The VCU Office of Financial Aid recommends electronically filing the FAFSA by Feb. 1. Students should complete the FAFSA or VASA early so that it can be processed by the priority filing date of Feb. 1. A FAFSA applicant must use the Direct Data Exchange to transfer federal tax information into the FAFSA. Students will receive a FAFSA submission summary after successfully filing their FAFSA. An award notification will be sent electronically. Students who do not plan to apply for financial aid may consider participating in the VCU installment payment plan, which budgets each semester's bill over four payments. Information about this plan can be found on the Student Financial Services website.