Welcome!  This page will direct you to the information you are seeking about Financial Aid for the Undergraduate ACE and STEP programs at Northwest Nazarene University.

• Financial Aid for Accelerated Degrees
• Further Questions?
• Financing Your Education
• The Application Process
• How is Financial Aid Determined?
• Loan Information
• How is Financial Aid Maintained?
• Veterans Administration (V.A.) Assistance
• FAQ
• Summary
• Forms
• In-School Deferment
• What About Repayment?

Please contact NNU at: 1-877-NNU-4-YOU or (208) 467-8424 Email: adfinancialaid(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 or certificate (12+ months in length) 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
• Meet other specific conditions of federal, state, or university regulations

All incoming and transfer students interested in financial aid must complete the Accelerated Degree Financial Aid Application. The applicant must be admitted to NNU in order to receive federal financial assistance, however, you can apply for financial 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 http://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 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. This 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. 

Educational costs include tuition, fees, room and board, books, personal expenses and transportation. 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.

Most students take advantage of various 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. To continue to receive Federal Aid, satisfactory progress must be met. 

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. 

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, dependent and independent students may receive an unsubsidized loan to make up the difference.

Federal Stafford Loan Limits By Year

Year in School:	Dependent Students:	Independent Students:	Additional Unsubsidized Amount for Independent Students:
Freshman	$3,500	$3,500	$6,000
Sophomore	$4,500	$4,500	$6,000
Junior	$5,500	$5,500	$7,000
Senior	$5,500	$5,500	$7,000
Graduate	N/A	$8,500	$12,000

You are an independent student if at least one of the following applies to you: 

• You are 24 years of age as of January 1st in the academic year for which you are applying. (Example: if you were applying for the 2006-07 school year, you would need to be born before January 1, 1983 to be considered 24 years of age).
• You are married as of the day you apply for the FAFSA (or separated, but not divorced).
• You are or will be enrolled in a master’s or doctorate program (a program beyond a bachelor’s degree, but not a certificate only program) at the beginning of the academic school year.
• You have children that receive more than half of their support from you.
• You have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half their support from you and will continue to receive more than half their support from you through June 30th of the end of the academic year in which you are applying. (Example: For the 2006-2007 academic year, they would need to receive support through June 30th, 2007).
• You are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.
• You are a ward/dependent of the court.

First time Stafford Loan borrowers, those who borrowed 10+ years ago, and those who no longer have a balance on previous student loans borrowed, are required to complete entrance counseling. Entrance counseling can be completed online at http://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 http://www.nnu.edu/exit.   Please scroll down to the start button on this page to complete exit counseling. 

Outside Loans

Please contact the Financial Aid Office to determine your eligibility for outside loans and for a list of potential lenders.

Federal Pell Grant

All undergraduate students are urged to apply for the Pell Grant. Eligibility is determined by filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The U.S. Department of Education may mail the student a Student Aid Report (SAR) approximately 3 to 4 weeks after filing, otherwise the student can check their SAR online with their FAFSA pin# at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The comments on your SAR will tell you if you are eligible for the Pell Grant.

Borrowing Limits

The maximum amount you can borrow is determined by whether you are a dependent or independent student. Lifetime limits are as follows:

Student Status	Maximum Federal Subsidized Stafford	Maximum Federal Stafford (Subsidized and Unsubsidized)
Dependent Students:	$23,000	$23,000
Independent Students:	$23,000	$46,000

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. 

Undergraduate Standard of Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid

All students are expected to make reasonable progress toward the completion of a degree or certificate 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 matriculated, be in good standing academically (see Additional Limiting Factors #7) and be making reasonable progress toward the completion of an degree or certificate program.

All students will be reviewed after the completion of each semester (See Additional Limiting Factors #4).

A. GRADE POINT REQUIREMENTS

All undergraduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 1.75 while classified as a freshman and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 for sophomore or above. Check with the STEP or ACE program regarding GPA requirements for graduation.

B. ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS

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. Satisfactory progress for the academic year is based on completion (within the academic year) of the number of credits for which the student was funded.

You are considered a full-time student if you complete 12 or more credits each semester.  A 3/4-time student is one who completes 9-11 credits each semester and a 1/2-time student must complete 6-8 credits each semester.

Pell grants are awarded and pro-rated based upon your enrollment status of full-time, 3/4-time , 1/2 time or less. Incompletes do not count as credits completed toward meeting this requirement (see Additional Limiting Factors #3).

Verification of enrollment in the required number of credits is made before funds are credited to the student’s account each semester.

C. ADDITIONAL LIMITING FACTORS

1. Funding for B.A./B.S. candidates will cease with the year in which the student earns the 186th credit.  
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. You can only receive funding for an "incomplete" in the semester you began the course and not in subsequent smesters to which the course carries over for completion.
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 remedial courses to make up academic deficiencies provided the courses count as electives. 
7. Students who are placed on academic probation or admitted provisionally shall be reviewed after one semester of aid.

D. APPEAL PROCEDURES FOR LOSS OF FEDERAL 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.
If you have additional questions, please refer to NNU's Standards of Academic Progress for Accelerated Degree students or contact our office.

Northwest Nazarene University is listed with the U.S. Government as a recognized undergraduate 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 an Accelerated Degree Financial Aid Application 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.   

Q. How do I apply for financial aid?
A. For Federal 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 Federal Stafford Loan Application which you will receive along with your award letter from NNU. Refer back to the question on being admitted. You must apply for aid in order to receive the award letter by submitting the documentation needed to apply for the Stafford Loan (the FAFSA and the NNU Financial Aid Application).

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 tax return 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. I do not meet the independent student requirements and my parents aren't planning on helping me financially. How can I file without using their income information?
A. You must continue to use your parent's income information as long as you don't meet the criteria for filing as an independent. Please refer to the paragraph that appears under Financing your Education for the list of qualifications to file as an independent student.

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 should 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 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 or can submit online a “Renewal FAFSA Application,” which contains preprinted/prefilled 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 as outlined in the Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards.

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 via a Check Request Form or via a phone call to the Business Office at 208-467-8010.  Funds need to be requested on Tuesday for the checks to be cut on Thursday and 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.

• Apply for financial aid early. Check deadline dates and make sure that all necessary information is provided before those dates.
• Submit all documents required for admission and financial aid to NNU. 
• Do not assume that your family's income level will disqualify you for financial aid. Various financial circumstances are taken into consideration, making it possible for families representing a wide range of income levels to quality.
• Complete application forms carefully. Do not leave anything blank. 
• Keep copies of all forms and other materials you submit. 
• Respond quickly to all requests for information related to the application process. When you receive an award letter from NNU describing your financial aid package, let us know immediately whether or not you plan to accept the award. 
• Maintain the scholastic eligibility requirements that allow you to continue receiving financial assistance.

Accelerated Degree Program Financial Aid Application

Accelerated Degree Program Financial Aid Application (Submit Online)

Acclerated Degree Financial Aid Process

Financial Aid (step-by-step)

Financial Aid (flowchart)

2008-2009 Stafford Loan Application

2008-2009 Special Circumstance Form

Standard of Academic Progress

Alternative Loan Brochure

If you have prior student loans that need to be deferred, please be aware that the Registrar's Office confirms enrollment of student's 10 days into the semester and several times throughout the semester.  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 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.