Northern Virginia Community College
Northern Virginia Community College

NOVACard Mobile

NOVACard Mobile is a digital alternative to your physical NOVACard. Available through the Atrium Campus Connect app, NOVACard mobile lets you check your balance, add funds, and access daily campus services without needing a physical card. It's a simple, secure and convenient way to manage your NOVACard and make everyday tasks on campus a little easier.

Choose the NOVACard that works for you 

NOVA students, faculty and staff can choose either a digital NOVACard or a physical NOVACard — you cannot have both at the same time.

Switching from a physical card to a digital card is free. If you later choose to switch from digital back to a physical card, a $10 processing fee applies. 

Benefits of NOVACard Mobile

Enhance Security

If your device is stolen, integrated biometrics on your device prevent anyone else from accessing your personal data.

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Easy to Access

Make purchases or access buildings by scanning your device at a reader.

How to Use

Reduce Plastic Waste

Support our sustainability effort and reduce  plastic waste on campus. Plus, no more hassle of looking for your physical NOVAcard.

Choose Your NOVACard

You can use one NOVACard at a time: choose a digital NOVACard on your mobile device or a physical NOVACard. You cannot have both.

Get Your Digital NOVACard

Skip the trip to the campus office! Download the Atrium Campus Connect app to easily set up your digital ID right from your phone.

Switching Fees

  • Physical to Digital: Free
  • Digital back to Physical: $10 processing fee

Activate Your NOVACard Mobile

How to

Step 1: Download the Atrium Connect app from the app store
Step 2: Upload your photo through Atrium Connect for approval
Step 3: Provision your mobile credential
Step 4: Allow up to 15 mintues for NOVACard Activation to Complete

IMPORTANT: Activating your digital NOVACard will automatically deactivate your existing physical NOVACard. You cannot use both cards at the same time. If you later switch from a digital NOVACard back to a physical card, a $10 processing fee applies.

Mobile Requirements

Hardware Requirements: iPhone: iPhone SE, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, or later running the latest version of iOS 16 or above

Apple Watch: Apple Watch Series 1 or later running the latest version of watchOS

Android: Version 6.0 or later

All devices must have a built-in NFC connection. Before you proceed, check your device’s NFC location

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The NFC (near field communication) antenna must directly face the reader to activate NOVACard Mobile on your devices successfully. The NFC antenna location varies by device manufacturer and model.

Detailed profile information can be found through the Atrium Campus Connect app. Information includes: Legal name, Chosen name, EMPLID.

Email or call NOVACard office to disable access.

After retrieving your device, contact NOVACard office to reactivate it.

Contact the NOVACard Office at 703.764.7759 or asknovacard@nvcc.edu. If after business hours, leave a voicemail clearly stating your name, EMPLID, and contact information.

iPhones XS and later: Express Mode with power reserve is available for up to five hours after the device’s battery needs to be charged. You can press the side button to check if Express Mode is available when your iPhone needs to be charged. Doing this often may significantly reduce the power reserve for Express Mode. If you choose to power off your iPhone, this feature will not be available.

Android, iPhone 6/6 Plus to iPhone X: Your device must have battery power to use NOVACard Mobile.

NOVACard mobile can be used even if your phone does not have network connectivity, as it’s stored on your device. However, a network connection is required to open the Atrium Campus Connect app.

Once you switch to NOVACard Mobile, your plastic NOVA ID will be immediately deactivated and can no longer used at any card readers on and off campus for security purposes. You may save it as a keepsake or recycle it.

No, you may only have either a digital NOVACard or a Physical card active at any given time. Switching to one will deactivate the other.