FAFSA & Applying for Financial Aid

Warning: The Only Legitimate Website to Apply for the FAFSA is www.StudentAid.gov. If a Website Asks for Payment to Complete the FAFSA, it is a Scam. The FAFSA is Free!

Follow These Steps to Apply for Financial Aid:

Step 1 (For New Students): Apply to PVCC and Enroll Into a Program of Study

Complete the College Application
- When applying to PVCC, be sure to include your social security number (SSN). The SSN is a personal identifier that links the FAFSA application to your student account.
Meet with an Academic Advisor
- You can choose a program of study, either a degree or certification, at this time.

Step 2: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

If you are a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
If you are a Virginia state resident with a non-immigrant, undocumented, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, complete the Virginia Alternative State Aid application (VASA).
To apply for financial aid for the Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and Summer 2026 semesters, complete the 2025-2026 FAFSA or VASA application.
- This will require 2023 federal tax information.
To apply for financial aid for the Fall 2026 semester, beginning August 2026, complete the 2026-2027 FAFSA or VASA application, available October 2025.
- This will require 2024 federal tax information.
Once you have completed and submitted your application, we will receive it within 3-5 business days.

Step 3: Update Your Contact Info

Update your address, email and phone number in the Student Information System (SIS).
Keeping your contact information up to date ensures the PVCC Financial Aid Office can contact you with updates about your financial aid and more.

Step 4: Check Your Financial Aid Status in Your SIS Student Center

Review your To-Do-List and access messages from the Financial Aid Office in your Message Center.
Read About Your Financial Aid Award
Complete the PVCC Federal Direct Loan Request Form if you are accepting a Federal Student Loan offer.

Have Questions?

PVCC Financial Aid Office: email finaid@pvcc.edu or phone 434.961.6545 - account questions and FAFSA help
State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV): text "uAspire" to 434.478.4003 for FAFSA help within 24 business hours.
Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC): phone 1.800.433.3243 (1.800.4.FED.AID), TTY 1.800.730.8913, https://studentaid.gov/help-center/contact - FAFSA help.

FAFSA Help and Resources

Avoid Student Aid Scams: https://studentaid.gov/resources/scams

Steps to Complete a FAFSA

Guide to completing the FAFSA application.
FAFSA support in languages other than English.

How to Create an FSA ID

Creating an account.
Tips to recovering your account.

Determining Your Dependency Status

Do my parents need to complete the parent section of the FAFSA?

Understand and Prepare FAFSA Form Contributors

Who is considered a contributor?
My contributor does not have a Social Security Number (SSN).
What if I can't submit a correction as a contributor?
What does it mean to provide consent and approval to retrieve and disclose federal tax information?

What Happens After You Submit Your FAFSA Application