How to Apply for Financial Aid

• When applying for admission, please provide your Social Security number (SSN) on the admission application so that your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be received and linked to your file. If your SSN was not listed on your admission application, please contact Student Services to correct your record.
• Contact a counselor to declare an eligible major if you did not do so when you applied for admission.
• Most one-and two-year programs at NOVA are eligible.
• Transfer students should request official transcripts from all schools previously attended and request a transfer credit evaluation by the College Records Office.

• If submitting a FAFSA to apply for Federal Student Aid, create an account (FSA ID) through the Federal Student Aid website. 
• All individuals who enter information on a student’s FAFSA (i.e. contributors), including parents or a spouse, must have their own StudentAid.gov account (FSA ID) with a different email address.

• If you meet the Basic Eligibility Requirements to apply for Federal Student Aid, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on the Federal Student Aid website. Click "FAFSA Form" then click "Complete the FAFSA form."
• If you are INELIGIBLE to File a FAFSA, submit the Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) application if you meet the VASA eligibility requirements outlined on the VASA page.
• Submit the 2026-2027 FAFSA or VASA for Fall 2026, Spring 2027, and Summer 2027.
• Submit the 2027-2028 FAFSA or VASA for Fall 2027, Spring 2028, and Summer 2028.
• Enter NOVA's federal school code (003727) on the FAFSA or select NOVA on the VASA application.
• Be sure that your name on the FAFSA exactly matches the name on your Social Security card.
• Contact the Financial Aid Office if you need assistance.
• Remember to submit the FAFSA or VASA to reapply for financial aid each academic year.

• Within 1 to 3 days after you submit your FAFSA online, you should receive an email from the U.S. Department of Education with instructions on how to access your FAFSA Submission Summary online. Carefully review it to ensure it is correct and complete.
• Read the comments on your FAFSA Submission Summary and verify that your FAFSA was not rejected. Also make sure that NOVA's school code (003727) is listed.
• You may correct any mistakes on the Federal Student Aid website.

• Verify if additional information has been requested. 
• Log into myNOVA and click: SIS: Student Information System.  Click the "Financial Aid" tile.  Select the Northern Virginia SFP Portal.  Review the items on the SFP homepage that indicate "Pending" and submit the required documentation.

• Some students are selected for verification by the U.S. Department of Education or NOVA.
• Promptly submit any requested items.
• Contact the Financial Aid Office if you need assistance.

• You will be notified via your myNOVA Message Center when you are offered financial aid.
• You may then review the type(s) and amount(s) of assistance you were offered by logging into myNOVA and clicking SIS: Student Information System. Click on the Financial Aid tile and go to the SFP “Financial” page to review your award.
• In section two of the SFP Financial page you can take action to accept, decline or reduce any offered student loans.
• If you decide to borrow a student loan, complete a Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling on the Federal Student Aid website.
• Note that aid offered prior to the term census (which is the last day to drop with a tuition refund for the longest session of the fall, spring, or summer term) is based on anticipated full-time enrollment in courses required for your program. If you register for less than 12 eligible credits, your aid may be adjusted after the census.
• Aid will be adjusted throughout the term if enrollment status and aid eligibility change due to dropped courses or non-attendance, as explained on our policies and procedures website.

• Select and enroll in your courses before the term census date (i.e. the last day to drop with a tuition refund for the longest session of the fall, spring, or summer term).
  Pell Grant eligibility is determined by the credits in which you are enrolled and are attending as of that date. Neither Pell Grant nor state aid will increase if you add classes later.
• Aid can only be offered for courses that are required for your degree or certificate. Review your  Advisement Report to ensure your courses are required.
• Contact an advisor to discuss your courses if you have any questions.

If you did not opt out of the NOVA All Access program, the cost of your course materials is included in the charges shown on your myNOVA SIS account summary.  Information on obtaining your course materials through the NOVA All Access program is provided at this page.  

If you need to use excess financial aid to purchase items through the NOVA bookstore, complete the Bookstore Authorization e-Form if not completed in a previous year. This form only appears as a To Do Item in myNOVA if you are potentially eligible to use financial aid at the bookstore.

• Determine if your pending financial aid covers your balance based on your current enrollment and pay any remaining balance by the payment deadline.
• One option to consider is the NOVA payment plan.
• Note that you are responsible for dropping any courses you do not plan to attend by the deadline to drop with a tuition refund as indicated on the academic calendar.

• A check may be mailed to your address listed in myNOVA for any credit balance on your account if you do not set up direct deposit as your refund preference.  It may take up to 14 business days to receive a check after the refund is posted to your account in SIS.  Direct deposit refunds are usually received faster.
• If your address has changed, contact Student Services or update your mailing address on your myNOVA Student Center under Personal Information.
• Approximately four weeks into the term (if enrollment and attendance have been established at that time), financial aid is disbursed to student accounts in SIS.

• NOVA processes refunds through Nelnet Campus Commerce.
• Refunds may take up to 14 business days to be received after the refund is posted to a student’s account in SIS.
• You might receive multiple refunds due to the timing of different types of aid disbursing to your account.
• Direct Deposit (ACH - Highly Recommended): If you have direct deposit set up, the refunds are usually deposited faster. Please note: Enrolling in Direct Deposit via Nelnet is strongly encouraged to ensure you receive your funds quickly and securely.