Immediate release:
ANNANDALE, Va. (June 25, 2026) -- Northern Virginia Community College has launched the Family Forward Childcare Program, supported by a $250,000 grant to the Northern Virginia Community College Educational Foundation from the Northrop Grumman Foundation. This fund provides a vital lifeline for NOVA parenting students, providing resources to address childcare as a barrier, increase successful graduation rates and improve economic mobility. The fund aims to alleviate critical gaps and challenges that parenting students face every day.
A generational investment
“By partnering with the Northrop Grumman Foundation, we are removing the barriers that stand in the way of high-quality education and a career for our parenting students,” said NOVA President Anne M. Kress. “This is a generational investment in the stability of our parenting students and the strength of our regional workforce.”
“Our contribution to the Family Forward Child Care Program reflects our commitment to strengthening the communities where we live and work. Supporting parenting students in STEM strengthens our community,” said Agartha Larbi, president of the Northrop Grumman Foundation. “When parents gain new skills and credentials, their children also grow and benefit.”
The Family Forward Childcare Program ensures that a lack of quality childcare does not force talented students to drop out. By filling this void, the program focuses on the following key areas of impact:
- Offsets childcare costs: Directly covers or offsets the expense of licensed childcare for parenting students (averaging $2,500 in support per student based on data from NOVA’s previous federal program).
- Prioritizes high-demand pathways: Focuses support on military-affiliated students and those enrolled in high-demand STEM, medical education and skilled trades pathways.
- Empowers career readiness: Provides immediate security for children so that parents can focus on earning degrees, certifications or industry credentials necessary for economic mobility.
The critical need
- The greatest barrier: 71% of parenting students cite caregiving responsibilities as the single biggest threat to staying in school (Center for Community College Student Engagement 2025).
- Completion gap: Nationally, only 28% of parenting students graduate within six years, despite often maintaining higher GPAs than their peers (New America).
The proven impact of support
Data from NOVA’s previous childcare support initiatives shows that when the childcare barrier is removed, parenting students perform at an elite academic level:
- Exceptional success: Recipients successfully completed 87% of all credits attempted (with grades of A, B or C).
- Dean’s List performance: 69% of recipients achieved a 3.0 GPA or higher, with 26% of those students achieving a perfect 4.0 GPA.
The program will support students throughout the 2026 calendar year.
Media Contact: Kathy Parkinson | 703-577-2828 | kparkinson@nvcc.edu
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About the Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) Educational Foundation
The NOVA Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) established in 1979, raises private funding and facilitates partnerships to advance Northern Virginia Community College's strategic priorities and emerging needs. Led by a dedicated professional staff and a volunteer Board of Directors, the Foundation’s initiatives include expanded campus facilities, student scholarships and grants, educational equipment, faculty retention and innovative programs across the college’s six campuses. For more information, visit giving.nvcc.edu.
About Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA)
Northern Virginia Community College is the largest public institution of higher education in the commonwealth of Virginia and one of America’s largest community colleges. NOVA enrolls more than 76,000 students at its six campuses in Alexandria, Annandale, Loudoun, Manassas, Springfield and Woodbridge and through NOVA Online. For more information about NOVA and its programs or services, call 703-323-3000 or visit NOVA’s website.
About the Northrop Grumman Foundation
The Northrop Grumman Foundation contributes to nonprofit organizations and schools to support science, technology, engineering and math education and workforce development initiatives that help increase access to and participation in education and build the pipeline to the technical workforce.