The financial aid application process for the academic year begins Oct. 1. All students are encouraged to complete and submit the FAFSA as soon as possible after Oct. 1, designating VCU (school code 003735) to receive the results. In order to reduce problems, errors and omissions on the FAFSA, students are encouraged to apply electronically using FAFSA on the Web. Once the FAFSA is filed, the federal processor will send the student a FAFSA Submission Summary and electronically send the information to the VCU Office of Financial Aid, if VCU was listed as a school to receive the data. If additional information is needed to complete processing of the application, the VCU Office of Financial Aid will send the student a request for additional information. Responding promptly to such requests will ensure timely processing of the application. Once the review of FAFSA data has been completed, the Office of Financial Aid will send the student a financial aid award notification.