Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) Application

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FILE YOUR 2024-25 VASA APP NOW!

Scroll down to get started.

Click here to view a list of Frequently Asked Questions.


Important update about the 2025-26 VASA application

The 2025-26 VASA application, to be completed by students planning to attend college during Fall 2025 and/or Spring 2026, will be released in late December 2024/early January 2025. The 2024-25 will remain available in the portal through June 2025.

Students planning to attend school...

  • during Fall 2024 and/or Spring 2025, need to submit the 2024-25 VASA application.
  • during Fall 2025 and/or Spring 2026, need to submit the 2025-26 VASA application.
  • during a summer semester, need to contact their school to confirm which application year they should submit.

Applying for state financial aid requires two separate steps:

STEP #1: Complete an in-state tuition application and qualify through one of the following:
STEP #2: File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) OR a Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) Application and meet the requirements for the specific financial aid program.

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Students should contact their college for more details and assistance. The office of admissions or registrar is responsible for reviewing and determining eligibility for in-state tuition. The financial aid office is responsible for reviewing applications, determining eligibility and awarding aid.


Which Financial Aid Application Should You File?

File a FAFSA

Who should file the FAFSA?

United States citizens and eligible noncitizens should complete this form to apply for federal, state and institutional financial aid.

File a VASA Application

Who should file the VASA Application? 

Virginians who have certain nonimmigrant visas, are undocumented, have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status or are otherwise ineligible to file a FAFSA.

The VASA application only provides access to state financial aid and possibly institutional aid.

Unsure which to file?

Questions about which application to file?

If you are not sure which application to complete, click on the button above to take a quick questionnaire.


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If you are eligible to complete the FAFSA, you should complete it so you can be considered for federal, state and institutional aid. If you complete a FAFSA and a VASA application, Virginia institutions will ignore VASA application results and only use the results from your FAFSA if it includes a valid Student Aid Index (SAI).


1. What is the VASA Application?
2. Who should complete the VASA Application?
3. Who is considered a "Virginia Student?"
4. What is the purpose of the VASA Application?
5. What is the Student Aid Index (SAI)?
6. Where is the student's SAI located?
7. When is the deadline to submit a VASA Application?
8. How often must a student file a VASA Application?
9. Which VASA application year should the student fill out?
10. What happens once a student successfully submits their VASA Application?
11. For which financial aid programs will a student be considered?
12. How much aid will the student receive, and how/when will they be notified?
13. Who should students contact if they have questions about the status of their VASA application and financial aid?
14. Who should students contact for technical assistance?

Student FAQs

15. How do I create an account and start an application?
16. Can I change the email I used to create my account?
17. I forgot my password, how do I reset it?
18. I noticed that I made a mistake on my application after I submitted it. How do I fix it?
19. I have already submitted my VASA application, but I want to add another school. How can I do that?
20. Do I need to respond to the Selective Service certification statement?
21. How do I check the status of my application?

Parent FAQs

22. My e-signature invitation has expired. How do I get another one?
23. When I try to create my parent account during the e-signature process, I get an error message that my information is invalid. What should I do?

 

VASA Application Privacy Statement