Resource Center

Planning for Life After High School: Key Resources FAQ

If you’re wondering how you might navigate attaining your 4-year degree, you aren’t alone! The good news is that there are many organizations in Virginia that can help you before, during and after your academic work. The Virginia College Access Network (VirginiaCAN) serves as a “hub” for many programs in the state.

What is the Virginia College Network?

PMP - September 21, 2021

Financial Planning_Apply for Financial Aid

Read this document to learn how to apply for financial aid.

Federal Student Aid Identification (FSA ID)

Create a Federal Student Aid Identification. This allows you to become active in the information system, protect your account with a password and username, access the U.S. Department of Education, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and electronically sign documents.

Collect Records and Documents

PMP - September 29, 2021

Financial Planning_College Tuition

Review this document to learn about tuition and related fees when you attend college.

What is Tuition?

Tuition represents the cost of courses at a college or university. Factors that influence the price of tuition are the type of institution, academic program, cost of instruction, type of instruction, number of credits, and residency (in-state vs. out-of-state). Tuition varies from college to college, so it is important to do your research and learn about the tuition charges at your selected college.

PMP - September 29, 2021

Financial Planning_Cutting College Costs

Review this document for a list of ways to cut college costs.

PMP - September 30, 2021

Financial Planning_Federal Financial Aid and Satisfactory Academic Progress

Review this document to understand how Federal financial aid and academic progress are connected.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

If you are receiving financial aid (loans, grants, other) through the U.S. Department of Education, you will want to understand the importance of maintaining your grades and progress throughout your college years. The Department of Education has established criteria for eligibility of financial aid based on Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), as defined below:

PMP - September 30, 2021

Financial Planning_Hidden College Costs

Review this document to learn about costs associated with college attendance.

Application & Entrance Fees

The cost of applying to multiple colleges can add up! You will pay for the college application, official transcripts, and official test scores, when applicable. In some cases, a fee is collected to reserve a space for new student orientation and course registration. Get the pre-enrollment costs by contacting your institution.

Relocation & Transportation

PMP - September 30, 2021

Financial Planning_Sources of Financial Assistance

Read this document to learn about the ways you can fund your education.

PMP - September 30, 2021

Financial Planning_Student Budget Sheet

The link to this worksheet is available for you to download. It is under List of Attachments in the box to your right.

Manage your money wisely. Track your expenses using this basic budget worksheet.

PMP - September 30, 2021

Financial Planning_Student Loans_Common Questions

Review common questions and answers regarding educational loans.

Are educational loans free money?

No. Educational loans are borrowed funds that must be repaid.

Do educational loans accrue interest?

Yes. The loan type will dictate whether a loan accrues interest, the amount of interest you can expect and when the interest begins to accrue.

Is there a limit to the amount of money that can be borrowed?

PMP - September 30, 2021

Financial Planning_Student Loans

Review this document to learn basic information about student loans.

Loans are different from scholarships and grants, which are available to those who meet specific criteria.
Loans come from a variety of sources such as the federal government, private businesses, and other organizations.

PMP - September 30, 2021

Transfer Steps_Get Advice_Pay For College

Read this information to learn more about areas you can explore to pay for college.

PMP - September 30, 2021

Transfer Steps_Create a Plan_Plan Your College Expenses

The link to this worksheet is available for you to download. It is under List of Attachments in the box to your right.

Manage your money wisely. Track your expenses using this basic budget worksheet.

PMP - September 30, 2021

Portal Tour Webinar Oct. 18, 2022

Click here for the video recording of a 42 minute Portal Tour.

mcrenshaw - October 18, 2022

Transfer Virginia Portal Tour 18Oct22

This video is a general overview of the Transfer Virginia Portal for all audiences. It will introduce this one-stop website that offers college transfer informaiton in the state of Virginia.

mcrenshaw - December 19, 2022

How-to Video - Where Can My Major Transfer

This is a quick how-to video for learning how to use this Transfer Tool. There are step-by-step instructions for how to enter your community college major to find 4-year college and university programs that match.

mcrenshaw - May 16, 2023

How-to Video - Where Can My Course Transfer

A quick how-to video for learning how to use this Transfer Tool. Step by step instructions for how to load in a course that you've taken at one Virginia college to find an equivalent course at another Virginia college.

mcrenshaw - May 16, 2023

How-to Video - Where Can I Find an Equivalent Course

This is a quick how-to video for learning how to use this Transfer Tool. See step-by-step instructions for how to enter a course you need at your current college to find other colleges that offer an equivalent course. An example - You're a student at a 4-year university and are going home for the summer. You'd like to take a class at the community college near home and transfer it to your 4-year. Enter your current university name and the course that you need to take there. The resulting display shows other colleges and courses that would satisfy your college course.

mcrenshaw - May 16, 2023

How-to Video - Search for a Major

This is a quick how-to video for learning how to use this Transfer Tool. See step-by-step instructions for how to search for a major at the participating colleges in the portal.

mcrenshaw - May 16, 2023

How-to Video - How to Access and Read Transfer Guides

Transfer Guides help VCCS students know what courses to take at the community college to seamlessly transfer into specific programs at colleges and universities across Virginia. Learn how to access the transfer guides and understand the information presented on them. These guides should not replace transfer advising at your college, but enhance the information you and your advisor use.

mcrenshaw - January 2, 2024

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