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Welcome! This page will direct you to the information you are seeking about Financial Aid for Graduate Programs at Northwest Nazarene University.
How Is Financial Aid Determined?
How is Financial Aid Maintained?
Veterans Administration (V.A.) Assistance
Please contact NNU at: 1-877-NNU-4-YOU or (208) 467-8424 Email: gradfinancialaid(at)nnu.edu
The choice to seek a private college education, Christian or otherwise, is a major financial investment that appreciates over a lifetime more than almost any other. We realize that those who choose a Christian college usually do so because they believe that their choice is as much a spiritual commitment as it is a financial investment. We believe one of our most important roles as a Christian university is to do all we can to make your spiritual and financial commitment to a top-flight Christian education as affordable as possible.
One way we do that is by holding down costs. In the past three years NNU's tuition and fees have increased at a rate consistent with or lower than the inflation rate. We have been cited by both U.S. News and World Reports and Barron's Guide as a "best value" university. We invite you to compare our costs with other Christian universities; you will see our commitment to affordability and quality.
The purpose of financial aid is to bridge the gap between what you and your family can afford and the total cost of your education. Since more than 90 percent of Northwest Nazarene University students receive some sort of financial aid, we encourage every student to apply for financial aid and pursue every possible source.
To be eligible for federal financial aid, there are certain requirements that you must meet. For example, you must:
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
• Be registered with the Selective Service if you are a male over 18 years of age
• Be in a degree-seeking program
• Maintain the standards of satisfactory academic progress
• Not have reached lifetime loan limits as defined by the Federal Loan Program
• Not be in default on a federal educational loan or owe a refund on a federal grant
• Fill out the FAFSA each year for eligibility to be determined (link)
• Meet other specific condition of federal, state, or university regulations
All incoming and transfer students interested in financial aid must complete the NNU Financial Aid Application for Graduate Students. The applicant must be admitted to NNU in order to receive federal financial assistance, however you may apply for aid before being admitted (see FAQ's).
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must also be completed by the student. The FAFSA can be completed on the web at www.fafsa.ed.gov or can be mailed in paper form. Our school code is 001624. Please contact our office if you need a paper copy or indicate on your Graduate Financial Aid Application that you would like a paper copy sent to you.
Financial Aid Timeline (step-by-step)
Financial Aid Timeline (flow chart)
The basis for awarding financial aid is financial need. Financial need is defined as the difference between a family's calculated ability to pay for post-secondary education and the cost of education at NNU. This is demonstrated by the following equation: Cost of Education minus Resources (Family Contribution) equals Need. The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is not necessarily equal to the amount you are expected to pay for your educational costs. As demonstrated by the equation in the lines above, it is used to determine your need and will assist us in determining your aid eligibility.
The family contribution is calculated by submitting financial information through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Financial aid eligibility can be determined only after this application process is completed. Educational costs include tuition, fees, room and board, books, personal expenses and transportation for most programs. If you are enrolled in an online program, then the educational costs would not include transportation expenses if you do not need to come to campus during your studies for your degree.
Graduate students are not eligible for the Pell Grant and the Financial Aid Office currently does not award scholarships or Perkins loans to graduate students. Please check with your Department to see if they offer any scholarships or other assistance to Masters students in your area of study.
Most students take advantage of federal loan programs which are administered through the NNU Financial Aid Office. We share your concern about college debt and are committed to counseling and educating students about the best options available.
Loans place the responsibility of paying for higher education on the student, which may be necessary when other funds are not available. Students should be mindful when applying for loans and carefully consider the option of borrowing now against repaying later when they may be better able to do so. Loans are typically a large part of the average financial aid package; however it is up to the student to decide how much they need to borrow based on their own individual financial situation.
As a graduate student, please remember that the financial aid package is based on one academic year at a time and not on your entire cohort charge (if you are in a cohort based program). The package represents the aid that you are eligible to receive during the current academic year and you can apply for additional aid the following academic year by filling out a renewal FAFSA. An academic year is defined as August-July for Financial Aid purposes at NNU.
There are two Stafford Loan programs available, subsidized and unsubsidized. If you wish to borrow through either of these programs, you must complete the FAFSA each year.
A Subsidized Stafford Loan is a federal loan that must be repaid. It carries a low interest variable rate (not to exceed 8.25%). In the 2007-2008 academic year, the loan has a fixed 6.8% interest rate. Fees of 0-3% are withheld from the borrowed amount by the lender or guaranty agency. However, the student must repay the full loan amount.
“Subsidized” means that the interest on the loan is not paid by the student while they are enrolled in school. In effect, the government pays the interest on this type of loan while the student is in school. No interest or principle payments are required until six months after the student graduates, withdraws from school, or drops below half-time status. Ability to participate in this program is determined by FAFSA results, which calculate your need.
An Unsubsidized Stafford Loan is also a federal loan that must be repaid. This loan carries a variable interest rate (not to exceed 8.25%). In the 2007-2008 academic year, the loan has a fixed 6.8% interest rate. Fees of 0-3% are withheld from the borrowed amount by the lender or guaranty agency. However, the student must repay the full loan amount.
On this type of loan, interest is accruing continuously, including the time during periods of enrollment. You can choose to pay the interest while enrolled or defer it and add it to the principle of your loan, as long as you are attending at least half time. As an independent student, funds from this loan can be borrowed in addition to subsidized loans. Or, if you do not qualify for the entire subsidized limit, students may receive an unsubsidized loan to make up the difference.
Year in School: | Independent Students: | Additional Unsubsidized Amount for Independent Students: |
Graduate | $8,500 | $12,000 |
The cost of your program for one academic year may be less than the amounts shown above. Please be aware that you are only eligible to borrow up to the cost of your budget within an academic year, which may be less than $20,500 (refer to your award letter for the exact amount). The amount you can borrow will vary based on the semesters attending and number of credits you are enrolled in. Your Financial Aid Award Letter will outline the amount you are eligible for in any given academic year.
First time Stafford Loan borrowers, those who borrowed 10+ years ago, and those who have a $0 balance on previous student loans borrowed, are required to complete entrance counseling. Entrance counseling can be completed online at www.nnu.edu/entrance. Please scroll down to the start button on this page to start entrance counseling.
Exit counseling is required for students who have borrowed a Stafford Loan and are leaving NNU due to graduation, withdrawing from their program of study, or dropping to below half-time status. Exit counseling can be completed online at www.nnu.edu/exit. Please scroll down to the start button on this page to start exit counseling.
Please contact the Financial Aid Office to determine your eligibility for alternative or outside loans and for a list of potential lenders.
NNU is currently working on securing funds to offer Perkins loans to graduate students in the near future. However, at the current time this loan is only offered to traditional undergraduate students.
Student Status | Maximum Federal Subsidized Stafford | Maximum Federal Stafford (Subsidized and Unsubsidized) |
Graduate Students: | $65,500 | $135,500 |
Once an individual has reached these maximums, they are NO LONGER ELIGIBLE TO BORROW through this program. Keep these maximums in mind, so that you do no “max out” your eligibility before finishing your education.
Student’s who borrow Stafford loan money must meet satisfactory progress standards to continue to receive Federal Aid.
All students are expected to make reasonable progress toward the completion of a degree to be eligible for federal financial aid. The following standards have been adopted to monitor progress. NNU scholarships and allowances are not included under this statement.
To be eligible for federal financial aid at Northwest Nazarene University a student must be accepted (at least provisionally) into one of the recognized graduate programs at NNU, be in good standing academically (see Additional Limiting Factors #7) and be making reasonable progress toward the completion of a degree.
All students will be reviewed after the completion of each semester (See Additional Limiting Factors #4).
All graduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher by the end of their second semester of full-time attendance to continue receiving financial aid. After the end of their second full-time semester, graduate students must continue to maintain a 3.0 throughout their program. Graduate programs at NNU require at least a 3.0 GPA for graduation.
In addition, satisfactory progress for each semester is based on the completion of no less than the number of credits for which the student was funded in that semester. Satisfactory progress for the academic year is based on completion of the number of credits for which the student was funded for all three semesters. (Incompletes do not count as credits completed toward meeting this requirement.)
Verification of enrollment in the required number of credits is made before funds are credited to the student’s account.
1. Funding for students in a graduate degree program will cease after the equivalent of one and a half times the length of their program. After this a written appeal must be submitted for the student to receive further aid. For example, funding would cease after the sixth semester of full-time attendance for someone attending a program that is intended to be four semesters in length.
2. Transfer and readmit students must meet the NNU satisfactory progress requirements before they can receive aid.
3. Courses in which a student receives an "incomplete" will count in the totals for credits attempted but will not count as credits completed.
4. Students who withdraw from NNU during a semester and have received federal financial aid shall be reviewed for satisfactory academic progress at the time of withdrawal.
5. Students may receive financial aid to repeat a course one time without appealing. Students may receive financial aid for more than one repetition with the approval of the Financial Aid Office or Financial Aid Committee and then only in unusual circumstances. 6. Financial aid will be available for prerequisite courses to make up academic deficiencies provided the courses count as electives and are documented as a course needed for the degree.
7. Students who are placed on academic probation or admitted provisionally because of GPA shall be reviewed after one semester of aid.
Students may appeal the loss of aid by submitting a written petition form, which is available in the Financial Aid Office. Petitions are reviewed by the Financial Aid Office; some appeals may require review by the Financial Aid Committee.
Graduate Standards of Academic Progress
Northwest Nazarene University is listed with the U.S. Government as a recognized graduate school for the training of veterans. All prospective students eligible for V.A. assistance should contact the Registrar for V.A.-approved program information and follow procedures required by the Veterans Administration. To receive V.A. assistance, the student must continue as an enrolled student throughout the semester. Those receiving V.A. assistance must meet the minimum academic standards of the university for enrollment and progress toward degree completion.
If you are seeking information about Army or Air Force Tuition Assistance, please contact the Business Office.
All outside assistance should be reported to the Financial Aid Office.
Q. I probably don’t qualify for aid, should I apply?
A. YES! Many families mistakenly think they don’t qualify and don’t apply, thus missing out on financial aid that they could have received. In addition, there are some sources of aid, such as unsubsidized Stafford Loans that are available regardless of need. The FAFSA is free, why not apply?
Q. Do I need to be admitted before I can apply for financial aid at NNU?
A. No. You can apply for financial aid by filling out a FAFSA any time after January 1st. However, to receive an award letter you also need to complete a Financial Aid Application for Graduate Students and to receive funds, you must be admitted and enrolled at NNU.
Q. Do I need to file federal income tax returns before completing the FAFSA?
A. If the federal income tax returns are completed, it will be easier to answer the questions on the FAFSA; however, you may complete the FAFSA from estimated tax information if necessary. This is advisable when you wish to get your FAFSA information mailed or sent via the web to the federal processor to determine your aid eligibility and plan for the year ahead. However, since we do not have a deadline for filing the FAFSA for graduate students, you can wait to file until after your tax returns are completed.
Q. How do I apply for financial aid?
A. For Federal, State, and Institutional aid you will need to:
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA can be completed on the web at www.fafsa.ed.gov or via the paper form. Our Title IV school code is 001624.
• Complete the NNU Application for Financial Aid and return it to the Financial Aid Office or submit it online.
Q. How do I apply for the Stafford Loan?
A. You must complete a separate loan application which you will receive with your award letter from NNU. Refer back to the question on being admitted, you must apply for aid (by completing a FAFSA and a Graduate Financial Aid Application) in order to receive the award letter and documentation needed to apply for the Stafford Loan.
Q. What is verification?
A. About 35 percent of all FAFSA records are selected for verification. If you are selected, the Financial Aid Office will send you a worksheet to complete and request that you also send copies of your 1040 and W-2s for all parties you included in your income information on the FAFSA. The Financial Aid Office completes the verification process by comparing the figures on the tax documents with what you reported on the FAFSA and makes corrections or updates where necessary. If you have already received an award before verification is complete, a revised award may be sent.
Q. What can I expect?
A. Within a couple of weeks from the time you mailed the FAFSA or within 3-5 business days of submitting it via the web to the federal processor, you may be issued and/or can view a Student Aid Report (SAR) online. If you note any corrections which need to be made, please submit a signed copy of your SAR, with the corrections, to the NNU Financial Aid Office or make corrections on the web at www.fafsa.ed.gov. If you submit your corrections to the Financial Aid Office, NNU will electronically submit your corrected information to the federal processor. When complete results of your FAFSA have been received, NNU will develop a Financial Aid Package for you. The package is based on the information you have provided on your FAFSA and your Financial Aid Application.
Q. Do I need to reapply for financial aid every year?
A. Yes. After your first year, you will receive your pin # as a reminder to fill out another FAFSA. You can access a “Renewal FAFSA Application” online, which contains preprinted information from the previous year’s FAFSA. If your financial circumstances change, you may get more or less aid than the previous year. Also, if your family size or number of family members in college changes, this may also change your eligibility. Continuation of financial aid also depends on making satisfactory academic progress toward a degree, such as earning a minimum number of credits and achieving a specific GPA every semester.
Q. The Financial Aid Office said my loan had been disbursed. Where do I pick it up?
A. All financial aid funds are disbursed through the Business Office. If you are on campus, you can go directly to the Business Office in the Emerson Administration Building to request your funds. If you cannot come in person, you can request funds from the Business Office with a Check Request Form over the phone or via e-mail. Funds need to be requested on Tuesday for the checks to be sent out on Friday.
Q. Why can’t I pick up my check in the Financial Aid Office?
A. Federal Regulations require schools to separate the functions of authorizing payment and delivering funds. This ensures that no one person or office is exercising both functions. The Financial Aid Office authorizes your eligibility for funds; therefore, they cannot disburse those funds to you by law.
Q. My company is paying part of my expenses, should I report it to the financial aid office?
A. Yes. If you are receiving funds from an outside source, you must report this to the financial aid office. These funds are a resource to help you with your educational costs and will be treated as such.
Q. Where can I get more information about federal student financial aid?
A. You can call 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or 1-800-730-8913 (for hearing impaired) and ask for a free copy of “The Student Guide: Financial Aid from the US Department of Education”. You can also write to the Federal Student Aid Information Center at: P.O. Box 84, Washington, DC, 20044.
Financial Aid Timeline (step-by-step)
Financial Aid Timeline (flow chart)
Graduate Financial Aid Application
Graduate Financial Aid Application (Submit Online)
Verification Worksheet 2006-2007
Verification Worksheet 2007-2008
Stafford Loan Application 2006-2007
Stafford Loan Application 2007-2008
Graduate Alternative Loan Brochure
Special Circumstance Form 2006-2007
Special Circumstance Form 2007-2008
Graduate Standards of Academic Progress
If you have prior student loans that need to be deferred, please be aware that the Registrar's Office confirms student enrollment 10 days into the semester and several times throughout the semester for graduate students. If you are still receiving student loan bills that do not reflect an in-school deferment status, you may contact the Registrar's Office via the school's website, or by calling 208-467-8433, or you can access this link for a Student Enrollment Verification.
For Federal Stafford Loan Programs, loan repayment begins six months after you graduate, withdraw, or drop below half-time status for the loans you have borrowed while attending NNU. The exact schedule and amount of your repayment will not be known until your loan repayment begins. Check with your lender or guarantor, often times their home web pages will include loan repayment calculators to aid you in estimating your monthly payment.
If you had student loans prior to attending NNU, please be aware that you may have already used your 6 month grace period for those loans. As soon as you graduate, withdraw, or drop below half-time status and even possibly with half-time status if you do not have a new loan for that year, you can enter repayment on those prior loans immediately.
For loan deferment options, it is best to contact your lender. Please also contact your lender regarding consolidation. If you are unsure who your lender is, please contact the Financial Aid Office. You can also find further consolidation information at www.mapping-your-future.org/paying/cnsldte.htm or at www.nela.net, click on “About Student Loans” and then “Loan Consolidation”. You can access a listing of your loan borrowing history by using your FAFSA pin # on the National Student Loan Database at www.nslds.ed.gov.