Financial Support

The Dean of Students office administers the VCU Student Emergency Fund and the Regalia Assistance Fund and assists with the Board of Visitors Award and several of the Business Services Scholarships. This page is meant to serve as central location for some financial support opportunities for VCU students. Please contact the Dean of Students office at vcudean@vcu.edu for additional asssitance. 

The Dean of Students office has compiled financial aid opportunities that are available to students below. Please reference the individual pages for more information about eligibility and requirements. For additional resources to support student life during COVID-19, access the Division of Student Affairs COVID-19 resources page.

Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Fund

The Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act has made funding available to colleges and universities to assist eligible students who have been impacted by COVID-19. Students who are not eligible to receive federal funds may be considered for institutional funds. Students may access more information about the CARES Act fund online.

VCU Student Emergency Fund

The Dean of Students office within the Division of Student Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University manages the VCU Student Emergency Fund. Designed to provide one-time financial assistance with unexpected emergency expenses, the goal of the VCU Student Emergency Fund is to prevent one emergency or unexpected expense from derailing a student’s progress toward a degree. Priority will be given to students whose tenure at the university may be at risk due to an emergency situation. Students may access more information about the VCU Student Emergency fund online.

Richmond Mutual Aid Mini-Grants

Richmond Mutual Aid is offering mini-grants to support individuals who are financially impacted by COVID-19. More info can be found here: bit.ly/RVAFunds. 

Ram Pantry Additional Resources

The Ram Pantry webpage offers additional resources to support students dealing with food insecurity. More information can be found on the Ram Pantry website.

Purpose

A Division of Student Affairs fund provides relief for students needing financial assistance purchasing regalia. Regalia is sold through the Barnes & Noble@VCU campus bookstores. Regalia prices, including cap, gown, hood and tassel are: bachelor set, $56.98; master set, $73.98; Ph.D./Ed.D. set, $108.98; and professional doctorate set*, $59.98.

Eligibility

Undergraduate, graduate and professional students who will participate in Commencement activities may apply for assistance. Funds are limited and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until funds run out. Assistance will be for only ONE SET of regalia (cap, gown and hood).

Applying for Assistance

Students must complete the application form. Applying for assistance does not automatically grant it. Notifications will be sent no more than two weeks after application. Note: Applications were accepted through April 3. Funds are limited and were awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until they ran out. Currently, all funds have been exhausted.

Administration of the Award

Financial need will be the primary consideration, therefore, applications will be checked with Financial Aid to determine status (FAFSA for those eligible will be required). Students who receive assistance can retrieve their regalia from their respective Barnes & Noble @ VCU store on either campus.

In addition to administering the Regalia Assistance Fund, the Dean of Students office assists with the Board of Visitors Award and several of the Business Services Scholarships.

Board of Visitors Awards

The Board of Visitors is the voting body of Virginia Commonwealth University. Each year, the governor of Virginia appoints members. More information about the Board of Visitors Awards can be found online.

Business Services Scholarships

VCU Department of Business Services sponsors scholarships through agreements with business partners to support and enhance scholarship opportunities for all VCU students. More information about the Business Services Scholarships can be found online.

RAMS Scholarship HUB

This is a scholarship hub where you can discover and apply for scholarship opportunities and review your personalized recommendations. For more information visit RAMS Scholarship HUB.