Strong Programs Support NOVA Students
                                                                                                                                                                                                         By:  Robert Hull

All of our families and businesses have weathered quite a storm over the past two years. The Northern Virginia Community College is no exception. But, we have bounced back and are better than ever with strong programs that support our students.

After shifting to teleworking for employees and remote instruction for students in March 2020 following Governor Northam’s declaration of a State of Emergency to combat the pandemic, NOVA gradually transitioned back to full on-campus operations starting in the Fall 2021 Semester.

Enrollment at public two-year colleges nationwide has fallen an average of 10 percent from pre-pandemic levels as students have delayed their higher education aspirations to enter the workforce to help their families in an economy that has improved from the downturn that initially accompanied the pandemic.

NOVA’s enrollments have not fallen as steeply and much of this success is due to two programs initiated by the General Assembly for all Virginia community colleges. The first is known as FastForward, a program created in 2016 that provides funding for short-term noncredit workforce training programs that lead to an industry credential or certification in a high-demand field.

The program pays for two-thirds of a student’s educational costs, including tuition, books, and supplies. Students pay the remaining third of the costs and are expected to obtain the credential identified for their program.

Eligible programs align with high-demand fields set by the state. NOVA offers 17 approved programs in information technology, allied health, skilled trades, and business.

Over 3,238 students have completed FastForward approved programs at NOVA since its implementation in 2016 and the credential completion rate has nearly doubled from 37% in 2016 to 64% in 2020.

As the economy has improved since the pandemic began, enrollment in FastForward courses has skyrocketed with a 236% increase in total enrollment in fiscal year 2021 over fiscal year 2020.

The other successful program is known as the G3 initiative, which stands for “Get a Skill, Get a Job, Get Ahead.” Approved by the General Assembly in 2021, Governor Ralph Northam signed the bill creating the initiative in a ceremony at NOVA’s Alexandria Campus in March.

The G3 initiative covers the costs of degree or certificate programs or non-credit workforce courses for low-income or moderate-income students enrolled in five high-demand career areas: healthcare, information technology, manufacturing and skilled trades, early childhood education, and public safety.

Students eligible for federal financial aid can apply for the program if their total household income is no more than 400% of the federal poverty level. Students use any approved federal grant and the G3 initiative pays the remaining costs of tuition, fees, books, and support services, such as food, transportation, and childcare.

This past year, 1,446 NOVA students enrolled in approved G3 degree and certificate programs, with over half in cybersecurity and information systems technology studies. In addition, 143 students enrolled in approved G3 workforce courses in Fall 2021, with about half in information technology and healthcare programs.

Take a look at these two successful programs. As with all of our programs of study, information about the FastForward program and G3 initiative can be found on the NOVA website at nvcc.edu.