Students with financial aid awards for summer 2017 can purchase books against their excess financial aid–either online or in campus bookstores—from May 8, 2017 through June 1, 2017.

Students wishing to purchase books on-line must complete and sign the Bookstore Authorization E-Form, via the Financial Aid Dashboard, prior to completing a purchase. Students enrolled or planning to enroll in later starting classes who desire to use their financial aid to purchase books must purchase during this purchase periods; no additional accommodations will be made.  The financial aid process must be complete and anticipated aid must be enough to cover tuition, fees and books.  Files can have no negative holds. If you have completed this form previously in the 2016-2017 academic year (fall 16 or spring 17), your form is on file in your account, and you do not need to complete the form.

Book Purchase Period

• First day to purchase books/supplies using financial aid online: May 8, 2017
• Last day to purchase books/supplies using financial aid: June 1, 2017

You may place your on-line order 24 hours after completing the authorization e-form or on the first business day after completing the e-form, if later. Search the  online bookstore for the textbooks and course materials required for your NOVA Online courses.

Questions about your Financial Aid award? Contact them by phone, live chat, or email through the Student Support Center.

The Student Emergency Grant program at Northern Virginia Community College operates to provide one-time financial support to students experiencing an enrollment-threatening financial emergency. Emergency funds are not intended to pay for routine education expenses and are only allocated for sudden, unexpected, or unforeseen occurrences that require immediate attention and would otherwise impact a student’s ability to remain enrolled at NOVA. Funds are not available for tuition, fees, or books. The maximum award is $500 per student.

If a student needs financial assistance paying for tuition or books, your Financial Aid Advisor can provide you with assistance in applying for the NOVA Book and Access Grant and others.

More information is provided for students on NOVA’s website.

Questions about your Financial Aid award? Contact them by phone, live chat, or email through the Student Support Center.

Why Should I Review My Anticipated Financial Aid?

If you are awarded Financial Aid before the semester begins, your award will be based on anticipated full-time enrollment in at least 12 credits. If you choose to enroll in less than 12 credit hours, your Financial Aid award may be adjusted. Please follow the steps below to learn how to view award adjustments based on actual enrollment.

Log in to Your MyNOVA Account to View the Anticipated Financial Aid

Step 1: Log in to NOVA Connect by clicking on MyNOVA on the NOVA home page.

Step 2: Click on VCCS SIS: Student Information System

• Click on Self Service
• Click on Student Center
• Scroll down to the Finances tab and click on Account Inquiry
• Click on VCCS SIS: Student Information System

Step 3: Click the yellow button that reads, “CLICK HERE to see Pending Financial Aid Based on Actual Enrollment”

Questions about your Financial Aid award? Contact them by phone, live chat, or email through the Student Support Center.

How Do I Apply for Financial Aid?

To apply for financial aid, you will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To complete your FAFSA, go to www.fafsa.ed.gov. The FAFSA is free and you should never pay to complete the FAFSA! NOVA’s Federal Financial Aid School Code is 003727.

What Documents Do I Need to Complete The FAFSA?

There are several items you will need to complete the FAFSA. The 2017-2018 FAFSA covers Fall 2017, Spring 2018 and Summer 2018. For 2017-2018, you will need financial information from 2015. All students will need the following information to complete the FAFSA application:

• Your social security number
• Your driver’s license, if applicable
• Your 2015 federal income tax return
• Internal Revenue Service (IRS) form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ
• Foreign tax return, or tax return for Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, Marshall Islands, Federal States of Micronesia or Palau
• Your 2015 W-2 forms and other records of money earned in 2015, if any income was earned
• Your 2015 untaxed income records, if applicable (i.e. child support received, interest income, veterans’ benefits, etc.)
• Your current bank statements
• Your current business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records as well as stocks, bonds and other investment records, if applicable
• Your alien registration or permanent registration card, if applicable (if you are not a U.S. citizen)

If you are a dependent student, your parents will need to provide the following information:

Note: A dependent student is a student who does not meet any of the criteria for an independent student. An independent student is one of the following: at least 24 years old, married, a graduate or professional student, a veteran, a member of the armed forces, an orphan, a ward of the court, someone with legal dependents other than a spouse, an emancipated minor or someone who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

• Parent(s) 2015 federal income tax return and W-2s
• Parent(s) bank statements and current records for all non-retirement investment and asset accounts
• Parent(s) social security number, date of birth (day, month and year)
• Date your parents were married, widowed, divorced or separated
• If you are married, you will also need to provide the 2015 federal income tax return information for your spouse.

How Do I Sign The FAFSA?

To sign your FAFSA online you must apply for an FSA ID. If you are dependent student, you and your parent must apply for an FSA ID. An FSA ID serves as your electronic signature and provides access to your personal records. Never give your FSA ID to anyone, including commercial services that offer to help you complete your FAFSA.

Where Do I Get A FSA ID?

Visit https://fsaid.ed.gov to apply for an FSA ID. You will need your social security number and birthdate to complete this process. If you are dependent student, one of your parents will also need to create an FSA ID to sign your FAFSA.

Questions about your Financial Aid award? Financial Aid assistance is available by creating a case at https://mysupport.nvcc.edu or uploading documents that are accepted electronically through the To Do List. You may also fax documents to (703) 323-3494.

Starting with the 2017­–18 application cycle, the following changes will be put in place:

• SUBMIT A FAFSA EARLIER: Students will be able to file a 2017–18 FAFSA as early as Oct. 1, 2016, rather than beginning on Jan. 1, 2017. The earlier submission date will be a permanent change, enabling students to complete and submit a FAFSA as early as October 1 every year. (There is NO CHANGE to the 2016–17 schedule. The FAFSA became available January 1 as in previous years.)
• USE EARLIER INCOME AND TAX INFORMATION: Beginning with the 2017–18 FAFSA, students will be required to report income information from an earlier tax year.

Follow the Financial Aid blog for more information and continued updates and announcements.

The following table provides a summary of key dates as we transition to using the early FAFSA submission time frame and earlier tax information. (Click on photo to enlarge)

Review this site for more information and read these tips to help you submit your FAFSA. Follow FAFSA on twitter for updates, announcements, reminders, and tips as you complete your FAFSA for the 2017-18 academic year.

Questions about Financial Aid? Contact them by phone, live chat, or email through the Student Support Center.

Are you currently in or interested in pursuing the CyberSecurity program at NOVA. The scholarship mentioned below was posted by SCHEV.

“The purpose of the Cybersecurity Public Service Scholarship Program is to support students who are pursuing an education in programs specifically designed for careers in cybersecurity defense. Students who receive the scholarships — up to $20,000 a year for two years — must commit to work for the Commonwealth of Virginia for one year for each year they receive a scholarship.”

Applications for the 2016-17 academic year will be accepted until September 15, 2016.

Other scholarship opportunities can be found here.

Questions about Financial Aid? Contact them by phone, live chat, or email through the Student Support Center.

Varsity Tutors is a live learning platform for private tutors and students. Students from elementary to graduate school to adult learners can connect with a professional tutor who is able to address their unique needs.Tutors are independent contractors with their own unique teaching style, methods and materials.

Varsity Tutors holds a monthly $1,000 college scholarship contest where students must write an essay in response to a monthly prompt.

Visitors to the Varsity Tutors scholarship webpage are able to vote via social media for submitted entries. The top five entries with the most votes are reviewed by Varsity Tutors at the end of the month and one winner is subsequently chosen to receive the $1,000 college scholarship.

Interested students can enter the contest here: http://www.varsitytutors.com/college-scholarship

Other scholarship opportunities can be found here.