A Parent’s Complete Guide to Virginia State University (2026-2027)
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Jump to
- What is the one thing every Virginia State University parent needs to know before move-in?
- Quick Facts for Virginia State University Families
- A Note on Trojans Identity and Financial Aid
- Getting to Petersburg/Ettrick
- What do parents need to know about Virginia State University move-in day 2026?
- The Residence Halls: Where Your Student Might Live
- How much does Virginia State University cost? Tuition, financial aid, and scholarships for 2026-27
- Petersburg and Richmond: What Parents Need to Know
- When is Virginia State University Family Weekend 2026 and how do parents plan for it?
- How can parents support their Virginia State University student’s mental health?
- Who do Virginia State University parents contact? Essential numbers and websites for families
- Virginia State’s Academic Strengths
- Getting Your Student’s Stuff Home Between Semesters
- You Are a Virginia State Trojans Family Now
- What is Virginia State University’s graduation rate?
- Academic Calendar
- What to Pack for Virginia State University
What is the one thing every Virginia State University parent needs to know before move-in?
Virginia State University was founded in 1882 in Petersburg, Virginia, as the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute, established as the first fully state-supported institution of higher learning for Black Americans in the United States.
In the 144 years since, Virginia State has grown from a normal school into a comprehensive doctoral-granting university of approximately 5,000 students, offering programs from agriculture and engineering through business, education, and the arts in Ettrick (a community adjacent to Petersburg), 25 miles south of Richmond.
Virginia State’s founding distinction as “the first fully state-supported four-year institution of higher learning for Black Americans” reflects the specific political economy of Virginia’s Reconstruction-era education policy: the institution was established with full state appropriations from the beginning, rather than the partial or supplementary state support that characterized the early funding of many other HBCUs. This distinction shaped VSU’s institutional identity as a state responsibility rather than a charitable or church mission, and it embedded the university in the political infrastructure of Virginia public education in ways that have persisted through 144 years of development.
The Petersburg-Appomattox historical landscape is the geographic context of the Virginia State experience: the Siege of Petersburg (June 1864 through April 1865) was the longest siege of the Civil War, and the nine months of trench warfare around Petersburg and Richmond that preceded Lee’s retreat and the subsequent Confederate surrender at Appomattox Court House is one of the most significant military campaigns of the American Civil War. The Petersburg National Battlefield, the Pamplin Historical Park, and the related sites of the Petersburg-Richmond campaign are all accessible from the VSU campus. The proximity to the Civil War landscape that directly preceded emancipation and the founding of the university creates a historical context for Virginia State that is among the most resonant of any HBCU.
Quick Facts for Virginia State University Families
| Family Weekend | Virginia State University Homecoming and Family Weekend 2026 is October 3 to 10, 2026. |
| Location | Ettrick, VA 23803 (adjacent to Petersburg) |
| Enrollment | ~5,000 students |
| Type | Public HBCU, Land-Grant University, Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) |
| In-State Tuition (2026-27) | ~$9,000/year (verify at vsu.edu) |
| Out-of-State Tuition (2026-27) | ~$20,000/year (verify at vsu.edu) |
| Room and Board | ~$11,000-$13,000/year (verify at vsu.edu) |
| Total Cost (in-state) | ~$23,000-$25,000/year (verify at vsu.edu) |
| Total Cost (out-of-state) | ~$34,000-$36,000/year (verify at vsu.edu) |
| Graduation Rate | ~48% (6-year) |
| Median Earnings (10 years post-grad) | ~$38,000 (verify at vsu.edu) |
| Nearest Airport | RIC (Richmond International, 30 miles) |
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A Note on Trojans Identity and Financial Aid
Virginia State’s athletic teams are the Trojans, competing in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) at the Division II level. The colors are orange and blue. The Trojans compete in football, basketball, track and field, and other CIAA sports.
The CIAA is the oldest African American athletic conference in the United States (founded 1912), and the CIAA Tournament (the annual basketball championship held in Charlotte since 2006) is one of the most attended HBCU athletics events in the country.
Financial aid at VSU is need-based and merit-based through federal, Virginia state, and institutional programs. Virginia residents should verify eligibility for the Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP) and other state programs. Contact vsu.edu/financial-aid for current programs.
Getting to Petersburg/Ettrick
Richmond International Airport (RIC) is approximately 30 miles north of the VSU campus via I-95 and I-85, served by American, Delta, United, and Southwest. The Richmond airport’s national connectivity is comprehensive and provides practical access for VSU families from most markets.
For families driving, I-95 connects the Petersburg area to Richmond (25 miles north) and to the Washington DC-Northern Virginia corridor (120 miles north). I-85 connects southwest toward Durham, North Carolina.
What do parents need to know about Virginia State University move-in day 2026?
Virginia State’s fall move-in runs in mid-to-late August. Check vsu.edu/housing for your student’s building and move-in window.
Ettrick in mid-August is hot and humid in the Virginia Tidewater and Piedmont way: temperatures in the upper 80s to low 90s with the substantial humidity of the Virginia interior, afternoon thunderstorms, and the campus in full late-summer green.
Virginia State runs organized move-in with residential life staff and building-specific unloading areas.
Practical notes:
- Ship boxes ahead. VSU holds packages.
- After unloading, the Petersburg restaurant scene on Sycamore Street and the Old Towne Petersburg historic district provides first-night dining options. The Old Towne Petersburg restaurant and arts district is the most distinctive first-night dining destination for VSU families.
The Residence Halls: Where Your Student Might Live
Virginia State’s residential system provides on-campus housing for approximately 3,000 students, with freshmen required to live on campus.
The residence halls and apartment communities on the VSU campus provide traditional room, suite, and apartment configurations for undergraduate and graduate students.
The Virginia State dining program provides meal plan options for on-campus residents.
How much does Virginia State University cost? Tuition, financial aid, and scholarships for 2026-27
Virginia residents should verify VGAP eligibility. Contact vsu.edu/financial-aid for current programs.
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| In-State Tuition and Fees | ~$9,000 (verify at vsu.edu) |
| Out-of-State Tuition and Fees | ~$20,000 (verify at vsu.edu) |
| Room and Board | ~$11,000-$13,000 (verify at vsu.edu) |
| Books and Supplies | ~$1,200 (verify at vsu.edu) |
| Personal and Transportation | ~$3,000 (verify at vsu.edu) |
| Estimated Total In-State (before aid) | ~$24,200-$26,200 (verify at vsu.edu) |
| Estimated Total Out-of-State (before aid) | ~$35,200-$37,200 (verify at vsu.edu) |
Virginia residents should verify VGAP eligibility. Contact vsu.edu/financial-aid for current programs.
If there is a gap between aid and costs, SoFi is consistently competitive on private loan rates. Always work with VSU’s financial aid office first.
FAFSA guide for VSU families Full college cost planning guide
Petersburg and Richmond: What Parents Need to Know
The Virginia State parent visit provides access to the extraordinary Petersburg-Richmond Civil War landscape and the full cultural resources of Richmond, Virginia’s state capital, 25 miles north.
The Petersburg National Battlefield (1539 Hickory Hill Road, Petersburg) preserves the landscape of the Siege of Petersburg, with the original trenches, fortifications, and the Crater (the site of the July 30, 1864 explosion of a Union mine beneath the Confederate lines, followed by the assault on the Crater that resulted in one of the most catastrophic Union defeats of the siege). The battlefield is one of the most extensive and well-preserved Civil War landscapes in the eastern United States.
Pamplin Historical Park and the National Museum of the Civil War Soldier (6523 Duncan Road, Petersburg) is the most immersive Civil War museum in the Petersburg area, with exhibits on the experience of Civil War soldiers from both sides and the landscape of the April 2, 1865 breakthrough that ended the siege.
Old Towne Petersburg is the historic district on Sycamore Street and the adjacent blocks, with the antebellum commercial architecture, art galleries, restaurants, and the preserved urban fabric of the city that was under siege for nine months in 1864-1865.
Richmond (25 miles north via I-95) provides the full resources of Virginia’s capital: the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (one of the most comprehensive art museums in the South, with encyclopedic collections including Fabergé eggs and Art Nouveau objects), the American Civil War Museum at Historic Tredegar, the Museum and White House of the Confederacy, the Virginia State Capitol (designed by Thomas Jefferson), and the Richmond Slave Trail (the history of Richmond as the second-largest domestic slave market in the United States).
For parent visit dining: Old Towne Petersburg’s restaurant corridor for accessible local dining, and Richmond for the full range: The Roosevelt (Church Hill, one of the most celebrated Richmond restaurants), Brenner Pass (Carytown, alpine cuisine), or the Scott’s Addition neighborhood restaurant and brewery corridor.
When is Virginia State University Family Weekend 2026 and how do parents plan for it?
Virginia State University Homecoming and Family Weekend 2026 is October 3 to 10, 2026.
At Virginia State University, Homecoming and Family Weekend are combined into one celebration. Confirm the schedule on the VSU Homecoming 2026 and book accommodations early as hotel rooms near campus fill up fast during Homecoming week.
Comparing schools? See our 2026 parents weekend and family weekend dates for every college in one place.
Virginia State refunds tuition on a declining schedule after the semester starts, so timing a withdrawal matters.
A student must file an Official Withdrawal Form through the Academic Center for Excellence and complete a financial aid exit interview; if a student leaves without completing these steps, VSU treats the official withdrawal date as the midpoint of the semester, which can produce a worse refund outcome than withdrawing promptly and correctly.
Refund schedule: For students who did not receive Title IV aid, the tuition and fee reduction is 75% if withdrawal occurs within the first 10 days of attendance, 50% for the next 10 days, and 0% (no refund) after that. Students may also cancel with no charge up through the business day before school begins. For students who did receive Title IV aid, the refund instead follows the federal per diem proration formula up to the 60% point of the semester, with no refund after that point since aid is considered fully earned.. Confirmed via the official Virginia State refund policy page. Policies and dates change every term, so verify directly before making a decision.
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Most colleges do not refund 100% of tuition once the semester starts.
GradGuard Tuition Insurance can reimburse tuition, housing, and fees if a covered illness, injury, mental health condition, or other covered reason forces a withdrawal during the term. Plans must be purchased before the semester begins.
Incoming freshmen at Virginia State cannot get a parking permit without written authorization.
The university states plainly that no permit may be issued to incoming freshmen unless written authorization is received from the Director of Student Conduct. Getting an exemption requires a formal packet: a request form, class schedule, driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of employment or lease for commuters, filed with the Department of Student Conduct.
Freshman permit cost: not applicable to unexempted freshmen. The general student permit for other years is $85/academic year or $70/semester. Confirmed via the official Virginia State University parking page. Policies can change year to year, so verify before move-in.
Virginia State’s Homecoming and the CIAA athletics schedule provide the primary athletics events for families. The CIAA Tournament in Charlotte (February) is a major event for the broader CIAA community. Check vsu.edu/athletics for current Family Weekend and home game schedules.
Hotel strategy: Petersburg has hotel inventory along the I-95 corridor and the US-1 commercial area. Richmond (25 miles north) provides more extensive hotel options for families who prefer the state capital city’s hotel inventory.
How can parents support their Virginia State University student’s mental health?
Virginia State’s Counseling Services provides individual therapy, group therapy, crisis support, and psychiatric referrals.
The historical weight of the Petersburg landscape, where the nine-month siege that preceded emancipation and the founding of the university was fought on the ground that students cross every day, creates a specific historical consciousness for students studying and living in this part of Virginia.
VSU mental health and health resources:
- Counseling Services: contact via vsu.edu/counseling
- Student Health Services: contact via vsu.edu/health
- Crisis line: 988 (call or text, 24/7)
- Emergency: 911
Who do Virginia State University parents contact? Essential numbers and websites for families
Verify all phone numbers and URLs at vsu.edu before using, as contact information is subject to change.
- Student Affairs / Parent Resources: contact via vsu.edu/student-affairs
- Admission: contact via vsu.edu/admissions
- Financial Aid: contact via vsu.edu/financial-aid
- Housing: contact via vsu.edu/housing
- Counseling Services: contact via vsu.edu/counseling
- Student Health Services: contact via vsu.edu/health
- Campus Police (non-emergency): contact via vsu.edu/police
- Registrar: contact via vsu.edu/registrar
- Emergency: 911
Virginia State’s Academic Strengths
The College of Agriculture provides programs in agriculture, food science, and agricultural education that reflect VSU’s land-grant mandate for practical agricultural education and research. The Virginia Cooperative Extension Service, the Virginia Department of Agriculture, and the agricultural economy of the Virginia Piedmont and Southside regions create employment and research connections for VSU agriculture graduates.
The College of Engineering and Technology provides programs in computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and technology systems that connect to the Richmond and Northern Virginia technology employment corridor, including the significant federal government and defense technology employment of the Virginia Tidewater and Northern Virginia regions.
The College of Business provides undergraduate and MBA programs in accounting, finance, marketing, and management that connect to the Richmond business community and the broader Virginia corporate economy, including the financial services, healthcare, and technology employers concentrated in the Richmond and Northern Virginia metropolitan areas.
The College of Education provides teacher preparation and educational leadership programs for the Virginia public school system, reflecting VSU’s founding mission to prepare teachers and maintaining its ongoing commitment to education workforce development for the communities of southern Virginia.
Getting Your Student’s Stuff Home Between Semesters
RIC airport (30 miles north) provides national connectivity for end-of-semester travel. The Virginia Piedmont climate means December travel is generally weather-manageable, with occasional winter weather events. Storage Scholars specializes in student storage with residence hall pickup and delivery.
Full printable VSU dorm packing list
You Are a Virginia State Trojans Family Now
The Petersburg National Battlefield adjacent to the campus where the nine-month Siege of Petersburg that preceded Lee’s surrender at Appomattox is preserved in the trench lines and the Crater and the spring landscape of April 2, 1865 when the Confederate lines broke and the war ended.
Richmond 25 miles north where the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts has one of the most comprehensive collections in the South and the American Civil War Museum is at the Tredegar ironworks where Confederate artillery was cast. The Appomattox River running through the Petersburg landscape where the university has been training teachers and engineers and business professionals since 1882, when the state of Virginia established the first fully state-supported institution of higher learning for Black Americans.
Virginia State has been in Ettrick since 1882, adjacent to the city where the war ended and emancipation became fact, and in 144 years it has built a land-grant university that serves the agricultural, engineering, and professional education needs of the communities it was created to serve. The Trojans are in Ettrick. Richmond is 25 miles north. The battlefield is across the river.
Go Trojans.
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Last updated: May 2026. Tuition, dates, and policies subject to change. Verify all time-sensitive information at vsu.edu and vsu.edu/housing.
Where to stay near Virginia State University
Hotels near campus fill up fast on move-in and Family Weekend. This live map shows places to stay near Virginia State University. Drag the map or change the dates to fit your trip.
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What is Virginia State University’s graduation rate?
Virginia State University graduates 24.4% of students in four years; another 15 points finish within six. About 69.4% of first-year students return for sophomore year. Each bar is compared to the national average, marked by the vertical line.
24.6 pts below national
24.6 pts below national
11.6 pts below national
Here is how to read these numbers: the four-year and six-year rates show how many students finish on time and eventually, and retention shows how many return after the first year. Wherever your student lands, the habits that keep them on track matter most: a full, well-sequenced course load, an advisor meeting every term, and using campus support early. See why most students don’t graduate in four years and how to choose the right classes in the right order.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, most recent available data. National averages: NCES. Figures are for first-time, full-time bachelor’s-seeking students.
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Academic Calendar
Key dates for the Virginia State University 2026-2027 academic year. Always verify at the official Registrar page before making travel plans.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Fall 2026 classes begin | Monday, August 17, 2026 |
| Homecoming (football vs. Livingstone) | Saturday, October 10, 2026, 2:00 p.m. at Rogers Stadium |
| Trojan Wellness Days (no classes) | October 19 – October 20, 2026 |
| Thanksgiving break | November 25 – November 29, 2026 (residence halls close Nov. 25 at noon) |
| Fall final exams | December 3 – December 8, 2026 (administered virtually) |
| Spring 2027 classes begin | Tuesday, January 19, 2027 |
| Spring break | March 7 – March 14, 2027 |
| Spring final exams | May 6 – May 11, 2027 |
| Commencement | Saturday, May 15, 2027 |
Winter break housing: Most Virginia State residence halls close for winter break. Students who need to stay on campus must apply for break housing through Residential Life in November. Check the housing portal for specific closure dates and application deadlines.
What to Pack for Virginia State University
Every dorm is different, but these are the items parents of Virginia State University students buy most. Ship directly to campus and skip the trunk-stuffing stress.
Twin XL Bedding Set
Sheets, comforter, and pillowcases — buy before you arrive so the bed is ready day one.
Shower Caddy & Flip Flops
Shared bathrooms require these. Get a hanging caddy and waterproof sandals before move-in.
Surge Protector Power Strip
Most dorms allow 6-outlet surge protectors with USB ports. Check your school’s policy first.
Want the full list? See our complete college packing list →
Shipping to campus? Students get 6 months of Amazon Prime for Young Adults free, then half price on the student’s own account. Here is how it works.
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