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ANNANDALE, VA., September 17, 2020:  The NOVA Educational Foundation (NOVA Foundation) is proud to announce a gift of $20,000 from the Northwest Federal Credit Union to support grant awards to NOVA students who experience unforeseen financial emergencies due to COVID-19 or the economic downturn that followed the pandemic.  The Northwest Federal Credit Union Foundation focuses its support on students at the Alexandria, Loudoun, and Manassas campuses, and its most recent contribution in 2020 brings its total investment in the NOVA Foundation’s Student Emergency Aid Fund to $70,000 since 2017.

The NOVA Foundation launched its COVID-19 Emergency Student Aid Fund in mid-March to facilitate the rapid delivery of emergency grants to students who most need funding to continue toward their goal of achieving a college education. The aim of the fund is to meet students’ basic needs to help them stay in school, thrive in a remote learning environment and continue progress toward their degrees. Students may apply for assistance to support housing, food, technology for remote learning, as well as childcare and healthcare costs.

“While the pandemic has affected us all, its impact has not been felt equally, and NOVA students have been particularly hard hit by the financial challenges it has created. At this unprecedented moment, Northwest Federal Credit Union Foundation has stepped up their support with a generous gift that will help our students when they need it most. NOVA is extremely grateful for NWFCU Foundation’s partnership, and our students are thankful for this investment in their futures,” said Anne M. Kress, president of NOVA.

“We are honored to continue our support of Northern Virginia Community College’s Helping Hands and Lifeline programs,” said President and CEO of Northwest Federal Credit Union and Chairman of NWFCU Foundation, Jeff Bentley. “These programs provide critical support for students pursuing their dreams of higher education, and we are thankful to our donors who allow us to assist with these efforts.”

“Having received more than 2,000 applications for emergency aid within the first week the grant was available, we know our students need this help to gain access to technology to stay in school; not to mention meeting their most basic needs for food and shelter during this difficult time,” said Kelly Persons, executive director, NOVA Foundation. “This generous gift allows us to help our most vulnerable students.”

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About the NOVA Foundation

Founded in 1979, the NOVA Foundation is dedicated to supporting Northern Virginia Community College’s goal of providing all students with a high-quality, life-changing education. The NOVA Foundation, through its donors, funds more than 300 scholarships, emergency aid grants and a range of academic programs and student services throughout the College's six campuses and NOVA Online. By connecting donors to NOVA programs, the Foundation raises funds, increases visibility and strengthens partnerships among the College, individual donors, businesses and state and local communities. Additional information about the NOVA Foundation can be found at: https://giving.nvcc.edu.

About Northwest Federal Credit Union Foundation 

The NWFCU Foundation was established in 2004 to promote and manage Northwest Federal Credit Union’s philanthropic activities. The mission of NWFCU Foundation is to empower young people to achieve their goals by helping them learn, excel and celebrate life and by supporting their health, well-being and education. The NWFCU Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization.

Donations are tax deductible to the extent permissible by law for those who itemize deductions. For more information, visit www.nwfcufoundation.org.