Financial Aid Basics
How do I apply for financial aid?
Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at . Enter 003783 as the school code to make sure it gets sent to us! This form provides us with important information about your financial status and allows us to create a financial aid offer for you.
What is the average amount of financial aid available through the FAFSA?
$20,500 in Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available per academic year for most graduate programs. However, select programs are eligible for a higher amount. Please contact us to learn more.
Will I need to make payments towards my other federal student loans while I am enrolled in a graduate program?
Federal student loan payments, including those from your undergraduate degree, will not be due for payment as long as you remain enrolled at least half-time in your graduate program. Six months after you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time, your loans will go into repayment. Make sure you know who your loan servicer is. You can find this by going to the dashboard on your account on .
What other financial aid options are available?
Besides the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, there are additional options for graduate-level student aid. FAFSA-eligible students can apply for the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan through the site. Students who are ineligible for the FAFSA can apply for alternative loans through private lenders. Additionally, students can look for outside scholarships online or through outside organizations. Some students may also have tuition assistance benefits through their employer. Contact your Student Financial Services Advisor to learn more about what you might qualify for.
Whom do I contact if I want an update on my financial aid status and next steps?
The financial aid review process may take a few weeks after your FAFSA or other forms are submitted. However, for any general questions about your aid and the aid process, email us at studentfinancialservices@northwestu.edu or call 425-889-5210.
Whom do I contact about Veterans Education benefits?
To learn more about veteran education benefits please contact veterans@northwestu.edu.
Whom do I contact about International Student financial aid?
If you are not eligible to complete a FAFSA, please contact your program coordinator. If you need assistance in determining who your program coordinator is, please email international@northwestu.edu or call 425-889-5764.
Frequently Asked Question
Do I need to make payments on my student loans from my undergraduate degree while also paying for my graduate degree?
As long as you are enrolled at least half-time at a Title IV eligible institution like NU, your federal student loans will go into deferment. This means you won’t need to make payments and your credit will not be negatively affected. Interest will accrue on unsubsidized funds (see your for more information). Please note that privately held loans may still have payments due. If you drop below half-time, leave school, or graduate, payment will resume within six months.
When do I need to pay for courses?
Tuition is charged per semester. Due dates are listed online here: www.northwestu.edu/financial-aid/deadlines.
Are Payment Plans Available?
We offer payment plans through Nelnet Campus Commerce that range from 3 to 4 monthly payments for all semesters. There is a $75 enrollment fee and enrollment deadlines for each semester plan. Please note that international students are not eligible for payment plans at this time. Email studentfinancialservices@northwestu.edu for more information.
If I drop or withdraw from a class, will I owe anything?
If you drop a class before the end of add/drop week (seven days after the first day of class), then you will not owe tuition for that course. However, your aid will be adjusted to reflect the number of credits for which you remain enrolled. If you drop a class after the add/drop deadline, it is considered a withdrawal. You will get a W on your official transcript and will owe the entire cost of that course without earning any credit. In either a withdrawal or drop situation, you could possibly owe or receive a refund depending on the timing and aid received. Please reach out to your Student Financial Aid Counselor to discuss the possible impact this could have on you financially before you decide to add, drop or withdraw from a course.
What steps should I take if my financial aid doesn鈥檛 cover my tuition and fees?
Depending on your current situation, there may be payment plans and alternative loans that can be applied for through federal or third-party servicers if your financial aid does not cover your tuition and fees. Please contact your Student Financial Services Counselor for more information.
When will my financial aid be applied towards my student account?
Financial aid will be disbursed 7–10 days prior to the start of each term for students who have completed the financial aid process. To have your aid applied towards your student account, you must sign your Financial Aid Terms and Conditions and be enrolled (and complete your Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling if you are borrowing federal student loans). Student Financial Services will notify you of any additional documentation needed via your NU email.
What does it mean if I have a negative balance on my cost estimate or in my student account?
If there is a negative number on your estimate or student account, you could expect to receive a refund once your financial aid is processed and as long as you remain eligible. To set up a refund method, log into the Eagle website click on My Profile/Manage Refund.
When will I receive my refund?
If you are eligible to receive a refund, you should expect to receive the refund approximately two weeks after the start of each semester if the financial aid process is complete. The fastest method to receive a refund is direct deposit. To select direct deposit, sign your Financial Aid Terms and Conditions and create an account on Nelnet via the Eagle website by selecting Manage Refunds from your Profile.
Can I decrease or decline my financial aid?
If you wish to decrease or decline any of your financial aid, please email studentfinancialservices@northwestu.edu with your request as soon as possible. Example: “Please decrease my unsubsidized loan from $2000 to $1000.”
What is my Student ID?
You will receive a student ID number when accepted into your program. It is sent to the email address you provided on your application for admission. Your Student ID will be asked for every time you call your Student Financial Services Counselor to confirm our office is speaking to the appropriate student. If you have already been accepted to NU but have not received your student ID number, please contact your 爆料公社 Counselor for help.
Can my parent/guardian, spouse, or any other person talk to Student Financial Services for me about my account or my Financial Aid?
We cannot give out your account or financial aid information to anyone unless you add them as a delegate to your My Profile page on the Eagle website.