ACE Credentials - IT EXAM Voucher Program

About the ACE Program

The Achieve Career Excellence (ACE) program is a NOVA initiative designed to help students earn professional credentials so they can work in their desired field while they remain in school. Information and Engineering Technologies (IET) pathway students can receive a free test voucher to take the industry-certification exam after successful course completion.

This initiative is part of the  Taskforce on Higher Education and Opportunity.

This is a merit-based program for students who completed one of the following NOVA IT courses and earned a grade of A or B within the last 2 years.

If You Completed This Course with a Final Grade of A or B You Are Eligible for This Exam - Substitutions are NOT AVAILABLE

ITN 106 and ITN 107

CompTIA A+ Core 1 and Core 2

ITN 101

CompTIA Network+

ITD 145

CompTIA Data+

ITN 170

CompTIA Linux+

ITN 200

CompTIA Server+

ITN 260

CompTIA Security+

ITN 262

CompTIA CySA+

ITN 213

AWS Certified Solutions Architect

ITN 257

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

What are Industry Certification Credentials?

  • Industry Certification Credentials are issued by a certification body such as a trade, industry, or professional association.
  • AWS, and CompTIA are examples of these types of associations.
  • Earning an Industry Certification Credential indicates mastery and or competency in specific knowledge, skills, and abilities accepted as industry standards.
  • Certifications expire and must be renewed.

What is the value of the IT Credentials?

NOVA recognizes the demand for IT industry-recognized certification credentials has  greatly increased over the past decade and that the cost of sitting for required exams can be a barrier for students. Therefore, NOVA has committed funding to purchase select IT industry certification exam vouchers and created a program for eligible students to apply for an exam voucher at no cost to students.

Certification Name Retail Value of Certification Exam Retail Value of Retake Exam Voucher or CertMaster Practice Total Retail Value of Award

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

$100

 $100 $200

AWS Certified Solutions Architect

$150

 $150 $300

CompTIA A+ (Core 1 & Core 2) *

$506

 $274 $780

CompTIA Network+

$369

 $201 $570

CompTIA Security+

$404

 $211 $615

CompTIA Linux+

$369

 $201 $570

CompTIA CySA+

$404

 $211 $615

CompTIA Server+

$369

 $201 $570

CompTIA Data+

$253

 $137 $390

* This certification requires students to pass two separate exams in order to earn the credential.

Program Purpose and Expectations

This program provides select  IT certification exam vouchers at no cost to eligible students. Students are expected to sit for the exam within 30 days of receiving the exam voucher and upload the score report to the ACE Score Reporting File within two days of completing the exam. 

Program Scope

Awards are granted once per semester by invitation from the NOVA Information and Engineering Technologies (IET) department. 

Program Limitations

  • Eligible students may only apply for an exam voucher for ONE (1) IT certification  exam  per semester.
  • Students may not apply for an exam voucher for the  same exam  in a future application period.
  • SUBSTITUTIONS ARE NOT AVAILABLE

ACE Program Overview

  • An invitation to apply will be emailed once per semester to eligible students after grades a posted for all terms from the current semester.
  • The invitation will include an invitation to apply for the CompTIA CertMaster Practice license for students applying for CompTIA exams. The CompTIA CertMaster Practice license is an online knowledge assessment and certification exam practice and preparation companion tool.
  • CompTIA Students must upload a practice exam score report of 85% or higher within 30 days of receiving the license to receive the free voucher.
  • Students must apply by the application deadline and complete the practice exam within the 30-day deadline. No late application or score reports will be accepted.
  • The CertMaster practice info does not apply to students applying for AWS exam vouchers.

If your application is approved, you will receive an invitation to the ACE Credentials CANVAS course. This course will provide information about industry credentials, study tips, and exam prep materials (CompTIA CertMaster Practice).

Complete 2-3 short assignments in CANVAS and demonstrate exam readiness by using CertMaster Practice before claiming your free voucher. For AWS exams, you are encouraged to join free exam prep courses. More information will be provided in CANVAS.

Canvas Assignments

  • Upload a CertMaster practice exam score report of 85% or higher within 30 days of receiving the CertMaster license to receive the free voucher. (Does not apply for AWS exam vouchers)
  • Acknowledge the Financial Benefit for Students and Program Costs to NOVA and Agree to Actively Participate According to Program Guidelines
  • Claim your voucher within the scheduled deadline

You are expected to sit for your exam within 30 days of receiving your exam voucher. Dates and timelines will be provided in CANVAS. Please apply only if you plan to sit for your exam during this timeframe. Continuing NOVA students can apply at the end of each semester.

Notice of Potential Risk of Ineligibility: Students that do not use the exam voucher and students that schedule an appointment which results in a “No Show” status may risk forfeiting eligibility in receiving an exam voucher award in future application periods.

Questions?

Contact us at ACEcredentials@nvcc.edu