Tag Archives: Financial Aid

What Do I Need to Complete the FAFSA

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There are several items you will need to complete the FAFSA. The 2018-2019 FAFSA covers Fall 2018, Spring 2019 and Summer 2019. For 2018-2019, you will need financial information from 2016. All students will need the following information to complete the FAFSA application:

  • Your social security number
  • Your name and date of birth must match your records with the Social Security Administration
  • Your 2016 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 2016 W-2 forms and other records of money earned in 2016, if any income was earned
  • Your 2016 untaxed income records, if applicable (i.e. child support received, interest income, veterans’ benefits, etc.)
  • Your current bank statements
  • Your current assets held outside of retirement accounts
  • Your alien registration or permanent registration card, if applicable (if you are not a U.S. citizen)

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

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, someone with a court appointed legal guardian, or someone who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. 

  •  Parent(s) 2016 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 2016 federal income tax return information for your spouse.

Federal Student Aid Information Center

8:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Monday – Friday (EST) and 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saturday – Sunday (EST)

Phone: 1-800-433-3243 | International: 1-334-523-2691 | Hearing Impaired: TTY calls only 1-800-730-8913

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.   Questions about financial aid eligibility? Check out the Financial Aid Blog.

Apply for Financial Aid in Three Easy Steps

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STEP ONE:  Create a Federal Student Aid ID or
FSA ID by visiting https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm. If you are under the age of 24 and considered a dependent student, your parent must also create a FSA ID using a separate email address. This FSA ID will be used every year to complete and sign your FAFSA application for NOVA or any other college.

*Keep this login safe and secure.

STEP TWO:  Complete the FAFSA application by choosing “Start A New FAFSA” at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Northern Virginia Community College’s School Code is 003727. Allow 3-5 business days for your FAFSA application to be sent to NOVA.

*Returning students can renew their FAFSA application by choosing the “Login” option.

STEP THREE:  Once your FAFSA application has been received by NOVA, check your “To Do List” in your Student Center by logging into myNOVA at www.nvcc.edu for any additional documents or verification required by NOVA. Awards are usually posted 2 weeks after all documents have been received and the verification process has been completed (if required).

*You will receive an email to your NOVA email account 3-5 business days after submitting your FAFSA.

  • Navigating to the “To Do List”: NOVA’s Website > myNOVA > VCCS SIS > Student Center > To Do List.
  • NOVA’s Financial Aid Support Center Contact Number (Open 24/7): 1-855-323-3199.
  • FAS Online Verification (School Servicing Center) Contact Number: 1-855-328-4400.
  • The FAS Online Verification can be completed at sscwp.org by signing in under “Students”.

Federal Student Aid Information Center

8:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Monday – Friday (EST) and 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saturday – Sunday (EST)

Phone: 1-800-433-3243 | International: 1-334-523-2691 | Hearing Impaired: TTY calls only 1-800-730-8913

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

 

FAFSA Reminders

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Now is the time to apply for Financial Aid 2018-2019!If you have not already done so, complete the 2018-2019 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) now!

Start your fall financial aid application now for priority award consideration. Priority consideration deadline is March 1.

Follow these steps to apply:

Get an FSAID.

Before beginning the FAFSA process, you (and one parent, if parental information is required on the FAFSA) should apply for an FSAID at www.fsaid.ed.gov.  Returning students can use their existing FSAID’s.

Complete Your Application.

Go to www.fafsa.gov to complete your FAFSA on line.

Enter NOVA’s School Code.

When completing the FAFSA form, you will be asked to supply the school code(s) of the school(s) that you want to receive your results.  NOVA’S SCHOOL CODE IS 003727.

 Submit the FAFSA.

Make sure to click the “Submit” button, or your FAFSA will not be processed.

Regularly check the status of your application on MyNOVA and respond.

*Go to www.nvcc.edu/novaconnect.

*Click on Self Service, then Student Center.

*Review your To-Do list items.

*Respond promptly. Provide all items on your To-Do list to your Campus Financial Aid Office.

Fall 2017: purchase books/supplies using financial aid

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Students with financial aid awards for fall 2017 can purchase books against their excess financial aid–either online or in campus bookstores—from August 7, 2017 through September 7, 2017, the 16-week (term) census date.  A second book purchase period will be open for students who still have anticipated aid from two weeks before the second 8-week term through that term census date, October 4, 2017 through October 24, 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. E-forms must be submitted each academic year.

First Book Purchase Period

  • First day to purchase books/supplies using financial aid: August 7, 2017
  • Last day to purchase books/supplies using financial aid: September 7, 2017

Second Book Purchase Period (for students with remaining anticipated aid)

  • First day to purchase books/supplies using financial aid: October 4, 2017
  • Last day to purchase books/supplies using financial aid: October 24, 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.

FA Support Center

 

This week at NOVA Online!

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FALL Tuition Payment: If you registered for fall 2017 courses and haven’t submitted your tuition payment or have financial aid in place, you must do so  by Monday, July 24 at 5 p.m. to avoid being dropped from your courses! Check out NOVA’s website for more for more details about tuition payment methods and deadlines.

Of course, there’s still plenty of time to register for fall if you haven’t done so already! NOVA Online’s first fall session begins Monday, August 21. NOVA Online has additional fall start dates later in the semester. Check the full list of fall 2017 courses.

NOVA offers a payment plan for students enrolled in courses. Please note the last day to sign up for the payment plan is August 24.

Just remember, if you register for fall courses on or after Monday, July 24, your payment is due by 5 p.m. the next business day.

Proctored Exams: All NOVA Online courses require proctored exams! Plan ahead so you are prepared as your exams quickly approach. Review the testing information website to make arrangements. This previous blog post will also help as you prepare whether you are taking exams at NOVA, through ProctorU, or with a testing location in your area. Questions? Reach out to NOVA OnlineCourseSpecialists@nvcc.edu or 703.323.3347. Join our Virtual Student Union: NOVA Online’s VSU has a new look! Are you taking online classes and looking to connect with other students outside of a classroom setting? Check out our Virtual Student Union or VSU. This is an engagement hub where NOVA Online students have access to create a profile, join discussion forums and connect with other students. In celebration of our new site launch, students will be eligible for raffle prizes once they create an account and interact on the site. Drawings will be done weekly and monthly through the fall semester. Join now!

Engage in your Community! Did you miss our Community Involvement Fair? Check out our community volunteer booklet to learn more about the variety of non-profits participating and volunteer opportunities available: Community Volunteer Booklet. Email us at elistulife@nvcc.edu and tell us where and when you are volunteering and we will send you a FREE NOVA Student Life T-shirt to wear!

Want to write for the NOVA Online Student Blog? Share your story? Connect with your peers? Send us a writing sample to get started. Email NOVA OnlineStuLife@nvcc.edu for more information.

Tips to help you get started!

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Below are some tips to help you get started in your NOVA Online classes this summer!

You will have access to your course the first day the class is scheduled to begin or sometimes a few days in advance. If your course is scheduled to begin later in the summer, check back closer to that date. 484765389Be sure to check your Blackboard course site regularly throughout the summer to make sure you don’t miss any course specific deadlines. Check each folder and read announcements from your instructors.

It is important to be aware of Critical Course Deadlines for your courses. In addition, you also want to be aware of course specific deadlines. Get started immediately so you don’t miss any deadlines.

NOVA Online Student Life offers various in-person and virtual events throughout the semester to help connect you to peers, faculty and staff. Join us!

Take advantage of NOVA’s Library Services from your home computer. You can access resources and references from the Library database with your VCCS username and password.

Do you have any general NOVA Online questions? Live Chat (bottom right)  or NOVA Online Hotline – 703.323.3347 is a great option to ask general questions, but remember your instructors are available if you have course specific questions.

Proctor U is an online proctoring service available for some NOVA Online courses. This service is available for some NOVA Online courses and gives you the opportunity to take your exams from your home computer using a web cam, microphone and speakers.

Try using Smarthinking for 24/7 online tutoring.

Checking your Student E-Mail Account is important throughout the semester. You will get updates and announcements from your instructor as well as from NOVA Online. Get in the habit of checking this e-mail.

24/7 Tech Support is available from NOVA by calling 703.764.5051.

NOVA Online offers several webinars throughout the semester to help you succeed. Check out live sessions or request a copy of a recording.

Financial Aid assistance is available 24/7 by calling 1-855-323-3199, by email – FinAidSupport@nvcc.edu or through live chat at the Student Support Center. Questions about financial aid eligibility? Check out the Financial Aid Blog.

Not your first NOVA Online course? What tips would you share with a new student?

Creating and Using the FSA ID

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What’s an FSA ID? 

The FSA ID is a username and password you use to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education websites, including fafsa.gov, StudentAid.gov, and StudentLoans.gov. The FSA ID is your legal signature and shouldn’t be created or used by anyone other than you—not even your parent, your child, a school official, or a loan company representative. You’ll use your FSA ID every year you fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form and for the lifetime of your federal student loans.

How do I get an FSA ID? 

Visit StudentAid.gov/fsaid to create an FSA ID. You’ll need your Social Security number, full name, and date of birth. You’ll also need to create a memorable username and password, and provide answers to some challenge questions so you can retrieve your account information if you forget it.

We strongly recommend that you provide a mobile phone number and email address when you make your FSA ID. Providing a mobile phone number and/or email address that you have access to will make it easier to unlock your account, retrieve your forgotten username, or reset your forgotten password.

Important: An email address and mobile phone number cannot be used with more than one FSA ID. If you share an email address with someone else, then only one of you will be able to use that email address to create an FSA ID. This applies to your mobile phone number too.

FSA ID Tips 

 One of your parents might need an FSA ID as well. If you need to provide information about your parents on the FAFSA® form, one of your parents will have to sign the form. Your parent can create an FSA ID and then sign the FAFSA form electronically using that FSA ID. Not sure whether you’ll need to put your parents’ information on the FAFSA form? Check out StudentAid.gov/dependency. Remember: You should create your own FSA ID and your parent should create his or her own FSA ID. Also, make sure to use the correct FSA ID when signing the FAFSA form electronically.

 When you first create your FSA ID, all you’ll be able to use your FSA ID for is to complete, sign, and submit an original (first-time) FAFSA form. You’ll have to wait one to three days for your information to be confirmed by the Social Security Administration (SSA) before you can use your FSA ID for other actions, such as submitting a Renewal FAFSA form or signing a Master Promissory Note. If you provided an email address, then you’ll receive an email letting you know that your information was successfully matched with the SSA and you can use your FSA ID for all of its purposes.

 If you forget your FSA ID username and password, look for links, such as “Forgot My Username” and “Forgot My Password,” at the log-in pages of our websites. These links will direct you to web pages where you can request a secure code to be texted to your verified mobile phone number or emailed to your verified email address. The secure code will allow you to retrieve your username or reset your password. You can also retrieve your username or reset your password by successfully answering your challenge questions.

Learn more about the FSA ID at StudentAid.gov/fsaid. Find this fact sheet at StudentAid.gov/resources.

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.

 

Summer 2017: purchase books/supplies using financial aid

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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.

FA Support Center

 

Summer Tuition Payment

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Heads up! If you registered for summer 2017 courses and haven’t submitted your tuition payment or have financial aid in place, you must do so by Monday, April 24 at 5 p.m. to avoid being dropped from your courses! If you have questions about payment, visit NOVA’s summer 2017 payment information here. You can also call the NOVA Online Hotline at 703-323-3347 for assistance.Of course, there’s still plenty of time to register for summer if you haven’t done so already! NOVA Online’s first summer session starts Tuesday, May 16 with additional start dates on Monday, May 22 and Monday, June 5. Check the full list of summer 2017 courses.

NOVA offers a payment plan for students enrolled in courses. Please note the last day to sign up for the payment plan is May 22.

Just remember, if you register for summer courses on or after Monday, April 24, your payment is due by 5 p.m. the next business day.

Student Emergency Grant

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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.

FA Support Center