Available Grants

Federal Pell Grant

This is the largest federal grant program. The amount awarded is based on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is calculated when you submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Federal Pell Grants are available year-round (including the summer term), but if you attend full-time in both the fall and spring terms you must take at least six eligible credits to potentially receive a summer Federal Pell Grant.

A lifetime Federal Pell Grant limit that equates to 12 full-time semesters applies. Before the term census (i.e. the last day to drop with a tuition refund for the longest session of the fall, spring, or summer term), Federal Pell Grants are offered based upon anticipated full-time enrollment. Federal Pell awards will be reduced after the term census for less than full-time enrollment and will not be increased if courses are added later in the term.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

This federal program offers grants to eligible students enrolled in at least six eligible credits. You must show exceptional financial need and be pursuing your first baccalaureate degree.

Virginia Commonwealth Award

This grant may be offered to qualified students who are enrolled at least half-time, demonstrate financial need and are domiciled residents of Virginia.

Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP)

This program provides awards up to the cost of tuition and fees to eligible students who graduated from a Virginia high school with a 2.5 cumulative GPA and who are residents of Virginia. A cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required for renewal and awards may only be received two times while attending NOVA (once per grade level). To be considered for VGAP, you must submit a final, official high school transcript to the Financial Aid Office in addition to completing the financial aid application.

Part-Time Tuition Assistance Grant (PTAP)

These grants are funded by the Virginia Community College System and can be applied toward tuition for qualified students who demonstrate financial need. Recipients must be domiciled residents of Virginia and be enrolled in 1-8 required credits per term.

Northern Virginia Community College Tuition Assistance Grant (NOVA TAG)

This program provides assistance to full- and part-time students enrolled in at least six required credits who demonstrate financial need.

Emergency Grant

If your financial situation has been negatively impacted, you may submit an income appeal.  You may also contact your campus Financial Aid Office to discuss emergency aid options or check with NOVA's Financial Stability and Advocacy Centers about other financial resources that may be available.

Virginia Community College System Tuition Grant

VCCS Grants are provided to a limited number of qualified domiciliary residents of Virginia who demonstrate financial need. You must be enrolled in at least nine required credits.

Virginia Foster Care Grant

This grant provides tuition and fees at any Virginia community college for high school graduates or General Education Development (GED) completers who were in foster care, in the custody of a social services agency, or considered a special needs adoption at the time of graduation or completion of their GED. You must be enrolled in at least six required credits.

Federal Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant

If you are not eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, but your parent or guardian was a member of the US Armed Forces and died as a result of service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001, you may be eligible to receive this grant. You must be under 24 years of age or enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of your parent’s or guardian’s death.

District of Columbia Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG)

This program provides eligible students up to $10,000 per academic year (a maximum of $5,000 per semester) toward the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at public colleges. Awards will be reduced for less than full-time enrollment and canceled if you are enrolled less than half-time.