By the top stud I'm assuming you mean the top horizontal plate. Typically a central vacuum installer would bore a hole through the top plate for the vertical pipe drop rather than cut the plate out. This is a neater installation, but it also avoids any structural issues with the wall. After all the central vac installer isn't a framer and doesn't want to take the time to see how the top of the wall is anchored, determine if any reinforcing is going to be required, etc. That said, if you don't have the proper tools, you probably can get away removaing a section of the top plate if it's in a non-critical location and the adjacent cut ends are adequately secured in place. It probably would be a good idea to bridge the cutout with metal guard plates so when the wall finish (drywall?) is put on no nails or screws make there way into the vacuum pipe. Good luck.

Picked up my Vacuflo DIY kit today--a reasonable $45 per valve. By contrast, my brother had one valve installed by the company for $225. Seemed to have the right number of adapters/tubing/wiring to easily get the job done.

Thanks Formulaross for the advice. Will drill a hole through the top plate for the vertical tube. Unfortunately, the vacuflo valve itself isn't exactly the same as the one my home has (built 1996). Luckily, it looks like the rough-in for the valve should work with the old or new style valve so I should be covered.