What are Census Dates and Why are they Important?

Begin Promptly...Attend Regularly

When you register for a class at NOVA, you are making a commitment to attend the class regularly, either in person or online. Since the Commonwealth of Virginia contributes a significant portion of your educational costs, you must establish your attendance or participation early in the semester, rather than taking a seat that might have gone to another student.

If you do not attend at least one class meeting or participate in a Distance Learning class by the Census Date (Last Day to Drop with a Tuition Refund), your class registration will be administratively deleted.

Administrative deletion means:

• there will be no record of the class or any letter grade on your transcript;
• the course credits will be deducted from your course load;
• the reduction of credits may affect your student status (full-time or part-time); and
• you will not receive a tuition refund.

Fall 2011 Census Dates are as follows:

• First 8-week session in-person classes – August 29
• 16-week session in-person classes – September 8
• Second 8-week session in-person classes – October 27

ELI/Distance Learning Census Dates:

• First 8-week session – August 30
• First 12-week session – September 3
• First 16-week session – September 9
• Second 8-week session – September 14
• Second 12-week session – September 25
• Third 8-week session – October 4
• Fourth 8-week session – October 28

For all other class lengths (dynamic session classes), the Census Date is individually set. To find the Census Date for dynamic session classes, do the following:

• Go to: www.nvcc.edu
• Click on Current Students
• Under Academics, click on Schedule of Classes
• Click on the schedule and term from menu
• Enter Subject Area, Campus/Center, Session (Dynamic)
• Click Search
• Click on the 5-digit course ID for details The Census Date for that class (Drop with Refund) is printed on the bottom.

If you still need help, contact the Call Center: 703-323-3000.