New Students

Getting Started

NOVA makes it easy with our open-door admission policy. You are eligible for admission if you are:

  • A high school or GED graduate.
  • A non-high school graduate 18 years of age or older and able to benefit academically from enrollment as demonstrated by reading, writing, and mathematics assessments.
  • A transfer student from an accredited college or university.
  • A current high school junior or senior who is 16 or older has parental permission and a permission letter from the high school for Dual Enrollment.

Applying to NOVA is the first step in navigating your journey into higher education.

1. Apply for Admission

  • Complete the Application for Admission
  • On your admissions application, select a program of study and feel free to modify it later.
  • After submitting your online application, save the confirmation page, which includes your student ID number and myNOVA username.
  • Send your official high school and college transcripts to NOVA.

Past students:

  • If it’s been 3 years or less contact the IT helpdesk for assistance with your username/password.
  • If it’s been more than 3 years - Reapply

Dual Enrollment

  • If you plan to take NOVA classes while in high school, please see the Dual Enrollment coach for assistance.

International Applicants

  • International applicants must follow specific application deadlines. For more information, refer to the International Admissions page.

2. Activate your myNOVA Account and complete the Multi-factor Authentication Security (MFA).

  • Activate your myNOVA account within 24 hours using the temporary password provided. After 24 hours, the password will expire and you will be required to reset it.
  • To ensure the security of your account, please set up MFA (Multi-factor Authentication) For assistance, please contact the IT Helpdesk.

3.  Complete the Direct Enrollment or Self-Placement Survey

  • Upon activating your account, please complete the survey immediately to expedite your enrollment in classes.
  • Please note that high school students currently applying for NOVA classes before graduation (such as Dual Enrollment, Early College, or STEM) should NOT complete the survey.

4. Register for Classes

5. Tuition Payment Options

  • Apply for Financial Aid.
    • Complete your (FAFSA) online early at www.fafsa.gov 
      • using CVCC School Code of 003727 to have your FAFSA information sent to Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA). 
    • Learn more about the Types of Aid offered at NOVA.
  • NOVA Payment Plan: consider entering the payment plan early and taking advantage of spread-out payments.
  • Scholarships: apply early for many Scholarship opportunities offered by NOVA.
  • Third-Party Payment: follow up with your company or organization on employee tuition.

Financial Check-in Reminder!

As a reminder to any student who enrolls in a class at NOVA, the student is responsible for paying for that class after enrolling, or the student must have other payment arrangements in place (payment plan, third-party billing, Veterans Benefits, financial aid etc.). Don’t Wait! Check your message center for notifications.

6. Parking and NOVACard

  • If you plan to park on campus, please visit the Parking Services website to order your permit.
  • Acquire your NOVACard which serves as the official identification card for NOVA.