FINANCIAL AID


We welcome students from all corners of the world with various economic backgrounds. NAU strives to increase the accessibility of the University’s educational programs to all qualified students. We are committed to helping students and their families access various sources of financial aid to provide a comprehensive financial aid package to all eligible students throughout their course of study.

Net Price calculator

The Stallion Calculator is a tool designed to help you estimate the direct costs of attending NAU, including tuition, fees, food, and housing. Please note that the calculator only provides estimates based on the information you enter, and actual charges may vary. It does not include indirect costs such as books, transportation, personal expenses, or loan fees, which are not billed by NAU. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the NAU Tuition & Fees page.

 

Stallion Calculator

ON THIS PAGE

SCHOLARSHIPS
GRANTS
LOANS
WORK STUDY

NAU offers the following types of aid:

Scholarships

Federal Grants

Student Loans

Federal Work Study

Military & Veteran’s Benefits

Scholarships

University scholarships are available to eligible undergraduate students. For more information on the eligibility requirements and criteria for annual renewal, visit NAU Scholarships.

Federal Grants

Grants are financial assistance awarded to eligible students demonstrating financial need. This type of financial aid does not require repayment. Complete the FAFSA to be considered for federal grant eligibility each academic year.

Federal Pell Grant

A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree that demonstrate exceptional financial need. Pell Grants are awarded to students who are eligible based on the results of the FAFSA and their Student Aid Index (SAI). The amount awarded will depend on the student’s enrollment intensity, which refers to the percentage of full-time enrollment at which a student is enrolled, rounded to the nearest whole percent.

For example,

  • Enrollment Intensity = (Enrolled Credit Hours) / (Full-Time Credit Hours) × 100%
  • Enrollment Intensity = (7) / (12) × 100% = 58% (rounded to the nearest whole percent).

Beginning with the 2024-25 award year, a student may qualify for a Pell Grant in one of three ways:

  • Maximum Pell Grant (Max Pell)
  • Minimum Pell Grant (Min Pell)
  • Calculated Pell Grant, based on SAI (Calculated Pell = Max Pell minus SAI)

The Pell Grant recalculation date (PRD) is a date in the semester when the Financial Aid Office is required to evaluate your Federal Pell Grant eligibility based on your current enrollment status. If the Pell Grant you were awarded does not match your current enrollment status, your award will be adjusted. NAU uses the semester Census Date as the Pell Grant recalculation date. Pell Grant recalculation will occur if there are any changes in enrollment prior to the census date. The award amount may be reduced or increased, as applicable. Any classes added after the Pell Recalculation Date will not count towards your Federal Pell Grant eligibility, regardless of the start date for the class. Failure to begin attendance in any course will result in a mandatory recalculation of Pell Grant eligibility.

Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is a federal grant to assist undergraduate students with exceptional financial needs, as determined by the FAFSA. Funding is limited. Pell Grant recipients with the greatest need (Student Aid Index (SAI) = -1500) will be given priority. Students must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits) to be considered. Award amounts may vary based on available funding and enrollment status.

Student Loans

Student loans are borrowed funds that must be repaid with interest. NAU offers the Federal Direct Stafford Loan to eligible students. There are many flexible repayment plans available. The amount that students are eligible for varies. Additionally, parents of dependent students may also be eligible to request a Direct Parent PLUS Loan to meet the cost of attendance. Eligible students must maintain half-time enrollment to qualify for disbursement.

If further assistance is needed or if a student is ineligible or has exhausted all federal aid, there may be other loan options available to help meet educational expenses. Private student loans are available through private lending institutions. The loan terms, interest rates and fees will vary by lender. NAU encourages students to evaluate their budget and resources each semester and only borrow the amount of loans needed.

Federal Direct Loans

The Federal Direct Subsidized Loan is available to undergraduate students who demonstrate need, as determined by the FAFSA. The interest accrued on these loans is paid for by the government while the student is at least half-time enrolled. There are time limits designating how long a student can receive a subsidized loan. Find out more about these time limits. The maximum an undergraduate can be offered in a subsidized loan in a year range from $3,500 to $5,500 based on the student’s class level.

The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is available to all undergraduate students who have filed a FAFSA. Interest accrues on these loans while the student is in school.

Federal Direct PLUS loans are for graduate/professional students and parents of dependent undergraduate students. Borrowers can use PLUS loans to help meet the cost of attendance.

While we understand that you may not be prepared to accept a loan immediately after it has been offered and may need further time to plan, it is important to be mindful of all loan deadlines. Generally, a federal student loan will be available throughout the academic year during which is was offered.

Requests for Federal Direct Subsidized Loans, Unsubsidized Loans, and Parent PLUS Loans will be processed throughout the semester of enrollment on a rolling basis. However, in order to guarantee the disbursement of your loan, all requests — including entrance counseling and master promissory notes(MPN) for first-time borrowers — must be received by our final deadlines. We recommend allowing a minimum of 2 weeks from the date of loan acceptance for disbursement to occur. Requests received after the final deadlines cannot be guaranteed.

All necessary documents, including verification documents, entrance counseling, Master Promissory Note (MPN), and loan acceptance, must be received by the second to last week before the semester ends.

Requirements

In addition to completing a FAFSA, federal student loan borrowers are required to complete the following:

Entrance Counseling Entrance counseling ensures you understand the terms and conditions of your loan and your rights and responsibilities. You’ll learn what a loan is, how interest works, your options for repayment, and how to avoid delinquency and default. Click here to access the Federal Direct Loan Entrance Counseling Guide.
Master Promissory Note The Master Promissory Note (MPN) is a legal document in which you promise to repay your loans(s) and any accrued interest and fees to the U.S. Department of Education. The MPN also explains the terms and conditions of your loan(s).
Exit Counseling Exit Counseling is required for Federal Direct Loan borrowers when a student leaves or graduates from NAU or is no longer enrolled at least half-time. Click here to access the Federal Direct Loan Exit Counseling Guide.

Private Loans

A private student loan is a non-federal education loan borrowed from a private lender such as a bank, credit union, or other financial institution and should be a student’s last option for educational assistance. Only students who need additional funds beyond what they qualify for in federal and non-federal student aid should consider applying for a private education loan.  If you are considering student loans offered by private lenders such as banks or credit unions, please first:

  • Exhaust All Options – Before considering student loans from private lenders, make sure you’ve explored all other potential sources of financial aid, including federal loans.
  • Contact Your Personal Bank or Credit Union – Reach out to your personal bank, credit union, or other private lending institutions to inquire about private education loans they offer.
  • Evaluate Your Expenses – Take a close look at your expenses and find ways to reduce them before determining how much you need to borrow.
  • Borrow Conservatively – Only borrow what is necessary for your education expenses.
  • Compare Rates and Terms – Ask questions and compare interest rates and terms offered by different lenders to make an informed decision.
  • Direct Application – Apply directly through the lender of your choice.
  • Lender Certification – If your selected lender approves your private education loan application, they will submit a certification to the Financial Aid department for confirmation.

Consider the general pros and cons with your family thoroughly before applying. Remember, there are crucial differences between federal and private student loans:

  • Interest Rates – Interest rates for private student loans are usually higher than those for federal student loans and are generally not fixed.
  • Loan Fees – Private lenders may charge additional fees such as origination fees, monthly service charges, or late fees.
  • Eligibility – In general, private student loans have stricter eligibility requirements. Lenders may require a good credit score and a co-signer. Your selected lender determines their loan application eligibility criteria. Note: If you are an international student, you will be required to have a credit-worthy United States citizen as a co-signer to obtain a private education loan.
  • Loan Amounts – The maximum amount you can apply for is your cost of attendance minus any other financial aid you are receiving or your lender’s required Enrollment Status.
  • Repayment Plans – Private lenders may not offer repayment plans that are as flexible as those offered for federal student loans, such as income-based or extended payment plans.
  • Other Differences – Visit Federal Student Aid on the Web for more information on federal versus private loans.

Private education loans are subject to credit approval and may be denied. To increase your chances of getting approved for a private loan, consider having a creditworthy person cosign for the loan.

Private Loan Self Certification Form

Before disbursement of any private education loan can occur, a Private Loan Self-Certification Form must be completed. This form is part of the application process you complete through your lender.

Work Study

Federal Work Study (FWS) is a federally subsidized financial aid program that provides part-time jobs for eligible undergraduate and graduate students with demonstrated financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay for educational expenses. Please see the attached flyer for important information regarding the Federal Work Study student worker hiring process.

To be eligible for FWS employment, a student must:

  1. Have a valid FAFSA on file for the current academic year
  2. Demonstrate financial need
  3. Maintain at least half-time enrollment (6 credit hours)
  4. Meet satisfactory academic progress (SAP) requirements
  5. Complete all required financial aid documentation

FWS funding is limited. Therefore, priority consideration will be given to students who complete the FAFSA by the priority deadline and meet all eligibility criteria.

Eligible students are automatically awarded FWS until available funds are exhausted. The FWS award amount depends on availability of funds and the student’s financial need. The FWS award cannot exceed a student’s financial need. Student employees may not earn more than the dollar amount of their award. Any portion of the award that remains unearned at the end of the academic year will be forfeited.

Available positions are posted on NAU Student Jobs. Students must apply to the hiring office following the procedures posted online. Receipt of federal work-study does not guarantee employment. Hiring is at the discretion of the hiring office and NAU administration.

All FWS students are paid at least the federal minimum wage. FWS is not deducted from your University invoice or bill. Instead, students are issued a paycheck bi-weekly for work hours as documented on your timecard.

CONTACT US

OFFICE OF FINANCIAL AID

Email: financialaid@na.edu

Financial Aid Coordinator
Roberto A. Hernandez
(832) 464-8692

Financial Aid Advisor
Katherine Lopez
Student Last Name: A-L
(832) 230-5089

Financial Aid Advisor
Bethany Minchew
Student Last Name: M-Z
(832) 937-5052