G3 FAQs

The G3 initiative provides an opportunity for any Virginian to earn a college credential that meets critical employer demands. Virginia House Bill 2204 established G3 as a last-dollar grant for eligible students after other grant aid is applied. Funding is available for either credit or non-credit programs.

G3 is a limited pool of funds for students enrolled at least half-time in one of the eligible G3 credit or non-credit programs and will be awarded on a first-come/first-served basis as eligibility is determined. G3 funds make up the difference between what state, federal and other financial aid grants pay. This is commonly referred to as a "last dollar" program.

G3 awards can cover tuition and mandatory fees and a textbook stipend of $500 for full-time attendance, $375 for three-quarter-time and $250 for half-time enrollment.

Students who are enrolled full-time and receive a full Federal Pell Grant (based on a $0 Expected Family Contribution), can receive a Student Support Incentive Grant (SSIG) of up to $2,250 per year. To qualify for the Student Support Incentive Grant (SSIG), students must be full-time (12 or more credit hours) and receive a full Federal Pell Grant with an EFC equal to 0. This additional assistance is intended to reduce the number of part-time hours a student has to work so that he or she can spend more time studying.

Academic (credit) students who are awarded G3 funding have 3 years (i.e. 9 consecutive terms including the summer term) to complete their G3-eligible associate’s degree.  Students must take at least 6 eligible credits per semester to receive G3 funding; full-time enrollment in at least 12 eligible credits per semester is encouraged.  To remain eligible for G3 funding, participating students must meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements, which include successfully completing at least 67% of the cumulative credits attempted, maintaining a minimum GPA, and completing the program of study before attempting 150% of the credits required for the degree or certificate.  A student’s eligibility for G3 funding will be based on the FAFSA they submit each aid year, their enrollment for each semester, and the other financial aid that they receive since G3 is a last-dollar grant after other grant aid is applied to the student’s account. 

Your income level will be assessed based on tax data provided on the current award year FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

If your total household income on the FAFSA is less than or equal to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (approximately $50,000 for an individual or $100,000 for a family of four), you may be eligible for G3 funding. Keep in mind, all taxable and untaxable income for student/spouse/parent(s) is included in total household income.

If household income has declined within the last two years, students are encouraged to submit an income appeal after they apply for financial aid.

To be considered for G3 funding for credit programs (AAS, CERT, CSC), applicants must apply for financial aid by filing a FAFSA each award year and be eligible for federal and state aid. Conflicting information must also be resolved. Students must monitor their "To-Do List" items in MyNOVA to ensure the financial aid office has all the necessary items to process an award. If household income has declined within the last two years, students are encouraged to submit an income appeal after they apply for financial aid.

Students can only be placed into approved G3 programs. Dual placement in non-G3 programs that are financial aid eligible will not be permitted.

The number of stackable G3 programs is limited only by the CSCs and/or Certs embedded in the AAS. Stackable means the credits apply to both the CSC or Cert and the AAS.

The goal of the G3 initiative is to get students back into the workforce as quickly as possible. Therefore, students cannot be enrolled in NOVA’s transfer degree programs and receive G3 funding. Students should work with their academic advisors to choose the programs of study most appropriate for their career goals.

Students can only be placed in approved G3 programs. Dual placement in non-G3 programs that are financial aid eligible will not be permitted.

Example: Students cannot be placed into AAS Information Systems Technology (G3) and AS Computer Science (non-G3).

Yes! G3 is special because even those with a previous degree (domestic or international) to receive funding (if all other G3 eligibility criteria are met). Those with a previous bachelors are higher may receive G3 tuition/fees/books funding, but are not eligible for SSIG (Student Success Initiative Grant) supplementary funding.

No, students who have defaulted on Federal/FFEL student loans are ineligible for Federal Financial Aid and cannot receive G3 funding.

Unfortunately, these students would not be eligible for G3 funding because NOVA cannot appropriately determine percent of poverty level. Students in this situation cannot be treated as independent students unless additional documentable circumstances exist that indicate why this student should be treated differently than all other students.

No, students who have failed Satisfactory Academic Progress standards are ineligible for Federal Financial Aid and cannot receive G3 funding. If you are no-SAP status, you may file an appeal with the Financial Aid office.

Students are initially awarded G3 funds based on full-time enrollment (12 or more credits) until adjustments are made after the 15-week term census date that occurs a few weeks into the term. G3 awards will be adjusted to actual enrollment at that time. Please do not ask for awards to be adjusted prior to the normal adjustment period.

At census date, awards will change if a student is less than full-time or has added or dropped credits. Credits dropped or never attended will also result in changes to awards and could mean that students owe back funds already awarded/received.

G3 funds make up the difference between what state, federal and other financial aid grants pay. This is commonly referred to as a "last dollar" program. As such, G3 is subject to the same census locking rules as Pell.

Students are encouraged to register for all courses they wish to take during the entire semester by the term census. Financial aid adjustments begin after this date. Classes added on or after this date for the current term will not increase your eligibility for financial aid grants. Aid may be reduced for students enrolled in less than 12 eligible credits. Information on financial aid awards, disbursements and refunds is available here.

To qualify for the Student Support Incentive Grant (SSIG), students must be full-time (12 or more credit hours) and receive a full Federal Pell Grant with an EFC equal to 0. This additional assistance is intended to reduce the number of part-time hours a student has to work so that he or she can spend more time studying. *Students with a previous Bachelor’s degree or higher are not eligible for SSIG.

SSIG is disbursed in two installments with the first one occurring after census and the second one delayed until the end of the term in order to confirm the student did not completely withdraw or stop attending.