ADVANCE Transition (Matriculation to Mason)


Eligibility Requirements:

An ADVANCE student may be eligible and approved for matriculation into degree-seeking status at Mason if:


  • The ADVANCE student is in compliance with all ADVANCE milestones associated with their designated curricular pathway
  • Will complete all remaining coursework of the NOVA associate degree program as indicated in the ADVANCE curricular pathway by the end of the semester prior to transition
  • Has submitted their NOVA graduation application by the deadline (October 1st for Fall graduation, March 1st for Spring graduation, and June 1st for Summer graduation) for the associate degree program indicated in their ADVANCE curricular pathway in the semester prior to transition

OR

  • Have no more than one (1) course remaining to complete all requirements of the NOVA associate degree program as indicated in their ADVANCE curricular pathway. Students in this category must satisfy the following in order to be approved for matriculation:
  • Register for the remaining NOVA associate degree requirement as indicated in their ADVANCE curricular pathway
  • Submit an application to graduate from NOVA by the deadline (October 1st for Fall graduation, March 1st for Spring graduation, and June 1st for Summer graduation) for the associate degree program indicated in their ADVANCE curricular pathway during the semester of transition
  • Have a completed ADVANCE study elsewhere memo on file with the Assistant Director of ADVANCE Operations


Please Note:

Students not meeting the ADVANCE milestones per their ADVANCE curricular pathway or those with more than one (1) course remaining to complete all requirements of the NOVA associate degree program as indicated in their ADVANCE curricular pathway will be ineligible to transition, but can do so in a future semester. Students in this category are encouraged to discuss remaining ADVANCE milestones and/or degree requirements as well as transition options and timeline with assigned Success Coach


During Matriculation Appointment:


  • Meeting with the Success Coach: An ADVANCE student will self-initiate their matriculation by scheduling an appointment to discuss transition with their Success Coach. The Success Coach will review matriculation eligibility with the student and approve or not approve transition for a given semester. If a student is ineligible, Success Coach will discuss remaining ADVANCE and/or degree requirements, including transition options and timeline with student.


After Matriculation Appointment:


  • Complete the Matriculation Form: If an ADVANCE student is initially approved for matriculation, the Success Coach will initiate the process on behalf of the student. Within 24-48 hours of this process being initiated, the student will receive a communication to their VCCS e-mail account containing a link to the ADVANCE matriculation form. ADVANCE students must complete this form in order to proceed with the matriculation process
  • After Matriculation Form is Completed: If the student has not already done so, they will need to:
    • Continue to remain in compliance with all ADVANCE milestones associated with their designated curricular pathway
    • Complete all remaining coursework of the NOVA associate degree program as indicated in the ADVANCE curricular pathway by the end of the semester prior to transition
    • Submit their NOVA graduation application by the deadline (October 1st for Fall graduation, March 1st for Spring graduation, and June 1st for Summer graduation) for the associate degree program indicated in their ADVANCE curricular pathway in the semester prior to transition


If using the Study Elsewhere process during semester of transition:

    • Have no more than one (1) course remaining to complete all requirements of the NOVA associate degree program as indicated in their ADVANCE curricular pathway
    • Register for the remaining NOVA associate degree requirement as indicated in their ADVANCE curricular pathway
    • Submit an application to graduate from NOVA by the deadline (October 1st for Fall graduation, March 1st for Spring graduation, and June 1st for Summer graduation) for the associate degree program indicated in their ADVANCE curricular pathway during the semester of transition
    • Have a completed ADVANCE Study Elsewhere Memo on file with the Assistant Director of ADVANCE Operations


Important Tips to Remember:

  • ADVANCE students are not officially cleared for matriculation and switched to degree-seeking status at Mason until the ADVANCE Team receives notification from NOVA that student has applied for graduation and is on track to graduate per SIS
  • ADVANCE students transitioned do not have to pay an enrollment deposit, but will pay the new student fee in their first semester of Mason, which will be included on their first tuition and fees bill at Mason
  • ADVANCE students are required to attend transfer orientation at Mason and can contact their assigned Success Coach for more information
  • ADVANCE students are required to review PatriotWeb transfer credit evaluation to confirm that all credit has been awarded after NOVA degree conferral
  • ADVANCE students must resolve any holds at NOVA blocking degree conferral and/or any holds (e.g. immunizations) at Mason blocking transition and enrollment
  • ADVANCE students must matriculate in the Fall or Spring semester immediately following degree conferral or they will be withdrawn from ADVANCE and will have their student status deactivated
    • If an ADVANCE student falls into this category, they are still eligible to reapply to Mason as a regular or GAA transfer applicant and may be admitted pending eligibility