FAFSA Help

First, check out FAFSA Tips Before You Begin and Top FAFSA Tips for 2024-2025 to help you get started. Most of your questions will be answered.

Or, you can call the Financial Aid Office at (276) 739-2411. 

Also, check out our FAFSA frequently asked questions page.

Give us a call. Call (276)739-2411 if you have a FAFSA completion question.

While there is not a deadline for FAFSA completion for federal funding, early submission gives you the best opportunity to be fully considered for ALL local, state and institutional aid. The FAFSA is your gateway to ALL funding and scholarship sources.

Try to submit by July 1st each year for early submission. 

We’re always happy to help you!

For the most immediate service, we suggest you utilize our LIVE CHAT feature Mondays-Fridays between 8:30 am and 5 pm. 

You may also call (276)739-2411. 

1. Visit dos5.net/myvhcc and sign-in using your username and password.
    
2. Select SIS (Student Information System).
    
3. Select Student Center.
    
4. Review “To Do List” items. Check the list carefully & submit all requested info. (You cannot be awarded financial aid unless the “To Do List” items are completed.)
    
5. Select “Message Center and review any unread messages.

Before you begin the FAFSA, you will be asked to create an FSA ID. Creating an FSA ID is an important step that will save you a great deal of time in the future. Your FSA ID will be used for the entirety of your college career.

An FSA ID is required for the student and parent(s). 

If your biological parents are married, only one will need to create an ID, and you will only invite them to the FAFSA. 

If your biological parent is remarried, both your parents and your step-parent will need to create FSA IDs, and you will need to invite both of them on your FAFSA.

Click to get started creating your FSA ID. 

You will find the following tips helpful!

• Use an email address that you can access at any given time.
• Verify that your Social Security Number and DOB are correct. (If your name, SSN and/or DOB does not match up with the Social Security Administration this could cause significant delays, as they verify your identity.)
• You will be required to pick two challenge questions that FSA provides and two that you must create. Be sure to pick and create challenge questions that require facts for answers. (Example: What is my mother’s first name?)
• Once you have entered all of the required fields, FSA will immediately send a code to the email address you provided at the beginning. You will also have the option to link your mobile phone number to your FSA ID, which must be verified as well. Enter the code(s) and you should receive confirmation that your FSA ID has been created. You will then be ready to log in and begin completing the FAFSA.

How to Get an FSAID for Individuals without a Social Security Number

The FSA ID is required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online as a student applicant or as a contributor (parent/stepparent or spouse of a student applicant.). While in the past, a Social Security Number (SSN) was required to obtain an FSA ID, students’ spouses, parents, and stepparents who do not have an SSN can obtain an FSA ID beginning in late December, 2023. 
 

What you need before you apply for an FSA ID: 
Your email address 

Creating the FSA ID 
Start at studentaid.gov and select “Create Account” from the top right corner of the page 

1. Step 1 of 7 - Enter Personal Information 
   Check “I don’t have a Social Security number” and click “Continue” 
   A warning will appear; click “Continue Without SSN”
2. Step 2 of 7 - Account Information 
   Follow the instructions to create a username and password and click “Continue” *Note: An email address is required and the email address cannot be associated with another FSA ID account (for example, you cannot use the same email address for a child and parent, or for both parents)
3. Step 3 of 7 - Contact Information 
   Enter address information and click “Continue” *Note: mailing address is required for anyone without an SSN. Foreign phone numbers are not accepted, so leave this field blank if you have a foreign phone number
4. Step 4 of 7 - Communication Preferences 
   Follow the instructions and click “Continue”
5. Step 5 of 7 - Challenge Questions 
   Follow the instructions to choose the challenge questions you will be asked to answer if you forget your username or password and click “Continue”
6. Step 6 of 7 - Confirm & Verify 
   Review information, and edit incorrect information if necessary 
   Check the box indicating you agree to FSA’s Terms and Conditions, then click “Continue”

7. Step 7 of 7 - Enable Two Step Verification 
   Follow the instructions and click “Continue”

   Step 7 of 7, continued - Identity Verification 
   • Answer knowledge-based identity verification questions and click “Submit” • You are ready to complete the FAFSA!! • Note: if any identity verification questions are answered incorrectly (and only in this case), you will see an error message indicating your account was created but you still need to contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) to verify your identity before you can use the FSA ID to complete the FAFSA as an applicant or contributor (parent or spouse) o You will be asked by email to submit the following documentation to the email address provided: • Attestation form (link will be included in the email) o ONE of the following: • U.S. Driver’s license • U.S. State/city ID card • Foreign passport o OR a utility bill (with name and address matching what was entered in the FSA ID request process) + one of the following: • Municipal ID card • Community ID • Consular ID card/Matricula Consular o Identity verification will be confirmed within 1-3 days by email, after which the FSA ID will be created and you will be ready to complete the FAFSA as a student applicant or contributor. 

**Note: these steps are based on information provided by the Department of Education in a November 2, 2023 webinar and guidance issued on December 22, 2023 and are subject to change.