John Porter If you drive a car, you have probably needed a jumpstart at least once in your life – the battery is low, and the “jump” gets the car going and on the road again. In 2020, with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Northern Virginia Community College saw a need and decided to provide a similar jumpstart for high school seniors wishing to continue their education. Launched in response to the pandemic’s impact on educational opportunities, the Nova JumpStart program was first offered during the summer session of 2020. With funding from the federal government through the CARES Act, 2,600 high school graduates were provided the opportunity to take two courses, tuition-free, through Northern Virginia Community College’s online learning platform. With the pandemic causing major changes and even cancellations of course offerings, the community college felt this to be a positive way to provide the opportunity for those most seriously impacted by the side effects of the pandemic.