Applying to nOVA

Applying to NOVA | Admissions | Overseas Application Process | F-1 Transfer Students

Northern Virginia Community College is authorized to issue I-20 documents.  You will need the I-20 in order to request an F-1 visa or F-1 status. See Overseas F-1 Application Process for more information.

 

REQUIRED FORMS
You will need to submit three (3) forms.  All these forms can be downloaded from this website.

1. Apply online at www.nvcc.edu.  If you apply online, you will be issued a Student ID number.  It is important to include that ID Number on all your other forms.  (If you prefer, you can download an NOVA Application Form
   
   
   • You will be asked if you wish to take classes for credit, non-credit or both.  Please choose “both” for your answer. If you intend to begin your studies at NOVA as an ESL student, you should mark non-credit.  If you are applying to study for an associate degree and you are a native English speaker or you are sending a TOEFL score, you should mark credit.
     
     
   • You will be asked if you plan to pursue a degree.  Please include the academic program you intend to pursue at NOVA. (Due to the restricted nature of some programs, such as Nursing, Veterinary Technology, and Dental Hygiene, some programs are currently not  available to F-1 students.)
     
     
2. I-20 Application Form 
   
   
3. Financial Statement Form recently signed by your financial sponsor(s) (dated not more than 6 months before the start of the semester for which you are applying).  Please provide all financial information in English and in U.S. Dollars. 

 

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

1. Evidence that you have completed the equivalent of a U.S. high school education.  You will need to submit an official English translation of your secondary or high school diploma or certificate. Provide an official or certified copy of one of the following:
   
   
• Your secondary school diploma or certificate equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma OR
• Documentation of your attendance in a university-level program

If you are applying to the college before you have completed your secondary education, please ask your high school to provide an official letter stating the date by which you will have received your diploma or certificate.  Include that letter with your application. All academic documents must include official English translations.

Participants in a J-1 Au Pair or Summer Work Travel program may demonstrate that they have meet this requirement by providing a copy of the DS 2019.

2. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score.  You TOEFL must not be more than 2 years old.  If you do not have a TOEFL score, or if your TOEFL score is below the required score, you may still apply.  The College will process your application for the intensive English program.
   
   
   • If you come from a country where English is the official language and it is your first language, the TOEFL is not required.
   • If you are applying for the Intensive English Language Program, the TOEFL is not required.
   • If you are in the United States and are able to visit the college, you can take the college English Placement Test and submit those scores in place of TOEFL scores.
     
   All incoming students, including those with acceptable TOEFL scores, will be required to take NOVA’s English placement test prior to enrolling in classes at the college.
   
   Required TOEFL score:        
   Paper based         500
   Computer based   173
   iBT                           61
   
   Required IELTS score:           5.0
   
   If you are applying for a academic degree program, request that your most recent TOEFL Score Report be mailed to NOVA (Visit the TOEFL website and scroll down to Spotlight: TOEFL Score Report Requests for more information). Use the institutional code number below for the NOVA campus you wish to attend.
   
   TOEFL Institution Codes
   5510    Alexandria Campus
   5515    Annandale Campus
   5774    Manassas Campus
   5775    Loudoun Campus
   5617    Woodbridge Campus
   
   
3. Recent bank statement from your financial sponsor (dated not more than 6 months before the start of the semester for which you are applying) showing that your sponsor has sufficient funds to meet the financial obligation to support you while you study and live in the U.S. The bank statement must be officially translated into English.
   
   
4. Photocopy of your passport ID page.
   
   
5. Include a brief statement explaining why you want to study at Northern Virginia Community College.

Students who qualify to enter the college for academic studies may begin in either the fall or spring semester.  Students entering the college for the intensive English program may enter fall, spring or summer semesters.

Application Deadlines for Academic Studies:
Fall Semester Deadline: June 1
Spring Semester Deadline: November 1

Application Deadlines for Intensive English-Language Training Only:
Fall Semester Deadline: June 1
Spring Semester Deadline: November 1
Summer Session Deadline: March 15

MAILING ADDRESSES
All forms and documents should be mailed or delivered directly to the Office of International Student Services no later than the deadlines stated above. Click here to see a map of the NOVA Campuses:

Office of International Students, Alexandria Campus
Diane Reukauf, Ph.D.
Office of International Students
Northern Virginia Community College
3001 North Beauregard Street
Alexandria, VA 22311

Office of International Students, Annandale Campus
Stephen Bennett
Northern Virginia Community College
8333 Little River Turnpike
Annandale, VA 22003

Office of International Students, Loudoun Campus
Gert Heslin
Northern Virginia Community College
1000 Harry Flood Byrd Highway
Northern Virginia Community College
Sterling, VA 20164

Office of International Students, Manassas Campus
Donna M. Vandevender (Academic Programs)
Northern Virginia Community College
6901 Sudley Road
Manassas, VA 20109

Heidi Adamson (English as a Second Language)
Northern Virginia Community College
6901 Sudley Road
Manassas, VA 20109

Office of International Students, Woodbridge Campus
Zina Jemison
Northern Virginia Community College
15200 Neabsco Mills Road
Woodbridge, VA 22191

Once the college reviews your documents and determines that you have met all the requirements, the college will mail an I-20 form to you at the address you provided on your application form. The I-20 is the official document you will need to present to the U.S. Embassy in order to receive an F1 visa (student visa). (See the section on Applying for Your Visa.)

You are strongly encouraged to purchase health insurance, either before you travel to the U.S. or once you arrive.

Checklist for Required Forms and Documents
Below you will find a summarized checklist of the items that you will need in order to study at NOVA. Make sure to visit Applying to NOVA for the complete set of instructions on the application process.

NOVA Application Form

I-20 Application Form 

Financial Statement Form

Evidence that you have completed the equivalent of a U.S. high school education.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score.

Recent bank statement from your financial sponsor showing that your sponsor has sufficient funds to meet the financial obligation to support you while you study and live in the U.S.

Photocopy of your passport ID page.

A brief statement explaining why you want to study at Northern Virginia Community College.

* Some may not need a TOEFL. See Applying to NOVA for Complete List of Requirements.