NOW is the time to secure your housing for the Fall 2024 semester. If you are trying to live on campus the housing lottery is open so be sure to submit your application for the upcoming semester. If you are looking for off-campus housing for Fall, please connect with the VCU Office Campus Housing Officeonline. you can also reach them by phone at 804 628-3946
Veteranadvance registration for Fall 2024 will be 8AM on Wednesday March 27th. Eligible Veterans should make an appointment to meet with their academic advisor before the 27th and make sure ahead of time that they do not have any registration holds on their accounts that might prohibit registration.
If students are planning on using Federal Financial Aid for the 2024-2025 semester, and have not already completed their 2014-2025 FAFSA application, please do so as soon as possible. Priority filing date for the 24/25 FAFSA is February 1 but VCU will continue to pull in applications up through the start of the term.
External scholarships also tend to have February dues dates for the future semester so now is also the time to look for external scholarships... usually based upon your or your veteran sponsors branch of service.
School Certifying Official Updates
For Chapter 33 post 9/11 Gi Bill students
The VA will reach out each month to verify enrollment to keep sending monthly BAH payments. When you receive a text from the VA asking to confirm your enrollment, please be sure to send "Y" if you are still in classes. If you mark "N"... the VA will stop sending your monthly cost of living payments until your enrollment status can be verified.
If you have questions about the payment status for GI Bill benefits, please contact the VA at 888-GIBILL-1 (888-442-4551) for assistance. You can also visit us in person at 1015 Floyd Avenue, Room 3122 for further assistance.
For Chapter 1606 Benefits
Remember to verify your enrollment each month through the WAVE portal or by calling the VA at 888.442.4551. Verification can be done the 1st of the following month... so August's verification can be done Sept 1
Verification of enrollment letter
If you need a verification of enrollment letter to keep your Tri-Care benefits or Mliitary ID card, please visit this this link at the VCU Records and Registration office to request your letter. Please be sure to provide an "estimated graduation date" on your request as it is not automatically added and is needed by the VA.
Veteran & Military Affiliated Students
Have you filed for your Spring 2024 Federal VA benefit? Reminder: each semester you choose to use your VA benefit you must authorize the award by submitting your online "RFC" (Request for Certification) each semester. You can also log back into your RFC to check its status for the term if you are unsure if you have filed. Students can access the online RFC here: go.vcu.edu/militarystudents
For VMSDEP students
All students who authorized the award before the start of classes should see the VIf you are planning on using the VMSDEP award for the Fall 2023 term please remember to authorize the award again through your myVMSDEP portal at: https://vmsdep.dvs.virginia.gov/user/login The State has updated their portal so you may be required to reset your password in order to log in. Authorized VMSDEP benefits are normally posted 30 days after the start of the semester.
Employment, Internship, and Volunteer Opportunities
VCU Non-Profit, Public and Human Services Fair
When: March 27th 12-3pm
Where: Richmond Salon and Commonwealth Ballroom, 2nd Floor Student Commons Register Here
VCU Spring Career Fair
When: April 17th 12-3pm
Where: Richmond Salons, 2nd Floor Student Commons Register Here
Scholarships and Professional Growth Opportunities
The 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will open in December 2023 and will include several major changes that you can read about here.
Be sure to regularly check theRAMS Scholarship Hub for scholarship opportunities that are open to VCU students.
Don’t forget that the Military Student Services’ website also lists several scholarships and financial aid opportunities specifically for veterans, service members, and their families: https://militaryservices.vcu.edu/scholarships-and-aid/
SVA and MSS Updates and Events
Mark Your Calendars:
MSS Pizza Day: Join the MSS Staff and the SVA starting at 12:00 on Thursday February 29th in office 3122 at Harris Hall. Free Pizza and Comaraderie!! Register Here
SVA Hosted Dinner: Join the SVA for dinner at Riverside Tavern (a veteran owned business) on Wednesday, February 28th from 7-9 p.m. Come enjoy some great company and learn more about what the SVA does to support our veteran students. Register Here
Bi-Weekly SVA Meeting: Currious about what the SVA does and how we support our fellow military affliated students? Come on out to our next meeting on Monday, March 11th in the MSS office, Harris Hall Rm 3122. Register Here
Street Cleanup Volunteer Day: Come out and help the MSS & SVA on March 29th clean up on Cary Street. Lets all chip in to keep our city looking beautiful. Register Here
Extras
Free access to the great outdoors!
Veterans and their families are eligible to free lifetime access to all U.S. national parks.
“Join us as we explore critical topics to forge a holistic understanding of Special Warfare, and the role of Army Special Operations Forces of the past, present, and in the future of our National Defense.”
Learn how to support Veterans and their families as they transition to civilian/student life. This event is for those in a teaching a/or support role. Please register at the below link, once registration is complete a followup email will be sent for lunch choice options.
Please join Steven Ross and the Virginia War Memorial Director, Ben King for a 75 minute stroll along the James river while learning about Richmond's diverse history.
