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Spring 2021 - Academic Calendar

Important Dates

Description Date
Academic Advising Week for Spring 2021 October 26-30
Priority Registration begins for continuing students. October 26
Open registration begins for all students. November 9
Tuition payment deadline if you register by December 8. If you register December 9 or after, you must pay your tuition before 5:00 p.m. the next business day. December 9
Buy books and supplies from the Bookstore with excess Financial Aid. December 28-January 27
College reopens. January 4
Martin Luther King Day Holiday observed for students, faculty and staff. College offices closed. January 18
Parking enforcement begins. January 28
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. January 28
Last day to apply for Spring graduation.* March 1
Spring Break March 8-14
Second period to use (undisbursed) financial aid at the bookstore. March 1-22
Final Exam Schedule April 27-May 3 

15-Week Session

Description Date
Last day to join class wait lists December 29
Classes begin January 11
Students may add or drop courses through NOVAConnect January 11-17
Last day to drop with a tuition refund or change to audit (census date)** January 27
Last day to withdraw without grade penalty*** March 19
Examinations end May 3

First 8-Week Session  

Description Date
Last day to join class wait lists. December 29
Classes begin January 11
Students may add or drop courses through NOVAConnect January 11-13
Last day to drop with a tuition refund or change to audit (census date)** January 19
Last day to withdraw without grade penalty*** February 13
Examinations end March 7

First 5-Week Session  

Description Date
Last day to join class wait lists. December 29
Classes begin January 11
Students may add or drop courses through NOVAConnect January 11-12
Last day to drop with a tuition refund or change to audit (census date)** January 16
Last day to withdraw without grade penalty*** February 1
Examinations end February 15

13-Week Session

Description Date
Last day to join class wait lists. January 11
Classes begin January 25
Students may add or drop courses through NOVAConnect January 25-30
Last day to drop with a tuition refund or change to audit (census date)** February 8
Last day to withdraw without grade penalty*** March 25
Examinations end May 3

Second 8-Week Session

Description Date
Last day to join class wait lists. March 2
Classes begin March 15
Students may add or drop courses through NOVAConnect March 15-17
Last day to drop with a tuition refund or change to audit (census date)** March 22
Last day to withdraw without grade penalty*** April 14
Examinations end May 3

Second 5-Week Session

Description Date
Last day to join class wait lists. February 3
Classes begin February 16
Students may add or drop courses through NOVAConnect February 16-17
Last day to drop with a tuition refund or change to audit (census date)** February 22
Last day to withdraw without grade penalty*** March 13
Examinations end March 29

Third 5-Week Session  

Description Date
Last day to join class wait lists. March 17
Classes begin March 30
Students may add or drop courses through NOVAConnect March 30-31
Last day to drop with a tuition refund or change to audit (census date)** April 4
Last day to withdraw without grade penalty*** April 20
Examinations end May 3

Plan Ahead

Description Date
Fall 2021 open registration begins May 3
Fall 2021 classes begin August 23

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 January 11 January 11-17 January 27 March 19
10-week March 1 March 1-5 March 10 April 8
First 5-week January 11 January 11-12 January 16 February 1
First 8-week January 11 January 11-13 January 19 February 13
First 12-week January 11 January 11-15 January 23 March 2
Second 5-week February 16 February 16-17 February 22 March 13
Second 8-week February 1 February 1-3 February 9 March 6
Second 12-week January 25 January 25-29 February 6 March 16
Third 5-week March 30 March 30-31 April 4 April 20
Third 8-week February 22 February 22-24 March 2 March 27
Third 12-week February 8 February 8-12 February 20 March 31
Fourth 8-week March 15 March 17 March 22 April 14

* 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. It is the student’s responsibility to officially drop a course before the applicable census date for the course to prevent being financially liable. This includes unpaid courses.

*** 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.

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