Category Archives: General Information

General Information about financial aid at NOVA.

General Information, Greenback Newsletter

Designated State Agency-based voter registration sites

 

 

VA_SEAL

COMMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA

Department of Elections

Edgardo Cortés

Commissioner

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

TO:                 Designated State Agency-based voter registration sites

 

FROM:           Garry E. Ellis

                            NVRA/Voter Registration Coordinator

 

DATE:           October 3, 2014

 

RE:                 VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR THE November 4th General Election

                       

Mark your calendars: The last day to register to vote for the November 4, 2014, General Election is Tuesday October 14, 2014. All applications completed from October 6th thru October 14th must be transmitted by your agency daily to Department of Elections or local general registrar’s office. Daily transmission of completed applications will assure your client’s application is processed in time to be entered on the automated system and appear on the Virginia List of Registered Voters for the upcoming election.

 

Please remember it is important throughout the year to process all voter registration applications within 5 days from receipt.

 

Please forward this message to your sites. Thank you for your continuing effort and cooperation.

 

 

General Information, Greenback Newsletter, Loan Information

Time Limitation on Direct Subsidized Loan Eligibility for First-Time Borrowers on or after July 1, 2013

Maximum eligibility period to receive Direct Subsidized Loans

(This article was originally published on StudentLoans.gov as part of Direct Loan Entrance counseling.)

There is a limit on the maximum period of time (measured in academic years) that you can receive Direct Subsidized Loans. In general, you may not receive Direct Subsidized Loans for more than 150% of the published length of your program. This is called your “maximum eligibility period”. You can usually find the published length of any program of study in your school’s catalog.

For example, if you are enrolled in a 4-year bachelor’s degree program, the maximum period for which you can receive Direct Subsidized Loans is 6 years (150% of 4 years = 6 years). If you are enrolled in a 2-year associate degree program, the maximum period for which you can receive Direct Subsidized Loans is 3 years (150% of 2 years = 3 years).

Your maximum eligibility period is based on the published length of your current program. This means that your maximum eligibility period can change if you change programs. Also, if you receive Direct Subsidized Loans for one program and then change to another program, the Direct Subsidized Loans you received for the earlier program will generally count against your new maximum eligibility period.

Example 1: You are enrolled in a two-year undergraduate program. You then enroll in a four-year undergraduate program. When you change programs, your maximum eligibility changes from three years to six years.

You received Direct Subsidized Loans for only one year while enrolled in the two-year program. When you enroll in the four-year program, you are eligible to receive five more years of Direct Subsidized Loans.

Example 2: You are enrolled in a four- year undergraduate program. You then enroll in a two-year undergraduate program. When you change programs, your maximum eligibility changes from six years to three years.

You received Direct Subsidized Loans for two years while enrolled in the four- year program. When you enroll in the two-year program, you are eligible to receive one more year of Direct Subsidized Loans.

Example 3: You are enrolled in a four-year undergraduate program. You then enroll in a different four- year undergraduate program. Because both programs are the same length, your maximum eligibility does not change when you change programs-it remains six years.

You received Direct Subsidized Loans for three years while enrolled in the first four- year programs. When you enroll in the second four- year program, you are still eligible to receive three more ears of Direct Subsidized Loans.

Periods that count against your maximum eligibility period

The periods of time that count against your maximum eligibility period are periods of enrollment (also known as “loan periods”) for which you received Direct Subsidized Loans.

For example, if you are a full-time student and you receive a Direct Subsidized Loan that covers the fall and spring semesters (a full academic year), this will count as one year against your maximum eligibility period.

If you receive a Direct Subsidized Loan for a period of enrollment that is shorter than a full academic year, the period that counts against your maximum usage period will generally be reduced accordingly.

For example, if you are a full-time student and you receive a Direct Subsidized Loan that covers the fall semester but not the spring semester, this will count as one-half of a year against your maximum eligibility period.

With one exception, the amount of a Direct Subsidized Loan you receive for a period of enrollment does not affect how much of your maximum eligibility period you have used. That is, even if you receive a Direct Subsidized Loan in an amount that is less than the full annual loan limit, that lesser amount does not reduce the amount of your maximum eligibility period you have used. The one exception applies if you receive the full annual loan limit for a loan period that does not cover the whole academic year.

For example, if you receive a Direct Subsidized Loan that covers only the fall semester and not the spring semester, and the loan amount you receive is equal to the full annual loan limit for your grade level, this counts as one full year against your maximum eligibility period.

Effect of borrowing while enrolled part-time

If you receive a Direct Subsidized Loan when you are enrolled less than full-time, the period that is counted against your maximum eligibility period will be reduced.

For example, if you are enrolled half-time and receive a Direct Subsidized Loan for a period of enrollment that covers a full academic year, this will count as only one-half of a year against your maximum eligibility period.

Loss of eligibility for additional Direct Subsidized Loans and becoming responsible for paying interest on Direct Subsidized Loans

After you have received Direct Subsidized Loans for your maximum eligibility period, you are no longer eligible to receive additional Direct Subsidized Loans. However, you may continue to receive Direct Unsubsidized Loans.

In addition, if you continue to be enrolled in any undergraduate program after you have received Direct Subsidized Loans for your maximum eligibility period, we will no longer (with certain exceptions) pay the interest that accrues on your Direct Subsidized Loans for periods when we would normally have done so. After you lose eligibility, whether you become responsible for the interest that accrues on your Direct Subsidized Loan depends only on your enrollment, not applying for, requesting, or receiving federal financial aid.

Remember, your maximum eligibility period can change if you enroll in a different program. So, if you received Direct Subsidized Loans for your maximum eligibility period for one program and then enroll in a longer program, you will not become responsible for interest that accrues on your Direct Subsidized Loans.

Direct_Subsidized_Loans_and_ Direct_Subsidized_Loans_Charts

(This chart was originally published on StudentLoans.gov as part of Direct Loan Entrance counseling.)

The above chart summarizes the periods when we normally pay the interest on your Direct Subsidized Loans, and an explanation of what happens after you become responsible for the interest.

If you meet any of the “yes” conditions indicated on the chart, you will become responsible for the interest that accrues on your Direct Subsidized Loans on and after the date of your enrollment, during periods when we would have normally paid the interest for you.

Example: If you are enrolled in a four- year undergraduate program and receive Direct Subsidized Loans for six years, you are no longer eligible to receive Direct Subsidized Loans.

Whether you become responsible for interest on your Direct Subsided Loans depends on what you do next:

1. If you complete the program in 6 years and do not enroll for a 7th year, the Federal government will continue to pay the interest that accrues on your Direct Subsidized Loans as described in the chart below. Even if you eventually enroll in another program, because you completed the program before enrolling for a 7th year, the Federal government will continue to pay your interest as described in the chart below.

2. If you continue to be enrolled in the program for a 7th year, then on the date you enroll for the 7th year you will become responsible for paying all interest that accrues on your Direct Subsidized Loans from that point forward.

3. If you do not complete the program, but transfer to another undergraduate program that is four year or less (that has a maximum eligibility period of 6 years or less), then you will become responsible for interest, starting with the interest that accrues on the date that you enroll in the other program.

Regaining eligibility for Direct Subsidized Loans

If you become ineligible for Direct Subsidized Loans because you have received Direct Subsidized Loans for your maximum eligibility period, you may again become eligible to receive Direct Subsidized Loans if you enroll in a new program that is longer than your previous program.

If you regain eligibility to receive additional Direct Subsidized Loans because you enrolled in a program that is longer than your prior program and you previously became responsible for paying all of the interest that accrues on your Direct Subsidized Loans, we will pay the interest that accrues on your new loans during the periods described in the chart above. However, you will continue to be responsible for paying all of the interest that accrues on the previous Direct Subsidized Loans that you received.

FAFSA Process, General Information, Loan Information

Navigate the 150% Loan Limit Rule with these Five Key Take-A-Ways

NOVA financial aid understands that policy changes such as the 150% time limit rule regarding federal Direct Subsidized loans can be confusing for students and can cause additional counseling inquiries and work for your financial aid office. We’re here to help with key policy take-aways and resources.
As of July 1st, 2013, any first-time borrower, (which is defined as someone who has no outstanding balance on any FFELP or Direct loan when receiving a Direct loan on or after July 1, 2013), will only be able to obtain federal Direct Subsidized loans for a maximum of 150% of the published program length in which they are enrolled. Additionally, under some circumstances, the subsidized loans that had been borrowed up to the 150% point will lose further government subsidy, meaning interest will begin to become the student’s responsibility if the student does not graduate by the 150% point (and continues to be enrolled in the same or a shorter undergraduate program). From that point forward, these subsidized loans will become unsubsidized loans.
Here are five key take-aways to keep in mind regarding the 150% Rule:
Students may receive Direct Subsidized loans for no more than 150% of the length of the current academic program. For example, a student enrolled in a two-year program will have three years’ worth of subsidized loan eligibility, and a student enrolled in a four-year program will have six years’ worth of subsidized loan eligibility.
Once a student reaches the 150% mark in a particular program, future subsidized loan eligibility in that program will end. The student may, however, be eligible for unsubsidized loans.
A student who reaches the 150% limitation will have the interest subsidy end for all outstanding subsidized loans if the student does not graduate and continues to be enrolled in the same or a shorter undergraduate program. Repayment does not begin, but like unsubsidized loans, the student (rather than the government) would become responsible for interest that accrues from this point forward.
Unlike other measures in determining continued aid eligibility, this provision is not affected by the total dollar amount borrowed. Any and all periods of subsidized loan borrowing will count against the 150% time limit, in most instances, prorated for less than full-time enrollment.
This policy is in addition to, and not in place of, the lifetime aggregate loan limits that are currently in place.

General Information

Financial Aid Transitions to E-Forms

Starting with the 2014-2015 financial aid award year, NOVA Financial Aid will begin its transition to the use of online forms (E-Forms). These forms will be available via the NOVA Financial Aid Dashboard website and will be directly linked to a student’s MyNOVA “To Do List’ login and electronic signatures will be used. The addition of E-Forms will greatly increase the financial aid office’s ability to process FAFSA applications.
Online forms will be presented to students via the Financial Aid Dashboard which will be accessed via the NOVA website and a secure login. Once students have logged into the dashboard, they will access their required documents – “To Do List” – as seen in MyNova; forms will be directly linked to E-Form versions, and students will then have the option to complete and submit them via the dashboard. For those forms that are not in the E-form format, students will access the College Forms Library for normal download, completion, and submission.
The most noticeable change will be to the financial aid forms page. This page will now serve as the entry page to the Financial Aid Dashboard, where students can log in and view, complete, and submit requested financial aid forms. In addition, this page will also host video tutorials on how to access and use this system.
Please continue to check the financial aid page of the NOVA website and your NOVA e-mail for updates as this process moves forward. While this change may be a bit unsettling in the beginning, bear in mind that this will greatly improve the financial aid application process and reduce the time it takes for students to view and accept their financial aid awards.

General Information, Greenback Newsletter

Financial Aid Transitions to E-Forms

Starting with the 2014-2015 financial aid award year, NOVA Financial Aid will begin its transition to the use of online forms (E-Forms). These forms will be available via the NOVA Financial Aid Dashboard website and will be directly linked to a student’s MyNOVA “To Do List’ log-in and electronic signatures will be used. The addition of E-Forms will greatly increase the financial aid office’s ability to process FAFSA applications.
Online forms will be presented to students via the Financial Aid Dashboard which will be accessed via the NOVA website and a secure log-in. Once students have logged into the dashboard, they will access their required documents – “To Do List” – as seen in MyNova; forms will be directly linked to E-Form versions, and students will then have the option to complete and submit them via the dashboard. For those forms that are not in the E-form format, students will access the College Forms Library for normal download, completion, and submission.
The most noticeable change will be to the financial aid forms page. This page will now serve as the entry page to the Financial Aid Dashboard, where students can log in and view, complete, and submit requested financial aid forms. In addition, this page will also host video tutorials on how to access and use this system.
Please continue to check the financial aid page of the NOVA website and your NOVA e-mail for updates as this process moves forward. While this change may be a bit unsettling in the beginning, bear in mind that this will greatly improve the financial aid application process and reduce the time it takes for students to view and accept their financial aid awards.

FAFSA Process, General Information

The Financial Aid Shopping Sheet

How does this work? The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) and NOVA Financial Aid have teamed up to roll out the Financial Aid Shopping Sheet for the 2013-2014 award year. The Financial Aid Shopping Sheet (PDF) is a consumer tool developed collaboratively by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Department of Education. The standardized form is designed to simplify the information that prospective students receive about college costs and their financial aid awards so they can easily compare award packages and costs to make informed decisions about where to attend school.

The Shopping Sheet pulls together essential information for the potential student. This includes the specific cost of attendance, a summary of awarded aid, and the FAFSA calculated Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Additionally, the Shopping Sheet includes loan repayment information, institutional loan default rates, and graduation rates. Putting this information in a standardized format will enable students and their families to make the most informed decision about college attendance.

To view your Shopping Sheet, log in to your My NOVA account >VCCS SIS: Student Information Center >Self Service >Student Center; scroll down to Finances >View Financial Aid >financial aid year (2014). Select NOVA Shopping Sheet.

Financial Aid Support Center, General Information

The Financial Aid Support Center

Help Us Help You. The Financial Aid Support Center has been in service for the past ten months and, as of the date of this article, has answered more than 46,000 inquiries. While this is wonderful news, NOVA financial aid is serious about helping students; and to that end, we need your help. The Financial Aid Support Center needs your feedback; tell us how we are helping you as you complete the financial aid process.

You can provide feedback on your support center experience three different ways; the first is via the web-based survey on the support center portal. This seven-question survey allows you, the user, to evaluate the support portal, the embedded knowledge base, the NOVA financial aid staff, and allows you to write in your own comments. This survey has provided some vital information thus far and, with your help, will be an even more effective tool.

The second is via a brief phone survey at the conclusion of your call to the support center. This will allow you to rate the service you received during your call on a scale of one to ten, with ten being the most positive score. This provides us with quick and instant feedback on your phone call experience. The support portal is currently getting about a 40 percent response rate via this feedback tool, and it is our goal to get that response rate to above 60 percent.

The final method for feedback is via an embedded survey in your support center e-mail that summarizes the nature of and response to your ticket. This short survey allows the support center staff to gain valuable insight on your financial aid needs and expectations. An example: via this survey, we have found that 75 percent of respondents have indicated that e-mail is their preferred method of communication. Therefore, the financial aid department is taking steps to increase our effectiveness in reaching students via e-mail.

Customer service is a very serious matter at Northern Virginia Community College. Your feedback is essential to improving the financial aid application experience. The Financial Aid Support Center is your first line of engagement in addressing financial aid concerns; and it is important that we all work together to continue to improve this service.

General Information

About Us

Our scholarships, grants, loans and work-study opportunities can make your college education more affordable than you ever thought possible. Need-based financial aid is not available to international students, although many students can qualify for loans without demonstrating need. Apply today by filling out the Free Application for Financial Aid (FAFSA) at FAFSA on the web.

General Information

Our Mission

NOVA Financial Aid facilitates access to education for NOVA students by providing assistance in all areas of the financial aid process for the purpose of supporting student enrollment, retention and program completion at Northern Virginia Community College.