APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL AID & VETERAN'S BENEFITS

Financial Aid Web site

NOVA’s financial aid programs can make your college education more affordable than you thought possible. Our need-based programs provide scholarships, grants,
loans, and work-study opportunities that are sponsored by the federal and state governments; NOVA international students are not eligible for need-based financial aid, but may still qualify for non-need-based student loans. If you wish to be considered for financial aid for Spring 2010, you must complete the 2009–2010 FAFSA and submit all documents no later than October 1 in order to receive an offer of financial aid in time to pay your tuition and fees. After this date, awards will continue to be made retroactively and funds will be disbursed after the add/drop period to the student’s mailing address.

If you were a late applicant for financial aid, you must make arrangements to pay your tuition by other means to ensure that your classes are not dropped. To apply for financial aid, download the NOVA spring financial aid application at www.nvcc.edu or contact the Financial Aid Specialist at the Student Services Center on
any NOVA campus. You can access a 2009–2010 FAFSA online at the NOVA financial aid Web site. Your eligibility is based on the information you file with the federal government using the FAFSA. Be sure to enter NOVA’s College School Code: 003727. The FAFSA can be filed online at www.FAFSA.ed.gov. You must meet other federal and state eligibility criteria and must be enrolled in an eligible program of study. While most federal programs require enrollment for at least six (6) semester credits, some funds are available to students enrolled for fewer semester credits. Applicant materials can be mailed to NOVA, College Financial Aid Office, Annandale, VA 22003–3796.

NOVA’s Student Financial Aid Services brochure provides a comprehensive description of the programs and application procedures for student aid. Copies are
available at www.nvcc.edu, from all campus Financial Aid Specialists, Student Services Centers, or the College Financial Aid Office. Important Points to Remember: If you do not attend at least one class meeting or participate in a distance learning class by and beyond the Last Day to Drop with a Tuition Refund (also known as the Census Date), your class registration will be administratively deleted.

This means:

• there will be no record of the class or any letter grade on your transcript;
• the course credits will be deducted from your course load;
• a reduction in credits may affect your student status– full-time or part-time;
• you will not receive a tuition refund; and
• your financial aid must be recalculated based on your revised enrollment status. Your financial aid award will likely change.

For financial aid purposes, dropping a class prior to the class start date or failing to begin a registered class at any point in the semester means that class cannot be
counted toward your total hours and financial aid status. If you have already received more funds than can be justified based on a revised status, you will be required to repay the overpayment. You will not be eligible to re-enroll until the debt has been repaid.

Veterans’ Benefits
If you are applying for or are receiving educational benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs, you must contact a campus veterans’ advisor each semester
to complete the necessary forms to establish and maintain your eligibility for benefits. Any changes must also be reported promptly to the veterans’ advisor. See
NOVA’s Catalog or go to www.nvcc.edu/current-students/veterans-affairs/index.html for more details. The Virginia Military Survivors and Dependent Education
Program (VMSDEP) provides eligible students enrolled in a Virginia public college or university with certain education benefits in acknowledgement of the military
service of their military parent or spouse. Complete details about eligibility, benefits, and application are posted at www.nvcc.edu/current-students/veterans-affairs/
index.html.

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Substance Abuse Assistance
In accordance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989, NOVA supports efforts to eliminate drug and alcohol abuse through a series of programs and services designed to prevent use of substances that are illegal and harmful, and to assist individuals who suffer from substance abuse. The illegal possession, use, or distribution of controlled substances may result in the College taking disciplinary action as stated in the Student Handbook. If you or someone you know needs help, contact the Counseling Center at any campus for information about referral to community agencies.