NOVA launched an emergency student aid fund for those affected by COVID-19

Northern Virginia Community College’s (NOVA) Education Foundation has launched an emergency student aid fund for those personally and economically affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

NOVA reports that 60% of its 85,000 students are employed part-time or full-time. The college decided to launch the fund to support its working students who may be facing furloughs or layoffs as a result of the virus’ spread over the past few weeks. The NOVA COVID-19 Emergency Student Aid Fund will be used to deliver emergency funds to students in need of support for basic needs to carry them through this spring semester. NOVA has a goal to raise $750,000 and supply 1,500 grants totaling $500 each.

Join us in supporting NOVA's response to the #COVID19 pandemic by contributing now to the NOVA COVID-19 Emergency Student Aid Fund to facilitate the rapid delivery of funding to our #NOVANighthawks who need it most. #BoldlyNOVA https://t.co/PArv9UA9rO #SupportNOVANighthawks pic.twitter.com/fZ9PSQqr19

— NOVAcommcollege (@NOVAcommcollege) March 23, 2020

The college’s Education Foundation has donated $250,000 to kick off raising money for the fund, and is looking for individual and corporate donors to reach its goal.

“Ensuring every NOVA student succeeds is our highest priority always,” said NOVA President Dr. Anne Kress in a statement. “Our students will help our community rebuild and prosper but they can only do this if we provide the assistance they need. I encourage everyone to consider donating to the Emergency Student Aid Fund.”

With verification from the community college’s financial aid office, students can apply for grants online and will need to share their course load for the semester. Applications will be reviewed by an emergency committee and decided upon within 48 hours, a NOVA spokesperson told Technical.ly. NOVA already has an emergency aid grant request process in place and is streamlining it for this new fund.

This effort comes after NOVA decided last week to move all of its students to virtual learning for the remainder of the spring semester. On March 18, the community college also announced that it was cancelling all of its May commencement activities. To ensure students still feel confident in their academic outlook this semester, Kress hosted virtual, open office hours with students last Friday via Zoom.

Individuals and corporate entities interested in making a tax-deductible donations to the NOVA COVID-19 Emergency Student Aid Fund can donate online, by email or by phone at 703-323-3023.