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Information for Special Populations

Information for Special Populations

High School and Home Schooled Students

High school juniors and seniors (or the home school equivalent) may be eligible to take NOVA credit classes through dual enrollment. 

In addition to courses offered on campus, NOVA classes are held at several local high schools. Ask your high school counselor or visit Dual Enrollment for available course options.

All dual enrollment students must meet admission, placement and course prerequisite requirements. Details are provided on the dual enrollment website.

Military Members and their Dependents

NOVA offers on-site credit classes for active duty, National Guard and reservist service members and their dependents at Fort Myer Army, Fort Belvoir, the Pentagon and the Lifelong Learning Centers at Henderson Hall and Quantico Marine Installation. Many classes are compressed to meet demanding schedules. See Military Services for admission information.

Attention: Veterans and Dependents. NEW! NOVA has a new process for all military and veteran students using federal education benefits to pay for tuition and receive a housing allowance. Student veterans and dependents will now register and submit the Veterans Registration Enrollment Form online. See Military Services for new information.

International Students

NOVA is one of the most internationally diverse colleges in the US, with enrolled students representing more than 180 countries. International students must enroll in a specified number of credit hours each term to maintain F-1/M-1 status. International student advisors on each campus can help you learn what you need to know. For details on how to apply and request an I-20, contact the Office of International Student Services at oiss@nvcc.edu or 703–323–3423. Upon completion of your studies at NOVA, you may be required to provide an Apostille or an International Authentication to future employers or universities. Course descriptions are required, so it is important that you keep a printout from NOVA’s online Catalog. 

Senior Citizens

The Virginia Senior Citizens Higher Education Act of 1974 allows senior citizens to take classes at no charge on a space-available basis. If you are 60 or older and have been legally domiciled in Virginia for one year prior to enrollment, you may qualify to attend classes at NOVA without paying tuition.

You may take a credit course for free on a space-available basis if your taxable income did not exceed $23,850 in the previous year. Regardless of income, you may take a credit course for free if you audit (do not receive a grade). You may also take a non-credit Workforce Development course for free regardless of income. To enroll in non-credit courses, contact the Workforce Development Office at the campus where the course is being offered. For all courses, you must complete both an application for admission and the Senior Citizen Certification of Eligibility for Free Tuition (Form 105–088). Senior citizens may enroll in NOVA Online courses if there is available space. To audit a NOVA Online course, you must have the instructor’s permission. 

Please note that seniors may register by 11:59 p.m. on the day before the session begins. Tuition-paying students are accommodated in courses before participating senior citizens are enrolled. However, if you have completed 75 percent of your degree requirements, you may enroll at the same time as tuition-paying students.

  • If you apply for free tuition AFTER you register and pay for a class, you are not eligible for a refund for that class.
  • Senior citizens shall still be expected to pay course expenses other than tuition, such as laboratory fees. (Exceptions: fees for applied music courses will be waived.)
  • Audit and non-credit enrollment is limited to three courses in one term.
  • The College reserves the right to cancel any class.
  • For more information, go to Admissions for Seniors.

Visiting College Students

Each year, thousands of students from four-year colleges and universities attend NOVA to take a class that isn’t offered at their own institution, accelerate their studies or make up a difficult class. Visit Admissions for details about how to apply and enroll.

Incoming Transfer Students

NOVA offers associate degrees to students who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university to complete a bachelor’s degree. For more information, visit Transferring and Guaranteed Admissions.

Students with Disabilities

If you require any special services or accommodations, contact the NOVA counselor for students with disabilities at the campus of your choice at least two weeks prior to the beginning of classes. Visit Disability Services for additional details.

Washington, D.C. Residents

The District of Columbia provides resources to NOVA students, including the DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG) and the DC College Access Program (DC-CAP) Last Dollar Awards. For more information, call the District’s Higher Education Financial Services Office at 877-485-6751.

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