Navigating Financial Aid Options at National University

Paying for college can be a daunting task, but National University (NU) is committed to helping students bridge the gap between educational expenses and available financial resources. As the largest private nonprofit university in San Diego, NU's mission is to provide accessible and achievable higher education to adult learners. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the financial aid options available to students at National University, including grants, loans, scholarships, and resources for military-affiliated students.

Understanding the Cost of Attendance

Before exploring financial aid options, it's essential to understand the cost of attendance. The "Cost of Attendance" is the total amount of money the average student has to pay, without any financial aid, to attend a particular school. This figure includes both direct expenses like tuition, fees, books, course materials, and equipment, as well as indirect expenses such as housing, utilities, food, transportation, and personal expenses. Cost of attendance is a figure used by our Financial Aid Office to help determine your award eligibility.

Program preference, prior learning, military service and affiliation, and scholarship eligibility can affect expenses and funding resources. National University offers tuition discounts via partnerships with various employers. Some programs, like those in Nursing or Clinical Psychology, may have specialized pricing.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

The first and most important step in accessing financial aid at National University is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). As an NU student, you may be eligible for financial aid, including grants, loans, and scholarships, to help defer or delay tuition costs and related expenses. This application establishes your eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid programs. The FAFSA must be completed each fiscal year that you request financial aid at National University. There are no age limits for federal financial aid.

When you submit the FAFSA, it calculates a number called the Student Aid Index (SAI), which schools use to determine your financial aid package. The SAI formula assesses the total financial resources you (and your spouse, if applicable) have available, then deducts the minimum amount required to cover your family’s basic annual living expenses. The SAI number ranges from -1500 to 999999.

To be eligible for FSA funds, a student must meet specific criteria. The University ensures that eligibility requirements are met before awarding aid. Transfer coursework is used to establish grade level for loan eligibility.

Visit fafsa.ed.gov to fill out the FAFSA application for federal student aid, including federal student loans. If you apply online, you can expect a response in a week or less.

Types of Financial Aid

Financial aid can come in several forms and from many sources. Understanding the basics of financial aid will help you make smart choices about how to fund your education and where to look for extra help. At National University, assistance may include scholarships, grants, and loans.

Grants

Grants are essentially free money awarded to students based on financial need and do not need to be repaid. Typically, grants come from the government, your college, or a nonprofit organization. Grants are a great way to fund your education because, unlike loans, most do not have to be paid back. Generally speaking, you must demonstrate financial need for a majority of the federal student aid programs.

Federal Pell Grant: Awarded based on financial need and is available to students pursuing their first undergraduate degree. Award amounts change yearly, and according to StudentAid.gov, the maximum Federal Pell grant award for 2025-26 is $7,395.

Read also: Eligibility for National Awards

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): Allocated for undergraduate students in exceptional financial need. The FSEOG prioritizes students with an SAI score of zero or below.

State Grants: Many states and colleges offer their own grants and scholarships, with some specifically designed for adult learners. State grants are usually awarded based on financial need, residency, or academic performance. Many state-specific grants have programs geared towards adult learners returning to school, especially for in-demand fields, such as healthcare, education, or the trades.

Institutional Grants: Institutional grants come directly from colleges and universities and are based on financial need, merit, or your planned study program.

Scholarships

Scholarships are usually awarded based on merit or other specific requirements, including minority status, athletic ability, or academic achievements. Scholarships are usually awarded based on merit or other specific requirements. Sometimes those requirements may be based on minority status, athletic ability, or may even be awarded to students that win academic competitions. You can learn about scholarships in many ways, starting with contacting the admissions office at the school you plan to attend.

Scholarships don’t need to be repaid and can significantly reduce the financial burden of going back to school. These are powerful options that reduce out-of-pocket costs and help you avoid student loans. One example is the Adult Students in Scholastic Transition (ASIST) Scholarship offered by Executive Women International. Sites like scholarship.com offer updated information on available scholarships for adult learners. Many scholarships go unclaimed simply because people assume they won’t qualify.

National University offers several scholarships, including:

Military Tuition Scholarship: A scholarship of up to $2,500 is available to military personnel, including active duty, reservists, National Guard members, their spouses, and their dependents.
Veterans Victory Scholarship: A scholarship of up to $5,000 is awarded to Veterans based on academic or community achievement and financial need.
Veterans, Spouses, and Dependents Scholarships: This scholarship is a 25% tuition reduction toward associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees for Veterans and their family members who are not using, or do not have access to the Post-9/11 GI Bill® or Fry Scholarship.

Loans

Loans differ from grants and scholarships in that they must be paid back with interest. Loans come in all sizes and varieties and differ from grants and scholarships in that they must be paid back.

Federal Student Loans: There are two main types of federal student loans for adult learners, subsidized and unsubsidized, and the difference matters. Federal student loans are a great place to start since the interest rate is fixed and is often lower than private loans and most credit card interest rates. You will not need to get a credit check for most federal student loans (except for PLUS loans), and federal student loans can help you establish a good credit record.

Direct Subsidized Loans: Need-based loans available to undergraduate students.
Direct Unsubsidized Loans: Loans available to undergraduate and graduate students with no requirement to demonstrate financial need.

Federal student loans are a legal obligation and must be paid back in full, plus interest. Know your repayment options. If you are having trouble repaying your loan, you may be able to temporarily defer or lower your payments while you are continuing your education.

Private Student Loans: Private student loans are offered by banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Despite these drawbacks, private loans can be useful if you’ve maxed out your federal aid or don’t qualify for need-based funding.

Work-Study Programs

The work-study program provides part-time jobs for students in financial need, allowing them to earn earmarked money to help pay their education expenses. These positions are typically part-time and can be on-campus or with approved off-campus employers.

Financial Aid for Military-Affiliated Students

Military-affiliated students have more funding options available than most students. Most funding is dependent on your current military status and specifics of your service.

Armed Forces Active Duty Tuition Assistance (TA) Programs: These programs are intended for active enlisted military personnel who wish to further their education during off-duty hours. Anyone who is still on active duty, in any branch of the armed forces, is automatically eligible for Tuition Assistance from the federal government (please consult with your education office). Active-duty servicemembers in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard can apply for Tuition Assistance by contacting their command Education Officer and completing their WebTA course (this may be different depending on branch of service). Since Military TA is paid to the school directly, it does not count as an income for the student.

Post-9/11 GI Bill®: A wide-ranging educational provision for active-duty military based largely on your length of military service. Depending on your situation, it may cover tuition and fees, a monthly housing allowance, and a stipend for textbooks and supplies.

Montgomery GI Bill®: Serves members of our armed forces who completed a minimum of two years of active service during the 1990s, up through the passage of the Post-9/11 GI Bill® in September 2001.

Military spouses receive the same discount as active-duty servicemembers at NU.

Maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress

Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress in their selected course of study to receive federal aid. One aspect of academic progress is the student’s overall grade point average. Students must maintain a grade point average of 2.0 for all National University undergraduate coursework and a 3.0 for all graduate coursework attempted to meet the requirements for graduation. Students who fall below these required minimums will be placed on Financial Aid Warning. Students may continue to receive financial aid during this warning period, assuming all other satisfactory requirements are met. Students who do not meet the academic requirements after the warning period will have their financial aid suspended.

A student’s enrollment status is determined based on their course schedule. Students (undergraduates and graduates) who receive an “F” grade and graduate students who receive a “D” grade will not receive financial aid for those courses. If financial aid was paid for a course before the grade was posted, the student must, at his or her own expense, pay to retake the course or its equivalent.

Satisfactory academic progress is evaluated quarterly (July, October, January, and April). The year consists of a period that includes 32 weeks of in-class instruction and at least 36 units. Generally, students are funded for two payment periods. The first payment period is comprised of at least half of the course work in the academic year as measured in units and weeks of instruction. Generally, an academic year consists of eight courses. Students must successfully complete their first payment period before student loan funds will be released for the second period.

Students who are denied aid due to lack of satisfactory academic progress may submit a Request for Review (appeal) to the Financial Aid Committee if extenuating circumstances exist. The appeal will be reviewed and a decision made based on the student’s previous academic record and the nature of the reasons given.

Additional Financial Aid Resources

Employer Tuition Assistance: As part of their employee retention and development strategies, many companies offer tuition reimbursement programs through their employee benefits packages. Employers typically cover a portion or all of the tuition costs, up to a yearly limit. Check with your HR department to see if your work has a program like this.

Public Benefits: Public benefits like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and Medicaid can play a critical role in supporting the health and financial stability of adult learners. These programs free up money for books, transportation, or tuition.

Tax Credits and Deductions: The IRS offers education tax credits and deductions that can lower your income tax bill and help make college more affordable. The two most beneficial options are the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) and the Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC).

American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC): Provides up to $2,500 per year for the first four years of college. It covers tuition, fees, and course materials. Up to 40% of the credit can be refunded to you even if you owe no taxes.
Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC): Offers up to $2,000 per year for any level of education, including part-time study and professional development. It’s not refundable, but it’s flexible and available for unlimited years.

Depending on your income filing status, you may also qualify for the student loan interest deduction.

National University Resources: Students have access to a variety of financing options when attending the University and should consult with their Academic and Finance Counselor (AFC) for assistance in determining which options are appropriate for their circumstances. The University staff will assist students in clarifying eligibility for any funding option offered by the University. Submit tuition benefit inquiries to your Academic & Finance Counselor. After a review and approval of the written request, the University will adjust the student’s tuition rate.

Important Policies and Procedures

Enrollment Status: A student’s enrollment status is determined based on their course schedule.

Withdrawal and Refunds: Students have the right to withdraw from a course or the University at any time. Students may also be administratively withdrawn from the University for Non-Attendance, Non-Payment, lack of Satisfactory Academic Progress, or violation of the Student Code of Conduct policy. If a refund for a non-Title IV payment is required, the amount will be returned to the same source from which the payment was made.

A student may drop a course prior to midnight (PST) of the fourteenth (14th) calendar day of the session by contacting their Academic and Finance Counselor (AFC). After classes begin for a term, a student who withdraws from a course is eligible for a partial refund through the middle week of the term.

Financial Obligations: The University considers all financial obligations payable immediately, unless otherwise stated. Upon completion of the degree program, any outstanding financial balance is due and payable immediately. If the student’s financial obligations are in default (defined as not paying a financial obligation within 30 days of the due date), the University may declare the entire balance due without further notice and require full payment immediately.

Verification: Verification is the selective confirmation of certain student and parent-reported data (for dependent students). Applications are selected for verification either by the Central Processing System (CPS) or by the Student and Financial Services (S&FS) team. The verification process must be completed for selected applicants before any Title IV aid will be disbursed.

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