A New Student’s Guide to Applying for Credit Admission

NOTE: See "Special Populations" information of interest if you are a:

• Visiting (Transient) Student
• Prospective F-1 Student
• Individual High School Student
• High School or Home Schooled Student
• Member of the U.S. Military or a Military Dependent
• Senior Citizen
• Student with Disabilities
• Washington, D.C. Resident

NOVA has an open door admission policy. This means that any high school graduate or person 18 years of age or older with the ability to benefit can take advantage of the many academic opportunities we offer. In addition, some high school and home schooled students age 16 or older can earn college credit through NOVA with appropriate approvals. See "Special Populations" for details.

Step 1             Apply for Admission and Financial Aid

• If you are attending NOVA for the first time or if it has been three years or more since your last class at the College, you must submit an Application for Admission. Apply online at www.nvcc.edu — just click on the box that says “Apply Online.” You can also file a print application found at the back of the Schedule of Classes booklet, from the Admissions section of NOVA's website, or pick up an application at any of our six campus locations.

• If you apply online, your application typically will be processed within 24 to 48 hours. If you apply in person, processing of your application may take slightly longer. Once it is processed, you are automatically admitted to NOVA and can begin registering for classes.

• If you think you qualify for in-state tuition rates, you must also complete and submit the in-state tuition section of the application form. Tuition status must be established before your enroll in and pay for your classes. You can apply online at http://www.nvcc.edu/novaconnect/ or submit your application to any NOVA campus.

• If you wish to apply for student financial aid (including grants, loans and work-study), complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) submit all documents no later than March 31, 2008 in order to receive an offer of financial aid in sufficient time to pay institutional charges.  You may submit an online FAFSA at http://www.FAFSA.ed.gov.  After March 31, awards will continue to be made retroactively and funds will be disbursed after the add/drop period to the student’s mailing address.  If you were a late applicant for financial aid, you should make arrangements to pay your institutional charges by other means to ensure that your classes are not dropped. See the Applying for Financial Aid and Veteran's Benefits section for more information. You must include the College’s School Code: NVCC 003727 on the FAFSA.

• If you would like to pay your tuition in installments, you must enroll in the deferred tuition program before your tuition due date. For more information or to enroll online, go to www.nvcc.edu/tuitionandfees/facts.htm.

• General admission does not guarantee admission to all majors or programs. Admission to a specific program may be competitive or require minimum qualifications. In some instances, certain courses may be open only to students majoring in that program. You also may be asked to enroll in remedial courses to ensure you are academically prepared for college-level work.

RESTRICTED PROGRAMS Allied Health • Nursing • Veterinary Technology If you plan to apply to NOVA’s Allied Health, Nursing, or Veterinary Technology programs, you must meet the special admission requirements outlined in the “Instructional Programs” section of the NOVA Catalog. Because of limited laboratory, classroom and/or clinical space, certain programs can only accept a limited number of students. These programs have specific admission, program continuation and program completion criteria. For details, go to www.nvcc.edu/medical/ or consult the print or online version of NOVA’s Catalog (See Step 2).

Step 2             Consult Your NOVA Catalog
The NOVA Catalog describes the College’s degree and certificate programs, provides detailed course descriptions and outlines official college policies. You can pick up a free copy at any campus Student Services Center, or access the Catalog online at www.nvcc.edu/catalog.

Step 3             Take Placement Tests
NOVA has an open admissions policy, so SAT scores and other entrance examinations are not required to attend the College. However, you are required to take basic skills assessment and placement tests in writing, English and math to help you select courses appropriate to your educational goals and background. These are not tests for admission, but an important way to determine whether you have the skills necessary to succeed in specific College classes.

Students who scored 550 or better on the Critical Reading portion of the SAT exam are eligible to register for ENG 111 without further testing.  Students who already have a degree from an accredited U.S. college or university do not have to take the English placement test; however, they may still need to take the math placement test if they wish to take a math course. Placement tests are free and offered at the Testing Center at each campus. See the Directory of Services for the campus location and phone number. You will need to bring a photo ID card and your NovaConnect Student ID #. Allow approximately two hours for each test.

For details, consult your NOVA Catalog or go to www.nvcc.edu/resources/testing/testcenters.htm.  If you have questions about whether or not you need to take a placement test, contact the Counseling Office on the campus you’ll be attending.

Step 4             Contact the Student Services Center
If you are attending NOVA for the first time, we strongly encourage you to seek advising and orientation before choosing your classes. Please contact the Student Services Center at your preferred campus early to find out about appointments or walk-in advising.  Students with disabilities can meet with the counselor for Disability Services, and Financial Aid and Veterans’ advisors are also available. See the Directory of Services for phone numbers.

First-time students are encouraged to enroll in SDV 100 or a Student Development (SDV) elective during their first semester. You may check for open classes on the Web at www.nvcc.edu/novaconnect/.

Step 5             Enroll for Classes
To enroll for classes, use NovaConnect on the Web at www.nvcc.edu/novaconnect/ or the NovaConnect telephone enrollment system at 703-323-3770 or 703-330-3770 (Prince William County). Mailed or faxed schedule planning worksheets cannot be processed.

Step 6             Pay Your Tuition

See "Tuition, Payment & Refund Information" for a step-by-step guide to paying your tuition and fees.

If you enrolled in the Deferred Tuition Payment Plan, see the Web site for the payment schedule http://www.nvcc.edu/tuitionandfees/facts2083.htm.

If you enroll for classes between April 1 and April 30, payment for all classes is due May 1 by 5:00 p.m. In most cases, classes not paid for will be dropped after that date. However, it is your responsibility to drop any classes you decide not to attend. Beginning May 1, the tuition for any classes in which you enroll must be paid before the end of the next business day, or those classes may be dropped!

Please note that you are financially responsible for all classes for which you register. If you decide to drop a class, you must cancel it through NovaConnect or notify a campus Student Services Center. If you fail to do so, you will be charged for that class and may receive a failing grade.

• Financial Aid: If your anticipated financial aid award is enough to cover your entire tuition, your classes will be held until it arrives. You can view your anticipated aid on NovaConnect under Self Service > Campus Finances > Account Inquiry or Make A Payment.

• If your award is not enough to cover your entire balance by the deadline, you risk losing classes unless you:

  • pay the balance by the deadline, or
  • enroll in NOVA's Tuition Payment Plan prior to the tuition due date, or
  • apply for a student loan to cover the additional costs, if you are eligible.

Step 7             Check Your Enrollment Schedule
You can print a copy of your schedule using the NovaConnect Web site at www.nvcc.edu/novaconnect/. You also can check your classes and payment status by calling telephone enrollment (see Step 5). Be sure to check for errors and verify that you have enrolled for the courses that you want, and that all tuition and fees have been paid. If there are any errors, contact a campus Student Services Center immediately.

IMPORTANT: Be sure to print a copy of your enrollment schedule every time you make changes.

Step 8             Buy Your Books
Print your schedule of classes and take it to the campus bookstore where the course is taught, or buy your books online at www.bkstore.com/nvcc/. If you have received a financial aid award, you may use it to purchase books ten days before the first day of the session through the last day to drop with a refund.

24 HOURS AFTER YOU ENROLL:

Step 9              Buy Your Parking Permit
                         (not required at ARL, RES, or off-campus locations)

• Save time.  Don’t stand in line.
• Go to http://parking.nvcc.edu

Buy online beginning May 1, 2008, at http://parking.nvcc.edu. Your permit will be mailed to you.  You can print a temporary seven-day pass from the Web site to use immediately.

Parking Offices accept only cash or checks for permits until the first day of classes.  Once classes begin, Parking Offices will also accept credit cards.

Permits are required for all vehicles parked in all campus lots except at parking meters and hourly pay lots. Student permits are valid only in “B” lots. Parking enforcement on “B” lots will resume for the Summer term at 6 a.m. on May 27, 2008.

The charge for a parking permit is $65 per term. A current semester parking permit is required for all semesters/sessions of enrollment. To use the parking garages at the Annandale and Medical Education campuses without any additional charge, you must have a NovaCard ID as well as a valid parking permit. Hourly pay parking is also available in the garages if you do not have a current permit and ID card.

Information about the College Parking Program is contained in the Parking Brochure on the Parking Web site http://parking.nvcc.edu.

Step 10              Get Your Student Identification Card (NOVACARD)
Your first NovaCard is free. It serves as your library card; with the addition of cash at a NovaCard machine, it can be used for copying, printing, and designated café and vending locations on campus. The Novacard is also required for valid parking permit holders who wish to use the Annandale or Medical Education campus garages. For more information, go to www.nvcc.edu/Novacard

Step 11              Activate Your Free Student E-mail Account
Your NOVA e-mail account will be an important communication tool for you as a student. Our faculty may only use your official NOVA e-mail address to contact you about class assignments and other important information, course updates and time-sensitive notices. You will often be asked to return your work by e-mail.  You can forward your e-mails to another account if you choose. For instructions on using your account go to www.nvcc.edu/ithd/studentmail.html.