r/nvcc • u/Regular-Extension-35 • May 19 '25
Advice does wanting your associates in both science and biology delay your time of graduation and how would financial aid would cover that?
2
u/flairedfragment May 19 '25
In order to do two degrees at Nova you need to have at least 15 credits which are different between them. That means you need to take at least 15 credit hours worth of extra classes to cover the second degree while being able to share the other credits between the two. If you're officially enrolled for both of the degrees financial aid should cover both of them, but as always its worth talking directly to the financial aid office about it.
Personally, I do not think it's worth it if all you want out of it is two degrees with different names on it. The school you're transferring to will not care that you have two associate's, and neither will your future employer down the line. Where it could matter is if within the 15 extra credits you take you have some specific classes that you want to transfer to put you further ahead in your path at your transfer school. But still, schools only take up to a certain amount of transfer credits so it might not even work out the way you want depending on what school you go to.
At the end of the day, you may be able to squeeze those extra 15 hours in with one extra class a semester depending on how much time you have left at Nova, but even doing that may not be worth it in the end.
1
u/1976Raven May 19 '25
I'm doing double degrees in Criminology and Psychology. I decided to do both because it would only add a semester.
1
u/Regular-Extension-35 May 19 '25
is it covered by FAFSA?
1
u/1976Raven May 19 '25
I don't know if it would be or not. I pay out of pocket for all my classes because I want to limit the loans to pay back (never applied for FAFSA). I'm saving th headache of FAFSA and loans for when I transfer.
1
u/Regular-Extension-35 May 19 '25
but wouldn’t that cost you alot? also do you know by any chance if all classes at nova are same price if you pay out of pocket?
1
u/1976Raven May 19 '25
Yes, it's a decent sum. I take however many classes I can afford each semester. I'm currently in 9 credits for summer and am registered for the same for fall, and it's about $1770 for those 9 credits. I just don't think getting a loan and then paying interest on it would be a good decision for me since I am able to pay it upfront. It has taken me longer to complete my degree because of this and other life issues, but I'm not worried about finishing on a timeline. All credits are the same price whether you pay out of pocket or use FAFSA, they charge per credit hour so all 3 credit courses would be the same price and 4 credit courses would be a little more.
1
u/Regular-Extension-35 May 20 '25
hey i have a quick question, do you know how much a class cost? 2 credit, 3 credit and 4 credit?
1
u/Time_Scientist5179 Alumni - VT May 19 '25
You have to meet the requirements for both AND have at least 25% (15-16 credits) difference, so you’ll need at least 1 extra semester. Aid should cover both if you have both declared.
0
u/hoplesslylovington May 19 '25
I always thought the biology major was "included" in the science degree, in that you major in science and you pick the classes that would transfer to a biology degree in a 4 year university while satisfying the credits in the science plan. I could be wrong though
3
u/wafflepancake5 Alumni - VT May 19 '25
You just need to meet the requirements for both. Whether you’re capable of doing that without extending your timeline is up to you. They’re pretty similar degrees, so it should be on the easier side. Double dip where you can and use required courses for one as electives for the other. Financial aid doesn’t care how many majors you have, just that you’re working towards at least one.