Freshman & Transfer Overview

STEP 1: Send in Your Application

The fall of your senior year is the best time to apply for admission to VFCC. You are invited to schedule an appointment with an Admissions Counselor by calling our Admissions Office at 800.432.8322.

This is also an excellent time to begin your scholarship search. We offer a wide variety of scholarship opportunities. There are also many other agencies that offer scholarship opportunities.

Things to Do: Apply Online Or: Download Undergraduate Application and Recommendation forms (PDF)

Apply for VFCC Scholarships

Search the web for scholarship opportunities

The application fee is waived for electronic applications. You can print out the form, fill it out and mail it in to VFCC, but note there is a $25 application fee for applications mailed in.

Important: Please review your application carefully before mailing it in or submitting electronically.

STEP 2: Request your (PIN)

Most Federal and State financial aid forms will require the use of an electronic signature. In order to do this, a Personal Identification Number (PIN) must be obtained from the Federal Student Aid Website. You are only required to select a PIN one time and it will be used throughout your 4-year college term.

Things to Do: Request your PIN

STEP 3: File Your FAFSA

Apply for financial aid as early as possible during your senior year of high school—before the academic term for which assistance is requested. If you are entering college in the fall, the FAFSA may be completed any time after January 1 of that same year. When it comes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), we recommend filing it as soon as family income-tax returns for the year are complete. To meet the Pennsylvania State Grant deadline, the FAFSA must be received by May 1. Check with FAFSA for each state's deadline. Please note that the VFCC School Code is: 003306.

Things to Do: Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Approximately three weeks after completing the FAFSA, you will receive a SAR (Student Aid Report) from the Department of Education. The SAR will have the calculated EFC (Expected Family Contribution). This number is used to calculate financial need and is the basis in determining most Federal, State, and Institutional aid. It is important to check the data on the SAR for accuracy and if necessary, make corrections to the FAFSA. Do not hesitate to reach out to the Financial Aid Team at VFCC with any questions after receiving the SAR. The Office of Financial Aid will review all information and be in contact if additional documentation/information is needed. A letter entitled “Financial Aid Missing Documents” will be mailed if more information is required. We will not be able to determine financial aid awards until the requested documents are received.

When all required financial data has been received, the Office of Financial Aid will evaluate the information and send an Award Letter listing amounts and types of aid for which the student is eligible. Any student found eligible for loans or college work-study, will need to complete additional paperwork to apply for these types of aid.

STEP 4: Explore Scholarship Opportunities

Scholarships are awarded based on your demonstrated abilities, achievements or due to membership within a special group, such as a minister or married student. At VFCC, thousands of dollars in scholarships are awarded in the following categories: academic achievement, artistic achievement, church and ministry-related involvement, special group scholarships and returning student scholarships..

Things to Do: Explore Scholarship Opportunities

Many organizations (in addition to VFCC and the State and Federal governments) offer excellent opportunities for scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial assistance. Some recommended sites to explore other aid options are www.fastweb.com or www.educationplanner.org.

STEP 5: Apply for AID

Attending college is an investment in your future but also in your true self because it is a way to discover and grow the gifts God gives each of us. VFCC offers six basic types of aid so you can choose the one that best fits your needs. Follow the link below to explore all aid opportunities.

Things to Do: Explore Available Aid Options

STEP 6: Complete the Aid Process

Some awards/loans require special attention or further action, as noted in the financial aid package that will be mailed to you. Please make sure that all appropriate instructions are followed in order to receive financial aid awards.

Federal regulations require that, before any Federal loans are disbursed to your account, you must complete an entrance counseling session. This takes about 20 minutes and may be done online. The entrance counseling session provides information about how to manage student loans, both during and after college.

If you are eligible for a Stafford Loan you need to complete a Master Promissory Note. In order for parents to receive a Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS), a parent must complete a credit pre-approval form, available from the Office of Financial Aid and a PLUS loan application.

Things to Do: Complete Entrance Counseling

Things to Do: Complete Master Promissory Note