Virtual Advising Frequently Asked Questions

Unfortunately, virtual advisors cannot set, cancel, or change campus appointments with any office. To schedule an appointment:

  1. Log into MyNOVA
  2. Click on NAVIGATE|Student
  3. Click on "Appointments" on the left-hand menu
  4. Click on "Schedule an Appointment"
  5. Select "Advising" as the type of Appointment
  6. Scroll down and select the service related to your need
  7. Select "Virtual Appointment"
  8. Select your desired Advisor name from the list

Dual Enrollment

I am a current dual enrollment student (or parent of a dual enrollment student). I need permission to enroll in classes. What do I do?

Please see the procedures for dual enrollment students. If you are a current dual enrollment student (still in high school), please email DualEnrollment@nvcc.edu for assistance. Virtual Advisors cannot enroll current dual enrollment students (those still in high school).

I am a visiting student currently enrolled at another college or university, but I have a dual enrollment hold, under 18 years of age hold or a home school hold that doesn't apply to me. What do I do?

Please attach a copy of an unofficial college transcript and send it to VirtualAdvising@nvcc.edu. We will be happy to assist you.

Financial Aid

I am taking courses at NOVA to fulfill prerequisites for another degree plan. What major do I select at NOVA so I can receive financial aid?

Virtual Advisors do not program place students for the purposes of receiving financial aid.

I am visiting NOVA for a semester and want to use financial aid to pay for my classes. How do I declare a degree plan?

Virtual advisors are not able to declare degree plans for students who do not intend to complete a degree at NOVA. You will need to contact your home university financial aid office to ask for a consortium agreement. This agreement will allow your home university to award financial aid for courses you are taking at NOVA.

I am failing Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and need a counselor to sign my academic plan. Who can help?

For Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeals, please complete the following steps:

I need to check on my financial aid status. What should I do?

Holds

I am a visiting student currently enrolled at another college or university, but I have a dual enrollment hold, under 18 years of age hold, or a home school hold that doesn't apply to me. What do I do?

Please attach a copy of an unofficial college transcript and send it to VirtualAdvising@nvcc.edu. We will be happy to assist you.

I am a current dual enrollment student (or parent of a dual enrollment student), and I need permission to enroll in classes. What do I do?

Please see the procedures for dual enrollment students. If you are a current dual enrollment student (still in high school) please email DualEnrollment@nvcc.edu for assistance. Virtual Advisors are not able to enroll current dual enrollment students (those still in high school).

I have a non-native English speaker hold (WA6) on my record, but I believe this is an error. What should I do?

If you have completed college-level English at a U.S. college or university, or you have completed a standardized test such as the SAT, ACT or TOEFL in the last five years, please send an unofficial copy of your transcript/test results to VirtualAdvising@nvcc.edu.

I am on academic probation. I need permission to enroll in or change my classes. What do I do?

Please visit the academic success counseling page . Contact information for your campus is provided on the page. Virtual advisors are not able to provide enrollment assistance to students on academic probation.

I am on academic suspension. How do I re-enroll?

Students who wish to appeal academic suspension status should follow the appeal process established by the College.

I have a WAD (financial self-sufficiency) hold. What do I do?

This hold must be addressed with student services on campus or via NOVA online. Proof of financial self-sufficiency (your tax info showing you fully support yourself) and a Verification of Independent Status form must be submitted, or you will need to re-file your in-state tuition application with parent information (taxes, etc.). Virtual advisors are unable to change student tuition rates.

New to NOVA

I can't log into MyNOVA, or I've forgotten my password, or I don't know my student number. What do I do?

For help with your password and student number, please get in touch with the IT helpdesk.

I am a first-time NOVA student. How do I get started?

New, first-time college students should complete the online New2NOVA orientation. After completion of the online orientation, please complete the advising survey. Your assigned advisor or a Virtual Student Support Advisor will be happy to help you with class selection.

Online students can get started here. Additional questions specific to online courses should be addressed to NOVA Online.

Placement Test

Do I have to take the English placement test?

If English is your primary language, you should complete an advising survey to determine your English course(s).

I have a non-native English speaker hold (WA6) on my record, but I believe this is an error. What should I do?

If you have completed college-level English at a U.S. college or university, or you have completed a standardized test such as the SAT, ACT or TOEFL in the last five years, please send an unofficial copy of your transcript/test results to VirtualAdvising@nvcc.edu.

More information on placement test exemptions and alternatives can be found here.

What if my primary language is not English?

If your home language is not English and you are looking for ESL classes, please click here.

Transfer

I need the College Report for my Common Application. Who completes this for me?

The campus registrar completes the enrollment verification form for students who need this report. The form can be accessed here.

Registrars require a few days to complete the request so please allow time when making this request.

How do I know what is needed to meet the requirements of Guaranteed Admissions Agreements?

For detailed transfer planning, please plan to meet with your faculty advisor.

How will my credits transfer to NOVA?

Virtual Advisors do not complete transcript evaluations for transfer credits. Therefore, they cannot guarantee equivalence of transfer credits to NOVA courses. The College Records Office completes transfer evaluations for previous academic study, examination, or career experience to be evaluated for possible college credits. Only students who have declared a major and registered for at least one credit at NOVA may request an evaluation of transfer credits or credit for prior learning.

NOVA accepts credits for which a student has earned a grade of "C" or better. You may see the complete process required for an official transfer credit evaluation and how credits have previously transferred to NOVA via our TES database.

I am a visiting or incoming transfer student. How do I obtain permission to take a course with prerequisite(s) I have already completed?

If you completed prerequisites at another college or university, please 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:
  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 for which you need a waiver.

Tuition (in-state)

I am currently listed as an Out-of-State student, but I should be eligible for in-state tuition. How do I correct this?

Students who have been legally domiciled in Virginia for at least one year prior to the first day of classes for a term are eligible to pay tuition at the in-state rate. Domicile means the present, fixed home of an individual who returns following temporary absences and at which he/she intends to stay indefinitely. Domicile is NOT the same thing as residence. With certain exceptions, students under the age of 24 are presumed to have their parents' or legal guardians' domicile. You may appeal your tuition rate through an appeal for domicile reclassification.

For additional concerns, please contact Student Services. Virtual advisors are unable to change student tuition rates.

I have a WAD (financial self-sufficiency) hold. What do I do?

This hold must be addressed with student services on campus or via NOVA online. Proof of financial self-sufficiency (your tax info showing you fully support yourself) and a Verification of Independent Status form must be submitted, or you will need to re-file your in-state tuition application with parent information (taxes, etc.). Virtual advisors are unable to change student tuition rates.

Visiting Students

I am a visiting or incoming transfer student. How do I obtain permission to take a course with prerequisite(s) I have already completed?

If you completed prerequisites at another college or university, please 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:
  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 for which you need a waiver.

I am visiting NOVA for a semester and want to use financial aid to pay for my classes. How do I declare a degree plan?

Virtual advisors are not able to declare degree plans for students who do not intend to complete a degree at NOVA. You will need to contact your home university financial aid office to ask for a consortium agreement. This agreement will allow your home university to award financial aid for courses you are taking at NOVA.

I am a visiting student currently enrolled at another college or university, but I have a dual enrollment hold, under 18 years of age hold, or a home school hold that doesn't apply to me. What do I do?

Please attach a copy of an unofficial college transcript and send it to VirtualAdvising@nvcc.edu. We will be happy to assist you.