Visiting, Incoming & Returning Students

image of students on campus

Steps to Get Started

We welcome all students who are interested in attending NOVA. This section will guide you through the application process and other vital steps to getting started at NOVA. 

For Transfer Students

Submit an application for admission: (Online | Download )

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at least four weeks prior to the tuition payment deadline. Use the online tutorial to help you complete the form.

  • Learn more about financial assistance.
  • To pay in installments, you must enroll in the FACTS Tuition Payment Plan prior to your tuition due date.

You are encouraged to speak with a counselor before enrolling for classes. A counselor can help you select a major, identify the classes you need to take, get financial aid, evaluate potential careers and more.

Officially transfer your prior coursework to NOVA. The College will determine which courses will count in your program of study. You should do this as soon as possible to avoid taking unnecessary courses.

  • Request an official transcript from every college or university you have attended.
  • Request official test scores to be sent to us directly (AP, IB, CLEP).
  • Official transcript(s) may be sent electronically by one of the following resources:
    • National Student Clearinghouse, Naviance, Parchment or directly from the institution to AsktheCRO@nvcc.edu.
    • Paper transcripts can be mailed to Northern Virginia Community College, College Records Office  -FX- P3, 3924 Pender Dr. Fairfax, VA 22030
  • Complete and submit a Transcript Evaluation Request form for each transcript and test score.

Enroll online with NOVAConnect. First-time students are encouraged to enroll in SDV 100 or another student development course during their first semester.

Pay online by credit card through NOVAConnect. When you enroll for classes, you must pay by the payment deadline. Unpaid classes may be dropped from your schedule.

Print a copy of your enrollment schedule from NOVAConnect or call 703.323.3770 or 703.330.3770 (Prince William County) to check your classes and payment status.

  • Verify that you are enrolled in the correct courses.
  • Print a copy of your enrollment schedule every time you make a change.

Activate your free email account.

  • To protect your privacy, instructors may only use a student's official NOVA email address.
  • You will receive updates on course changes and other pertinent information through your NOVA email account.

Important Notice: Students cannot activate their VCCS student email until they have enrolled for classes. All fees must be paid before students can access their email. 

For Returning Students

Submit an application for admission: Online | Download Application

  • View Admissions Information.
  • If you believe you qualify for in-state tuition rates, complete the in-state tuition section of the application form prior to enrollment and payment of tuition.

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at least four weeks prior to the tuition payment deadline. Use the online tutorial to help you complete the form.

Most U.S. students will not need to take a placement test at NOVA. Students should visit the Direct Enrollment and Self Placement site to learn more about new placement measures and to fill out an Advising Survey to determine which college level Math and English courses to start with.

  • Tests are given at each campus Testing Center.
  • Photo ID and Student ID (found on your NOVACard) are required.
  • Allow approximately two hours for each test.

You are encouraged to speak with an advisor before enrolling for classes. An advisor can help you select a major, identify the classes you need to take, get financial aid, evaluate potential careers and more.

  • Walk-in advising is available at any Student Services Center.
  • Students with disabilities can meet with a counselor for accommodations and accessibility services. 
  • Confirm your major.
  • Bring an unofficial transcript from every college you have attended.
  • Determine which classes transfer to NOVA.
  • Verify whether you need to take placement tests.
  • Choose your classes.

Enroll online with NOVAConnect. First-time students are encouraged to enroll in SDV 100 or another student development course during their first semester.

Pay online by credit card through NOVAConnect. When you enroll for classes, you must pay by the payment deadline. Unpaid classes may be dropped from your schedule.

Print a copy of your enrollment schedule from NOVAConnect or call 703.323.3770 or 703.330.3770 (Prince William County) to check your classes and payment status.

  • Verify that you are enrolled in the correct courses.
  • Print a copy of your enrollment schedule every time you make a change.

Print your schedule of classes and take it to your campus bookstore or buy your books online.

You can buy your parking permit online through Parking Services using your credit card 24 hours after you enroll for classes. You can also pay for a permit by cash or check at any of the campus Parking Services offices.

Parking permits are required for all semesters/sessions of enrollment.

Permits are required for all vehicles parked in all lots (except parking meters and hourly pay lots).

Student permits are valid only in "B" lots.

To use the parking garages at the Annandale and Medical Education Campuses, you must have a NOVACard ID and a parking permit.

Hourly pay parking is available in the garages for those without a current permit and ID card.

Activate your free email account.

  • To protect your privacy, instructors may only use a student's official NOVA email address.
  • You will receive updates on course changes and other pertinent information through your NOVA email account.

Important Notice: Students cannot activate their VCCS student email until they have enrolled for classes. All fees must be paid before students can access their email.  

Visiting & Transient Students

Submit an application for admission: Online | Download Application

Visiting F-1 Students

If you are an international student from another institution on F-1 status, based on the information you provided with your application, you may have an F-1 service indicator hold on your record. This needs to be removed before you can register for classes.

You will need to submit the below documents online through NOVA's International Student Services E-Form 125-061 by logging in with your NOVA student ID and password. Select Request Type "Visiting F-1 Student".

Click here for F-1 Student Request for Services form 125-061

  • Copy of your passport ID page
  • Copy of your current I-20
  • Letter from your International Student Advisor confirming you are maintaining F-1 status and will be enrolled in at least one course at your home institution for the semester you are planning to co-enroll at NOVA, if it is not during your F-1 vacation period.

You will receive an email when the indicators have been removed. You may contact oiss@nvcc.edu for additional guidance.

Fill out the Course Prerequisite Waiver Form 125-041.

  1. Upload and attach your unofficial documents. The submitted documentation needs to demonstrate that prerequisites have been met as outlined in the NOVA Course Content Summary for that course. Unofficial documents can include:
    • Unofficial college or university transcripts from any institution within the United States. Transcript must include your full name, university name and your entire course history on the document.
    • Unofficial international evaluation transcripts from World Education Services (WES) or International Education Research Foundation (IERF).
    • Unofficial test scores from ABLE, ACE, ACT AP, CAMBRIDGE, CLEP, DSST, DuoLingo, GED, IB, IELTS , SAT, SAT II ,TOEFL iBT.
    • Unofficial U.S. high school transcripts for upper-level math courses (MTH 162, MTH 245, MTH 261, MTH 263).
  2. Select the NOVA course you need a prerequisite waiver for using the drop-down menus.
  3. Use the comment section to list the prerequisite(s) you completed for that class.
  4. Submit the form. You will receive a response within three business days.
  5. Submit one form per course that you need a waiver for.

Visiting & Transient Students - Northern Virginia Community College
Transfer to Northern Virginia Community College and find out if you can receive credit for completed coursework.

Virtual Advisors are available for support and questions through email or Live Chat.

Enroll online with NOVAConnect. First-time students are encouraged to enroll in SDV 100 or another student development course during their first semester.

Pay online by credit card through NOVAConnect. When you enroll for classes, you must pay by the payment deadline. Unpaid classes may be dropped from your schedule.

Important Note About Financial Aid

Transient students who are pursuing degrees at other colleges and who are just taking classes at NOVA with the intention of transferring those courses back to their home institutions are not eligible for financial aid at NOVA. Such students may consult with the Financial Aid Office at the home institution to see if they are willing to do a consortium agreement with NOVA whereby the home institution awards the student aid based on enrollment at NOVA.

Print a copy of your enrollment schedule from NOVAConnect  or call 703.323.3000 to check your classes and payment status.

  • Verify that you are enrolled in the correct courses.
  • Print a copy of your enrollment schedule every time you make a change.

Print your schedule of classes and take it to your campus bookstore or buy your books online.

Activate your free email account.

  • To protect your privacy, instructors may only use a student's official NOVA email address.
  • You will receive updates on course changes and other pertinent information through your NOVA email account.

Important Notice: Students cannot activate their VCCS student email until they have enrolled for classes. All fees must be paid before students can access their email.