive an on-campus housing assignment. To learn more about our on-campus housing options, please visit our virtual tour. 

VCU Dine has many on-campus dining options for students including swipes, dining dollars, and Ram Bucks, all conveniently placed on your VCU card. Dining plans are available for students living either on-campus and off-campus.

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

If you haven’t already, be sure to submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Students admitted for the Fall 2024 semester should complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA.  The priority deadline is March 1.  If you miss the priority deadline, you should still apply because you may still be eligible for other 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) 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.

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 here and you can 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 & 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 team. For more information about making an appointment with your counselor, visit the Student Financial Management Center.

Review the following information to understand which placement tests you may be required to take as a readmitted student. This chart will help you determine which tests are required for your major.

Placement test requirements

Math

As a readmitted student, you are only required to take the math placement test if you have not completed a math course within three years or if your math transfer credit is not at least equivalent to MATH-141 Algebra with Applications (college algebra) at VCU. Please be sure to set aside dedicated time to complete this important test as it will determine where you begin in your math sequence.

Chemistry

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, current or incoming, planning on registering for General Chemistry I (CHEM 101) are required to take the test. This includes students who have taken AP Chemistry. 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. After successfully completing one of these options students are eligible to register for CHEM 101. 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.

Foreign language

Students who plan to continue studying a foreign language that they studied in high school must take the language placement test to determine the appropriate language class. Only students with transfer credit from other educational institutions are eligible to enroll in the next course within their language sequence.

The foreign language placement test must be taken in person either before or during Orientation. Learn more about foreign language placement testing, including when and where tests are administered.

Navigate

Download Navigate, our student app, to get timely reminders about financial aid deadlines, registration dates and important campus events. You can also use the app to make an appointment with your financial counselor now, and can make an appointment with your academic advisor 2-3 business days after your accepted offer has been processed. 

Note: You can download Navigate two business days after VCU processes your tuition deposit.

VCU Mobile

We also encourage students and VCU community members to download the VCU Mobile app to access maps, schedules for orientation and more.

Readmitted students readmitted for the fall semester can use the Navigate mobile app to make an appointment with your academic advisor 2-3 days after your accepted offer has been processed. It is important to meet with your advisor to confirm your program of study as well as any credits that need to be evaluated based on your catalog year.

For your convenience, this advising meeting can be held online, in-person or over the phone. During this appointment, you will confirm your credits, get registered for classes, be introduced to your Major Map and even set up your first follow-up appointment where you will make your full graduation plan.

To prepare for your advising appointment:

• Review your credits on DegreeWorks
• Take a look at your Major Map, which has links to a suggested plan of study
• Make a list of what classes you think you want to take
• See what courses are available on the Schedule of Classes
• Watch this video to learn how to register for classes at VCU
• Register for some or all of your classes
• Bring your proposed schedule and any questions to your advising appointment

You can register for classes by the amount of credit hours you have.  Refer to this chart for your registration day.

Make sure to write down any questions that you have after registering so that you can bring them to your academic advising appointment. 

If you took courses when you were away from VCU, we’ll need your final official transcripts to confirm your enrollment. 

VCU Financial Aid will not be able to disburse any of your awarded funds until VCU has received your final official transcripts. Request that your college registrar’s office send your final official college transcripts to the VCU Office of Admissions as soon as possible before classes start.

Check the academic calendar to verify when classes start for the semester in which you’ll be enrolling.

Your college can send your transcripts in 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. Please email ugrad@vcu.edu to submit transcripts.
• Via U.S. postal mail to:
  Virginia Commonwealth University
  Office of Admissions
  Box 842526
  Richmond, VA 23284

Please be sure your transcripts include final grades through the spring or fall term immediately prior to your enrollment.  If you are earning a degree, make sure it has been awarded before sending your final transcript.

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

You must upload a copy of your vaccine records if you have not done so before you left VCU. Students enrolling in degree programs on the Monroe Park Campus for Fall should submit these forms by Aug. 1 and for spring by Jan. 15. If you are enrolled in a health sciences program, you must submit the VCU Health Sciences Certificate of Immunization 30 days before your program starts.

If you do not remember if you uploaded your vaccine records before you left, if you were a student less than 10 years ago, you should check the immunization web portal to review what is in your records. If you have been away from VCU for more than 10 years then you will need to upload your immunization records again regardless if you submitted them before.  If you submitted your immunization forms when you first attended VCU, and if you are currently older than 45 years old, you may need a Hepatitis B series and an updated tetanus booster in addition to your childhood immunizations. Please review the Immunization Records webpage and contact University Student Health Services with any questions.

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.

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.

Students have many options when choosing where to park on campus. VCU parking facilities offer parking passes by the semester and some facilities offer daily/hourly options. Think about how often you will be on campus and where your classes will be when considering your parking needs before buying a parking pass. Street parking is managed by the City of Richmond and is paid and time-limited in many places.

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

• Not Anymore helps you understand the forms and definitions of violence, identify helpful resources, and learn ways to intervene to prevent violence.

You must complete this training module before classes begin! This training is required for readmitted students taking classes both in-person and online.

VCU is committed to providing equal access for all students. If you require any accommodations or disability-related support, please visit the Getting started page with Student Accessibility and Educational Opportunity (SAEO) or contact saeo@vcu.edu.

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.

Sign up to receive text message alerts on your cell phone notifying you of campus emergencies, including inclement weather.

As a returning VCU student, you may be able to get a head start on your VCU education:

• Students who are readmitted for the fall semester may be eligible to enroll in Summer Studies courses.
• Students who are readmitted for the spring semester may be eligible to enroll in Intersession or J-Term classes, as available, which take place during winter break.

Email VCU Special Programs at summer@vcu.edu for more information about each of these opportunities.

Family members of readmitted 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 VCU Families 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.