Welcome to the Northern Virginia Community College Website

Accessibility Navigation:

myNOVA

Fall 2021 - Academic Calendar

Important Dates

Description Date

Fall 2021 Priority Registration begins for continuing students.

May 1

Fall 2021 Open Registration begins for all students.

May 3

Academic Advising Week for Fall 2021

May 3-7

Tuition payment deadline if you register by August 1. If you register August 2 or after, your tuition payment is due the next day. NOVA will not drop you for non-payment.

August 2

Buy books and supplies at the Bookstore with excess financial aid

August 9-September 8

Students enrolled in Canvas classes

August 18

Labor Day Holiday observed for students, faculty and staff. College offices closed.

September 6

Financial aid adjustments begin.  Classes added on or after this date for the current term will not increase your eligibility for financial aid grants.  Aid may be reduced for students enrolled in less than 12 eligible credits.  Information on financial aid awards, disbursements and refunds is available here

September 9

Parking enforcement on Student B Lots begins at 6:00 a.m. Students are not required to display a permit while parked in a B lot after 3:45 p.m. on weekdays or anytime on weekends.

September 9

Last day to apply for Fall graduation.*

October 1

Second period to use excess (undisbursed) financial aid at the Bookstore

October 5-27

Non-instructional days/no classes. College open.

October 11-12

Election day/no classes. College offices closed.

November 2

Non-instructional day/no classes. College offices close at noon. Thanksgiving Holiday.

November 24

Non-instructional day/no classes. College offices closed. Thanksgiving Holiday.

November 25-28

Final Exams

December 7-13

Winter Break for students, faculty, and staff. College offices closed. NOVAConnect registration only.

December 24-January 2

15-Week Session

Description Date

Last day to join class wait lists

August 10

Classes begin

August 23

Students may add or drop courses through NOVAConnect.

August 23-29

Last day to drop with a tuition refund or change to audit (census date)*

September 8

Last day to withdraw without grade penalty***

October 29

Examinations end

December 13

First 7-Week Session

Description Date

Last day to join class wait lists

August 10

Classes begin

August 23

Students may add or drop courses through NOVAConnect.

August 23-25

Last day to drop with a tuition refund or change to audit (census date)**

August 30

Last day to withdraw without grade penalty***

September 21

Examinations end

October 10

First 5-Week Session

Description Date

Last day to join class wait lists

August 10

Classes begin

August 23

Students may add or drop courses through NOVAConnect.

August 23-24

Last day to drop with a tuition refund or change to audit (census date)**

August 28

Last day to withdraw without grade penalty***

September 13

Examinations end

September 27

13-Week Session

Description Date

Last day to join class wait lists

August 24

Classes begin

September 7

Students may add or drop courses through NOVAConnect.

September 7-12

Last day to drop with a tuition refund or change to audit (census date)**

September 20

Last day to withdraw without grade penalty***

November 4

Examinations end

December 13

Second 7-Week Session

Description Date

Last day add name to wait lists

October 6

Classes begin

October 19

Students may add or drop courses through NOVAConnect.

October 19-21

Last day to drop with a tuition refund or change to audit (census date)**

October 27

Last day to withdraw without grade penalty***

November 21

Examinations end

December 13

Second 5-Week Session

Description Date

Last day to join class wait lists

September 15

Classes begin

September 28

Students may add or drop courses through NOVAConnect.

September 28-29

Last day to drop with a tuition refund or change to audit (census date)**

October 3

Last day to withdraw without grade penalty***

October 19

Examinations end

November 2

Third 5-Week Session

Description Date

Last day to join class wait lists

October 21

Classes begin

November 3

Students may add or drop courses through NOVAConnect.

November 3-4

Last day to drop with a tuition refund or change to audit (census date)**

November 9

Last day to withdraw without grade penalty***

November 27

Examinations end

December 13

NOVA Online Dates

NOVA Online/NOL Dates

Start Date

Students may Add or Drop Courses through NOVAConnect 

Last Day to Drop with a Tuition Refund or Change to Audit (Census Date)

Last Withdrawal Dates

15-week

August 23

August 23-29

September 8

October 29

First 7-week

August 23

August 23-25

August 30

September 21

Second 7-week

September 7

September 7-9

September 14

October 6

Third 7-week

September 20

September 20-22

September 27

October 9

Fourth 7-week

October 19

October 19-21

October 27

November 21

10-week

October 5

October 5-9

October 15

November 16

First 12-week

August 23

August 23-27

September 4

October 12

Second 12-week

September 7

September 7-11

September 19

October 27

Third 12-week

September 20

September 20-24

October 2

November 9

 

 

 

 

 

Plan Ahead

Spring 2022 open registration begins

November 1

Spring 2022 classes begin

January 18

* Earlier application is highly recommended.
** To find the last day to drop with refund (census date) for a variable duration (dynamic) course, go to the Schedule of Classes, search for the course, and then click on the class number of the section. The last day to “drop with refund” will be listed at the bottom of the course information.
*** Withdrawals after this date require documentation of mitigating circumstances and permission of the instructor and the academic dean. Please check NOVAConnect for start dates and census dates for variable duration (dynamic) sessions.
Please check NOVAConnect for start dates and census dates for variable duration (dynamic) sessions.


All dates subject to change. Check back here for the most up-to-date information.

Top