Remember, gift cards are for gifts, not for payments.  If someone contacts you and encourages you to pay them with a gift card it is scam.  If you have already paid someone with a gift card you should report it as soon as possible.  For more information, please see the FTC article at https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/10/scammers-demand-gift-cards?utm_source=govdelivery.

Check out this short video to review various resources that are available to NOVA students!

If you have a student loan or would like to learn more about managing your finances, you may want to check out Nelnet’s “Live Life Smart Guide“.  It includes helpful tips to manage your student loans and insight on several topics such as:

• Setting Financial Goals
• Strategies to Save Money
• Credit Card Tips
• Avoiding Identity Theft
• Loan Repayment
• Default Management
• Contacting Your Servicer
• Exit Counseling

Additional information can also be found on NOVA’s Financial Literacy blog at http://blogs.nvcc.edu/financial-literacy/.

The 24 Hour Student Support Center has expanded its services!  In addition to responding to financial aid and student account inquires, the Support Center can now provide assistance with questions related to admission, registration, and records.  By calling 855-323-3199 you can receive 24/7 live assistance from knowledgeable agents on topics such as registration, transcripts, class scheduling, prerequisites, preparatory coursework, the admission application, financial aid and student accounts.  You also have the option to:

• Live Chat
• Create a Case
• Submit Documents Electronically
• Track your Progress
• Search the Self-Help Portal 

When contacting the Support Center you can expect to receive excellent customer service from professional, courteous agents who can answer most of your questions.  Approximately 90% of inquiries are addressed immediately and the rest are responded to within 1-3 business days if additional research or escalation is required.

For more information, please visit https://mysupport.nvcc.edu/ or give us a call at 855-323-3199.  We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Check out the April 2018 Greenback, the latest issue of NOVA’s financial aid newsletter. This issue features information on:

• Second Pell Grants for Summer
• Preparing for Fall 2018
• Viewing Anticipated Aid
• Limits on Subsidized Loans
• $500 CashContest
• Avoiding Scams
• Submitting Documents to the Financial Aid Office
• Reminders About Attending Two Colleges During the Same Year
• Scholarships for Dreamers
• Getting IRS Transcripts Online
• Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Reminders
• Summer 2018 Bookstore Purchase Periods

The Greenback newsletter is designed to provide students and staff members with a concise summary of current financial aid topics.

Check out the information provided below from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) regarding tax benefits for higher education.

The federal government provides a number of tax incentives that can help lower the cost of higher education. These incentives include:

• Tax credits directly reduce the amount of tax you pay.
• Tax deductions reduce the amount of your income that is taxed.

You may qualify for more than one of these incentives, but there are some restrictions. It’s a good idea to calculate your taxes multiple ways to find the maximum benefits available to you. For more information, on any of these benefits, refer to IRS Publication 970 or consult a qualified tax advisor.

• The 1098-T Statement
• The American Opportunity Tax Credit
• The Lifetime Learning Tax Credit
• Claiming Tax Credits
• Tuition and Fees Tax Deduction
• Student Loan Interest Deduction
• Taxes on Student Aid and Loan Forgiveness

Check out these new videos related to the financial aid verification process.  Topics include:

• Does everyone selected for verification have to provide the same information?
• How do I verify financial aid and household information if I filed a tax return?
• How do I verify my tax information if I amended my return?
• How do I verify my tax information if I filed an extension?
• How do I verify my income information if I didn’t file a tax return?

November is National Career Development Month.  NCDM was designed to highlight the importance of life-long career development and the personal empowerment of all people.

Take time to focus on your career development by participating in the Career Development Webinar Series.  Read more about this on NOVA’s ELife blog at https://blogs.nvcc.edu/elife/2017/11/01/happy-national-career-development-month-4/.

You may have heard of companies saying they can help you by reducing or eliminating student loan debt.  These are often scams that may involve companies requesting an illegal advance fee of up to $1,500.  The company then provides very little (if any) assistance.  In fact, these companies do not do anything that you couldn’t do yourself for free by contacting your loan servicer or the U.S. Department of Education.

Fortunately, the FTC is going after these scammers in a new joint effort with state law enforcement agencies called, “Operation Game of Loans”.  You can read more about the operation here, including tips to avoid scams.