NVC Promise

How Do I Apply?

Complete ALL of the NVC Promise steps below. If you have already completed a step, you may skip that step and continue to the next step. You may be asked to submit additional documents to verify your eligibility.  

• First-time applicants  must complete ALL STEPS  (see below). 

• Second-year students, who received a NVC Promise Scholarship in their first year, must reapply for a second year by completing Steps 2, 3, and 6 (must meet "Who is eligible to apply?" second-year student criteria above).
  

• Read instructions carefully as incomplete or invalid applications will be denied.  

NVC Promise STEP 1:  Apply to Napa Valley College (if you have not yet applied)

Click on the underlined link above. You'll begin the online admission application by creating an OpenCCC account. During the application process you'll be asked for your intended major and an educational goal, along with some basic personal, educational and residency information.

After you apply, check your email for your Napa Valley College Congratulations Letter, which contains your NVC Student ID Number, NVC student email account, information regarding orientation, and login information for WebAdvisor, Canvas, and Office 365.

NVC Promise STEP 2:  Complete the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application

The NVC Promise provides grants and/or scholarships to qualifying students.  Your family's income does not matter when you apply for the NVC Promise, but all families, regardless of income, are required to submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) OR the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) as part of the NVC Promise application process.  Use the Napa Valley College school code 001247 on your application for the school you will attend.  Click on a link below to submit an online application (opens in a new window).

2022-2023 Academic Year (July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023)

• If you are a U.S. Citizen or an eligible non-citizen (not DACA), submit the FAFSA:

• 2022-2023 FAFSA (Click here to open the online FAFSA)

• If you are DACA, AB540 eligible, undocumented, or under-documented, submit the CADAA:
• 2022-2023 CA Dream Act Application (CADAA)(Click here to open the online CADAA 

NVC Promise STEP 3:  Complete the Online NVC Promise Scholarship Application

2022-2023 NVC Promise Scholarship Application (opens in a new window)

NVC Promise STEP 4:  Complete the Steps to Successfully Enroll as a New Student

• Complete the Online Orientation
• Meet with an academic counselor and complete an Educational Plan 

NVC Promise STEP 5:  Verification of High School Graduation (if requested)

If the NVC Promise Program is unable to verify your high school graduation prior to the start of the Fall semester, you will be asked to submit a copy of your high school diploma, GED, or equivalency.  You may submit verification of high school graduation by attaching a picture or digital copy to the online Verification of High School Graduation form. Click on the link above to open the form.  If you cannot verify your high school graduation status when asked, you will be ineligible for the NVC Promise Program.

NVC Promise STEP 6:  Register/Enroll in Classes as a Full-Time Student

You must enroll full-time each semester during your first year as a college student to qualify for the NVC Promise.  If enrolled less-than full-time in a semester, you will be ineligible for that semester. Full-time is defined as:

• 12 or more units per semester (including summer, for NVC Promise only). 

• DSPS Students Only:  If you are (or will be) enrolled in less than 12 units under a DSPS approved full-time unit load reduction for Fall and/or Spring, you must submit a Certification of DSPS Full-Time Unit Load Reduction form.

Complete your class registration through the WebAdvisor system, available up to midnight before the first day of classes. Register according to your A-G priority registration​  date.  If you wait to register once the class has started, you will need an Add Code from your instructor to register. Late start classes have different registration dates. Please refer to the Admissions and Records website​ and select the Priority Registration link.

NVC Promise STEP 7:  Pay Fees Not Covered by the NVC Promise

When you apply for the NVC Promise, you are still required to pay your fees within the Pay to Stay grace period until you receive a NVC Promise Scholarship award and CONGRATULATIONS email.  Once approved for the NVC Promise, you will be exempt from the Pay-to-Stay requirement during your first year, but will still be required to pay any fees not covered by the NVC Promise before the end of the semester.  To check your student account for unpaid fees not covered by the NVC Promise, login to  
Self Service, and then click on the Student Finance option.  Promise Scholarship awards are found under Financial Aid.

The NVC Promise Program will only pay covered fees that are listed in Table 1.   For a complete listing of fees you are required to pay and instructions on how to "opt out' of optional fees, please review the NVC Fee and Refund page.  You are required to pay for any books, supplies, online access fees, or other costs required by the course. 

How will I know if I'm eligible?

The average application processing time during peak periods (May-September) is 6-8 weeks.  You may view your NVC Promise application status in Financial Aid Self Service under the "Complete Required Documents" link.  To access Financial Aid Self Service, login to Self Service and then click on Financial Aid.

You must meet the eligibility requirements listed under "Who is eligible to apply?" and complete the NVC PROMISE STEPS 1-5 listed under "How Do I Apply? " in order to be considered for the NVC Promise Program.  You will be notified of your eligibility through your NVC student email once your application is processed.

• If you are eligible you will receive a "Congratulations!" email in your NVC student email inbox.  The email will include important information you need to know about your NVC Promise award.  You may view your NVC Promise Scholarship award in Financial Aid Self-Service by clicking on the "Review and accept your Financial Aid Award Package" link.
  
• If you are not eligible a denial email will be sent to your NVC student email stating why you were denied.  If the denial was based on a reason that can be corrected, you may submit a new NVC Promise Scholarship Application once you have met the requirements. 

When Will Covered Fees Be Paid?

Covered fees will be paid to your student account on the following dates:

2021-2022 Academic Year

• June 28, 2021 - Summer 2021
• October 8, 2021 - Fall 2021
• March 11, 2022 - Spring 2021

• If you drop below 12 units before payment is made, you will be ineligible for payment for that semester.  
• If you drop below 12 units (Fall and Spring only) at any time during your first year, you will be ineligible to apply for a second year. 
• If you paid your fees before being approved for the NVC Promise, you may be eligible to receive a refund.  Parking fees are not refundable.  Fees will not be refunded until after your enrollment status is verified and the NVC Promise Scholarship is applied to your student account. 
• If you are eligible for a refund, any unpaid fees on your student account will be deducted from the refund before it is processed for payment by the Business Office.  Fees paid by credit card will be refunded to the credit card used (if within 180 days of use).
• This is NOT a cash award.  Any award amount not used for covered fees will be returned to the NVC Promise Scholarship Program.

What must I do to remain eligible for the NVC Promise? 

Once you are approved for the NVC Promise program, you must enroll in and maintain full-time enrollment  (12 or more units) in the Fall and Spring semesters and achieve a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA (C grades or better) by the end of the Spring semester of your first year.  If you are enrolled full-time in only one semester, the NVC Promise will only apply to that semester.

To qualify for a SECOND YEAR, you must:

• Submit a new FAFSA or CADAA for the appropriate academic year; AND
• Submit a new NVC Promise Scholarship Application for the appropriate academic year; AND
• Maintain full-time enrollment in both the fall and spring semesters during your first year; AND
• Achieve a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA by the end of the Spring semester of your first year.  

If you were a mid-year high school graduate and your first year in College began with the Spring semester, you must maintain full-time enrollment in that Spring semester and achieve a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA to qualify to apply for a Second Year.

I had to withdraw from classes in Spring 2020 due to reasons related to COVID-19.  Will that affect my 2nd year eligibility?

If you were unable to maintain full-time enrollment in the Spring 2020 semester due to reasons related to COVID-19, you may still qualify for a Second Year renewal if you meet the following criteria:

• You maintained full-time enrollment in the Fall 2019 semester; AND 
• You achieved a minimum 2.0 GPA 
  

Who do I contact if I have questions about the NVC Promise?

Contact the Financial Aid/EOPS/Veterans Services Office if you have questions about the NVC Promise.

In Person                                       By Phone                      By Email                                    

Building 1100, Room 1132            (707) 256-7303             NVC.Promise@napavalley.edu

Click here for regular office hours and appointments times.

FAQ's                                                                    

How much is the NVC Promise worth?

The value of the NVC Promise depends on the number of units enrolled. The NVC Promise will pay covered fees for each semester the student is enrolled full-time during their first year in College after high school graduation. See Table 1 for an example of covered costs.  Funds may be limited, so read the instructions carefully and apply early.  Incomplete or invalid applications will be denied.

Are books covered?

No, not at this time.

Are course material fees or lab fees covered?

Yes, with exceptions.  See Table 1 for covered fees.

How will fees be paid?

Covered fees will be paid directly to your NVC Student Account on a specific date each semester (see "When Will Covered Fees Be Paid" above).

Will the NVC Promise Scholarship cover enrollment in more than 12 units?

Yes.

How long is the NVC Promise scholarship good for?

The NVC Promise applies to the first year (Summer, Fall, Spring) after high school graduation. 

Students may qualify for a second year renewal if they maintain full-time enrollment in the first year, maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA, and reapply for a second year.

Students who graduate mid-year (by December 31st) must enroll FT in the spring semester immediately following high school graduation in order to qualify for a second year the following Fall.

Can I begin in Spring and still be eligible?

Yes. For the Spring semester only.  

If you graduated from high school before the fall semester began, but opted to take the fall semester off, you will not be eligible for a second year NVC Promise.  

If you graduated from high school after the fall semester began, and then enroll FT in the Spring, you may qualify for a second year NVC Promise if you reapply.

What if I drop below 12 units?

Your enrollment will be checked prior to the date covered fees will be paid each semester (see "When Will Covered Fees Be Paid" above for dates).  If you are enrolled in 12 or more units at that time, you will remain eligible for the entire semester.  

If you drop below 12 units before your covered fees are paid, you will be ineligible for the NVC Promise Scholarship and will be responsible for paying ALL fees for the semester yourself.  

If you are enrolled in a late-start course that begins after the semester census date, you are required to attend that course when it begins.  If you fail to attend any course enrolled, those units will be removed from your enrollment status and you may become ineligible for the NVC Promise for the semester.  You will then be responsible for paying all previously covered fees for that semester.

If you fail to maintain 12 units each fall and spring semester in your first year, you will be ineligible for a second year.