JumpStart2NOVA

a group of students smiling

JumpStart Your College Career With NOVA!

JumpStart2NOVA is a tuition-free summer program offering college courses to graduating high school seniors who plan to attend NOVA in the fall. Courses run for 10 weeks, from June 3 to August 11, 2025.

This opportunity is available to students graduating this spring who live in one of the following areas:
City of Alexandria, Arlington County, City of Falls Church, Fairfax City, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, City of Manassas, City of Manassas Park, or Prince William County.

Have questions? Email us at JumpStart@nvcc.edu.

Important Dates

  • Application opens: Monday, March 3, 2025
  • Application deadline: Monday, May 5, 2025, at 5:00 PM
  • Courses begin: Tuesday, June 3, 2025
  • Courses end: Monday, August 11, 2025
  • Drop date: Friday, June 13, 2025
  • Withdrawal date: Tuesday, July 15, 2025

College Information Sessions

JumpStart2NOVA Information Session

Wednesday, April 23 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Register for the JumpStart2NOVA Info Session

Planning your Course Schedule

Tuesday, April 29 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Register for the Course Planning Webinar

There are no upcoming webinars at this time. 

Presentation Date Recording Passcode
JumpStart2NOVA Information Session Wednesday, March 19, 2025 Watch Recording J+f@uM87

What is JumpStart2NOVA?

Course Course Name Credits Degree Requirement Course Materials
CST 110 Introduction to Human Communication 3 Communication, Languages, Studio Art, and Technology Elective Open Educational Resource (OER)
ECO 201 Principles of Macroeconomics 3 Social/Behavioral Science Elective OER
ECO 202 Principles of Microeconomics 3 Social/Behavioral Science Elective OER
ENG 111 College Composition I 3 Written Communication OER
GEO 210 Intro to Cultural Geography 3 Social/Behavioral Science Elective OER
ITE 152 Intro to Digital and Information Literacy 3 Communication, Languages, Studio Art, and Technology Elective All Access
MTH 154 Quantitative Reasoning 3 Mathematics Requirement All Access
MTH 161 Precalculus I 3 Mathematics Requirement All Access
MUS 121 Music Appreciation 3 Humanities/Fine Arts Elective OER
REL 100 Intro to the Study of Religion 3 Humanities/Fine Arts Elective OER
PSY 200 Principles of Psychology 3 Social/Behavioral Science Elective All Access
PLS 135 U.S. Government and Politics 3 Social/Behavioral Science Elective OER
SDV 100 College Success Skills 1 Student Development Requirement OER

To identify which courses meet your degree requirements, refer to the college catalog. Also check the Credit for Prior Learning manual for options like AP/IB exams.

Planning to transfer? Consider the Uniform Certificate of General Studies curriculum.

Most programs only require one SDV course. If you’ve already completed an SDV course and are considering taking another, consult with Academic Advising before enrolling. If not, we encourage you to take SDV 100 through JumpStart2NOVA.

Note: Course selections cannot be changed after May 5.

Textbooks and course materials are included at no cost through NOVA’s All Access program and will be delivered via student email on the first day of class. Learn more about NOVA All Access.

Open Educational Resource (OER) courses use free, online materials accessed through Canvas.

Tuition for up to four credits—typically one 3-credit course plus NOVA’s 1-credit College Success Skills (SDV 100)—is fully covered by a JumpStart2NOVA scholarship. Students do not owe tuition or fees for eligible courses taken through the program.

Course materials are included at no cost through NOVA’s All Access program. Students are automatically enrolled in All Access, and materials will be delivered via NOVA student email on the first day of class. Review details about NOVA All Access.

Students will see a tuition bill and receive automated email payment reminders. Please disregard these reminders. As long as you registered through the Office of Dual Enrollment, your scholarship will be applied by the last day of class.

Note: You are responsible for any tuition or fees related to courses taken outside of the JumpStart2NOVA program.

To qualify, students must:

  • Reside in NOVA’s service area
  • Be graduating from high school in Spring 2025
  • Plan to attend NOVA in the Fall
  • Have all registration holds removed
  • Complete the Direct Enrollment Survey
  • Submit a current high school transcript

Students must also meet course-specific placement requirements, listed below.

NOVA Course English Placement Requirements Math Placement Requirements
CST 110, ECO 201, ECO 202, ENG 111, GEO 210, ITE 152, MUS 121, REL 100, PSY 200, PLS 135, SDV 100
  • High school GPA 3.0 or higher
  • PSAT EBRW ≥ 390
  • SAT EBRW ≥ 480
  • ACT English/Reading ≥ 18
 N/A
MTH 154 High school GPA 3.0 or higher and a grade of C (2.0) or better in a high school math course If not using GPA, students must meet one English and one math score:
  • PSAT EBRW ≥ 390
  • SAT EBRW ≥ 480
  • ACT English/Writing ≥ 18
  • PSAT Math ≥ 500
  • SAT Math ≥ 530
  • ACT Math ≥ 22
MTH 161 High school GPA 3.0 or higher and a grade of C (2.0) or better in Algebra 2 or a higher-level math course If not using GPA, students must meet one English and one math score:
  • SAT EBRW ≥ 480
  • ACT English/Writing ≥ 18
  • SAT Math ≥ 530
  • ACT Math ≥ 22

For guidance on degree planning, refer to the college catalog. You can also review the Credit for Prior Learning manual for AP/IB credit options.

If you're unsure about your program, consider the Uniform Certificate of General Studies curriculum as a transfer-friendly foundation.

Most programs require only one SDV course. If you’ve already completed an SDV course and are considering another, please consult Academic Advising before enrolling. If not, we encourage you to take SDV 100 as part of your JumpStart2NOVA experience.

Note: Course selections cannot be changed after the registration deadline on May 5.

Students may take a maximum of two courses: one 3-credit course and NOVA's 1-credit Student Development course (SDV 100).

Enrollment is limited, and course availability depends on qualified instructor assignments. You will be notified if your selected course is unavailable.

Course Materials

Textbooks and required materials are included at no cost through NOVA’s All Access program. Students are automatically enrolled, and materials are delivered via NOVA student email on the first day of class. Learn more about NOVA All Access.

Courses labeled as Open Educational Resource (OER) use free, online materials accessible in Canvas.

Online Courses

All courses are delivered asynchronously through NOVA Online (NOL). There are no scheduled real-time meetings, but students must meet all deadlines outlined in the syllabus. Instructors are available for office hours and may offer virtual sessions.

Students must have reliable internet access and a computer. A laptop may be available for loan through the Laptop Loaner Program.

Courses are taught by NOVA Online instructors. Students will be placed into specific JumpStart2NOVA course sections and may not select their own instructor.

Some exams may be proctored remotely and require the Respondus Lockdown Browser, which must be downloaded to the student's computer. For more details, view the NOVA Online Orientation.

Accommodations & Accessibility

Students with documented disabilities may be eligible for support under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). To request accommodations, students must be currently enrolled and submit documentation through NOVA’s Accommodations and Accessibility Services page.

College Transcript

Enrollment in a JumpStart2NOVA course creates or updates your official NOVA college transcript. This transcript will need to be submitted to any future colleges or universities you apply to.

How Do I Apply for the JumpStart2NOVA Program?

Step 1: Apply to NOVA

  1. Submit your application to NOVA and select Summer 2025 as your admit term.
  2. Be sure to copy your EMPLID, username, and password for future use.
  3. If you’ve already applied to NOVA, skip to Step 2.
Apply to NOVA

Step 2: Complete the JumpStart2NOVA Application

  • Go to the Dual Enrollment Login Portal. First-time users must create an account using a personal email address and a new username and password. This is not your NOVA login.
  • Returning users should log into their existing Dual Enrollment account.
  • All applicants must upload a current high school transcript and any qualifying test scores, if applicable.
  • Select JumpStart2NOVA 2025 as your term.
  • Select one course from the list. You may add SDV 100 as a second course.
  • Note: You cannot change or add courses after the registration deadline on May 5, 2025.

Step 3: Check Your Email for Updates

  • You will receive email updates as your application is processed. Please respond promptly.
  • All application steps and documents must be submitted by May 5, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The JumpStart2NOVA scholarship for tuition-free courses applies only to selected courses and sections. Students must follow the registration process outlined on the website and will be enrolled by a NOVA registrar. Students will not enroll themselves or select the section and instructor.

All courses are offered asynchronously through NOVA Online (NOL). This means there will not be regularly scheduled real-time meetings. You will be expected to meet all deadlines outlined in the course syllabus. Instructors are available for office hours and may offer virtual meetings throughout the course.

Students must have access to a computer and a reliable internet connection. A laptop may be available for loan through the laptop loaner program.

Courses are taught by NOVA Online instructors. You will be enrolled in a JumpStart2NOVA section and cannot select your instructor.

Some exams may be proctored remotely using the Respondus Lockdown Browser. For more information, visit the NOVA Online Orientation.

No, JumpStart2NOVA courses are official college courses, and your final grades will appear on your NOVA transcript. This transcript must be submitted to any future colleges or universities you apply to.

To help you succeed, you have access to free online tutoring and NOVA Online Success Coaches:

Stay Connected: Check your NOVA email regularly for updates from your instructors and NOVA Online:

Dropping a Course: If you wish to withdraw, visit:

NOVA is committed to supporting our local high school students, many of whom face barriers to accessing affordable higher education. This program helps students get a head start on their college journey and career goals. We are proud to welcome our new and returning Nighthawks to the summer program!