Financial Aid Policies & Procedures

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Federal regulations require that a student receiving federal financial aid make satisfactory academic progress in accordance with the standards set by NOVA and the federal government.

Learn About Satisfactory Academic Progress

Awards, Adjustments, Disbursements & Refunds

Prior to the term census, financial aid awards are based on anticipated full-time enrollment. Awards may be reduced after the term census if a student is enrolled in fewer than 12 eligible credits. Disbursements for eligible students are typically processed at least once per week after the census date during the term for students who have attended at least 6 eligible credits past the session census. Refunds for any excess aid are generally received within 4 business days after aid disburses to a student's account if the student has set up direct deposit or within 14 business days if a check needs to be mailed.

Learn About Awards, Adjustments, Disbursements & Refunds

Buy Books & Supplies With Financial Aid

Use excess pending financial aid to buy or rent textbooks and supplies from the Campus Bookstore during the designated periods each semester. Purchases from the Campus Bookstore may be made online or in person after completing the Bookstore Authorization e-Form on your myNOVA To-Do List each year.

Learn About Buying Books & Supplies With Financial Aid

Financial Aid, Student Rights & Responsibilities

When you accept an offer of financial assistance from the Office of Financial Aid at Northern Virginia Community College, you are entering into an agreement with the college. There are certain rights and responsibilities associated with this agreement.

Financial Aid Students Rights & Responsibilities

Impact of Dropping, Withdrawing, Auditing or Not Attending a Course

Always contact the Financial Aid Office before dropping, withdrawing, auditing, or deciding not to attend a course to confirm how it will affect your financial aid.

Learn About the Impact of Dropping, Withdrawing, Auditing or Not Attending a Course

Student Loan Policies

In order to potentially borrow a loan, students must meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements and be enrolled in at least six eligible credits when the loan is awarded and disbursed. It is important to remember that student loans are a serious legal obligation that must be repaid. Students should only borrow what they need for their educational expenses and can afford to repay.

Student Loan Policies and Procedures

Educational Tax Credits

You or your parents may be able to claim tax credits toward the tuition paid for your post secondary education. Tax credits reduce the amount of tax you or your parents owe.

Learn About Educational Tax Credits

Fraud & Identity Theft

NOVA’s Financial Aid Office is working to prevent program abuse and to increase college-wide awareness on protecting your personal information.

Learn About Fraud & Identity Theft

Programs Ineligible for Financial Aid

At NOVA, all current associate degree programs qualify for financial aid. All credit-based certificate programs are also eligible. There are some other certificate and career studies certificate programs that are NOT eligible for financial aid.

If you are in an ineligible program and have applied for financial aid, it will be noted on your Student Financial Planning (SFP) portal.

Please check with an academic advisor regarding any questions about your program of study.

Financial aid cannot be awarded for programs that were discontinued more than 3 years ago. Programs that were discontinued more than 3 years ago may not be included on the list below.

Code	Program
221-299-06	Application Programming
221-882-01	Driver Education Instructor
221-732-01	Network Administration
6950	Uniform Certificate of General Studies (UCGS)

Code	Program
9681	Civil Engineering Technology, A.A.S.
2513	Digital Marketing Specialization, A.A.S.
9682	Drafting Specialization, A.A.S.
8311	Electrical Engineering Specialization, A.S.
9091	Emissions Specialization, A.A.S.
2123	Finance Specialization, A.A.S.
5290	Fine Arts, A.A.
5300	Fine Arts, A.A.A.
4270	Fire Science Technology, A.A.S.
2351	Food Service Management, A.A.S.
2125	Healthcare Administration Specialization, A.A.S.
7750	Hospitality Management, A.A.A.
7752	Hotel Management Specialization, A.A.S.
2121	International Business Specialization, A.A.S.
2514	International Marketing Specialization, A.A.S.
2510	Marketing, A.A.S.
9683	Mechanical Engineering Technology, A.A.S.
7753	Nutrition Management, A.A.S.
5301	Photography Specialization, A.A.A.
648B	Psychology Specialization, A.A.
2122	Public Management Specialization, A.A.S.
2515	Public Relations Specialization, A.A.S.
6693	Recreation Parks, and Leisure Studies, A.S.
6361	School-Age Child Specialization, A.A.S.
8821	Social Science/Psychology Specialization, A.S.

Code	Program
9300	Architectural Drafting
2500	Contract Management
2450	Culinary Arts
2970	Graphic Design: Multimedia Design
2670	Hospitality Management: Meeting, Event, and Exhibition Management

Code	Program
221-400-02	Administration of Justice: Security Management
221-648-01	African-American Studies
221-920-02	Diesel Mechanics Technology
221-648-02	Chinese Studies
221-514-23	Electronic Media in Design, Rendering and Animation
221-146-01	Emergency Medical Technician – Basic
221-146-03	Emergency Medical Technician – Intermediate
221-514-23	Electronic Media in Design Rendering and Animation
221-352-02	Graphic Design: Web Design Specialist
221-190-01	Health Science
221-648-04	Japanese Studies
221-648-05	Latin American Studies
221-251-02	Marketing
221-251-04	Marketing: Marketing Management
221-179-01	Massage Therapy
221-286-01	Medical Transcription
221-460-20	Outdoor Recreation and Resource Management
221-146-05	Paramedic
221-629-03	Paraprofessional Teacher Assistant
221-460-30	Recreation Programming and Administration