Admissions

Log in to the VCU Application Portal to view your admission status, VCU ID number, entry semester, degree program, residency status and any admission conditions. Review all admission information for accuracy 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 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.

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. It lets you do things like:

• Accept your offer of admission
• Pay your tuition deposit
• Log in to your VCU email account
• Register for classes
• Use the myVCU portal
• Use VCU’s wifi
• Access library materials online

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

Visit the VCU Application Portal to complete your VCU response form. After you have completed the form, you may pay your tuition deposit to let us know you'll be joining us 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 accepted student portal for more information and a link to the form.

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.

Before signing up for Orientation, applying for on-campus housing, or registering for classes, you must complete the VCU response form in the accepted student portal and pay a nonrefundable tuition deposit

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

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. 
• Note that the system will allow a maximum payment of $5,000.00.
5.     Submit your deposit to reserve your spot at VCU.

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.

Check into programs and resources that can help make college more affordable.

• If you haven’t already, apply for financial aid by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid by the Feb. 1 priority filing date. You can submit your FASFA as early as Oct. 1. If you miss the priority deadline, you should still apply because you may still be eligible for some types of assistance.
• Check your new VCU email account for award information, required documents to complete your file and additional information.
• Send in scholarships, billing and authorizations.

Have questions about financial aid?

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

VCU Orientation offers an immersive experience for students to learn about life at VCU and campus resources, understand academic requirements and connect with VCU students, faculty and staff. 

Orientation is required for first-year students, transfer and adult learner students, international students and students who are returning to VCU after being away for more than three years. VCU Orientation offers an immersive experience for students to learn about life at VCU and campus resources, understand academic requirements and connect with VCU students, faculty and staff. Think of it as your formal onboarding to VCU. 

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

Begin your registration

For more information and updates on Orientation, please visit orientation.vcu.edu or contact newrams@vcu.edu.

Find on- and off-campus housing that best fits your needs:

• Discover options and apply for on-campus housing through Residential Life and Housing.
• VCU Off-Campus Student Services can help you find options near campus.

Check into programs and resources that can help make college more affordable.

• You can submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as Oct. 1. If you haven’t already applied, submit your FAFSA by the Feb. 1 priority filing date. 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) as early as Oct. 1. If you haven’t already applied, submit your VASA by the Feb. 1 priority filing date. 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 here.  
• 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.” 
• If you plan to use military benefits to pay your bill, please connect with Military Student Services (MSS)
• Explore additional VCU scholarship opportunities

Have questions about financial aid?

All admitted VCU students have an assigned financial counselor as part of their student success care 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 transfer student.

Math

As a transfer student, you are required to take the math placement test only 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.

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 first-year 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.

Complete the Advising Registration Survey to tell us about your goals, interests and educational background. Your academic advisor will use that information to help you register for your first semester of classes and support you in creating and navigating your own personalized route to graduation. It will take just over 20 minutes for you to complete.

Take the Fall 2023 Transfer Advising Registration Survey

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 after Nov. 15 if you’re starting in the spring and May 15 if you’re starting in the fall semester.

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.

Transfer students admitted for the fall semester can use the Navigate mobile app to make an appointment with your academic advisor starting May 15.  Students admitted for the spring will be able to meet with their advisors after November 15.

Make sure to complete your VCU Advising Registration Survey before you schedule a "New Transfer Advising" appointment with your new academic advisor. For your convenience, this advising meeting can be held online, in-person or over the phone. During this appointment, you will confirm your transferred 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 transfer 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

Using these helpful guides, register yourself for classes in eServices as early as May 1. We encourage you to register for classes as early as possible for the best course days and times. 

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!

We'll need your final 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 transcripts. Request that your college registrar’s office send your final 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.
• 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. Students enrolling in degree programs on the Monroe Park Campus for Fall 2023 should submit these forms by Aug. 1. 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.

VCU issues bills 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 the billing and payment portal. 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.

New students participating in a scheduled VCU Orientation will apply for a VCUCard online using Photo Submission. Students who submit their photo and have it approved before Orientation will be eligible to pick up their card at their Orientation session. Alternatively, students can request an in-person appointment through the VCUCard website. Students will receive more details about photo submission when they register for Orientation. Visit the Get VCUCard page for more details.

All VCU students are required to have a personal computer. The university annually sets minimum specifications for computers for each new entering class. Some departments and schools recommend a specific configuration from among the options outlined by the university. Check with your school or college to make sure the minimum specifications are sufficient for your course of study.

Contact the VCU Office of Student Accessibility and Educational Opportunity to request any necessary accommodations.

VCU is a place where you can be yourself or figure out who that self is. The best way to do that is to meet other people. People with similar interests, people who are completely different, people you’d never meet otherwise. How do you want to get involved on campus? Student Life at VCU is your first stop to get involved in leadership, advocacy and awareness, clubs and organizations, or volunteering.  Make sure you join RamsConnect to stay in the know and find your fit!

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 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. 

As an incoming VCU student, there are several ways you can get a head start on your VCU education:

• Students who are admitted for the fall semester are eligible to enroll in Summer Studies courses.
• Students who are admitted for the spring semester are eligible to enroll in Intersession or J-Term classes.

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

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