Navigating NAU Scholarship Universe: Eligibility and Opportunities

Embarking on a college journey involves understanding the financial aid landscape. Northern Arizona University (NAU) is committed to helping students access various sources of financial aid. NAU strives to increase the accessibility of the University’s educational programs to all qualified students. This article serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding eligibility requirements and maximizing opportunities within NAU's Scholarship Universe.

Understanding Scholarship Universe

ScholarshipUniverse is a matching system that maximizes scholarship opportunities for students. By far the best way to search for and apply for private scholarships is by using our ScholarshipUniverse tool. It is a dynamic tool designed to match students with scholarship opportunities based on their individual information and needs. No more sifting through endless lists of scholarships to try to find ones you’re eligible for. It eliminates the need to sift through countless scholarships, offering a streamlined approach to finding and applying for aid. You can apply for most of them right within the tool itself. All departments on campus will use this platform in future academic years to post their scholarship opportunities.

Key Features

Personalized Matching: The more questions you answer and information you fill out, the more accurate the matching scholarship opportunities will be.
Centralized Platform: ScholarshipUniverse is a one-stop shop for all your scholarship needs. You can apply, review, research, and accept scholarship aid worry-free.
Vetting Process: Each scholarship opportunity that a student sees on ScholarshipUniverse has gone through an extensive vetting process in order to protect students from scholarship scams.
Application Management: ScholarshipUniverse will help track and manage your pending and completed applications.

Eligibility for Scholarship Universe

Yes! You must be an admitted, incoming student, or current student at NAU. Once you've been admitted to NAU, you automatically have a ScholarshipUniverse account!

Maximizing Your Scholarship Potential

To make the most of ScholarshipUniverse and increase your chances of securing financial aid, consider the following strategies:

Complete Your Profile: The more detailed and accurate your profile, the better the scholarship matching.
Focus Your Search: Focus on the scholarships you have the best shot at winning. Look for programs and organizations you are affiliated with.
Research Thoroughly: Research: Search for scholarships awarded to students based on college majors, hobbies, achievements, grades, or other criteria that might apply to you.
Plan Ahead: Donors might ask for essays, résumés, or letters of recommendation.

Internal vs. External Scholarships

It's important to distinguish between internal and external scholarships. Internal scholarships refer to scholarships directly awarded by NAU, and external scholarships refer to any scholarships awarded by an outside source.

Read also: Navigating Pima Scholarships

Types of Financial Aid at NAU

NAU offers a variety of financial aid options to help students fund their education.

Grants

Grants are financial assistance awarded to eligible students demonstrating financial need. This type of financial aid does not require repayment.

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). 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.
Federal Supplemental Educational 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.

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. 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.

Federal Direct Subsidized Loan: 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. 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.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan: 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: 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.

Important Loan Information

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. 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.

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. Department of Education.
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.
Private Student 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. Consider the general pros and cons with your family thoroughly before applying. In general, private student loans have stricter eligibility requirements. Private education loans are subject to credit approval and may be denied. Before disbursement of any private education loan can occur, a Private Loan Self-Certification Form must be completed.

Federal Work-Study (FWS)

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. FWS funding is limited. 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. 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. All FWS students are paid at least the federal minimum wage. FWS is not deducted from your University invoice or bill.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

Automatic Tuition Scholarships

When you apply to NAU as a first-year student, you’ll automatically be considered for tuition scholarships, no extra steps needed. Just be sure to fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) early to make the most of all available aid. Some scholarships are awarded automatically to eligible students when they are admitted to NAU. NAU tuition aid programs don’t require a separate application. As long as you are admitted to NAU, you’ll automatically be considered for these awards.

Access2Excellence (A2E)

Through a combination of funding, including scholarships, A2E covers 100% of tuition for eligible Arizona residents with a household income up to $65,000. And if you’re a member of one of Arizona’s 22 federally recognized tribes, you qualify for A2E no matter your income or state of residency. Applies to Flagstaff and statewide campus students (but not online).

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)

If you’re from a western state, you may qualify for the WUE program, which gives you a major tuition discount as an out-of-state student. It’s a smart way to save and expand your options.

College-Specific Scholarships

Many NAU colleges offer scholarships for undergraduate students.

Education Abroad Scholarships

Good news! Most tuition scholarships can be used toward NAU’s education abroad or exchange programs. They don’t apply to faculty-led or provider programs, though.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Scholarship

Selection: The IB diploma is awarded to students who earn at least 24 points, subject to certain minimum levels of performance across the whole program and to satisfactory participation in the creativity, action, and service requirements.
How to apply: No separate application is required outside of your NAU application for admission.
Duration: Renewable for up to four consecutive years (fall and spring semesters only).
Multiple scholarship awards: This award can be combined with other outside tuition scholarships as long as it does not exceed the cost of tuition.

Financial Aid Disbursement and Refunds

Financial aid disbursement is the process of financial aid (scholarships, grants, loans, etc.) being released to your LOUIE account to pay for tuition and other university charges. Most financial aid awards are awarded under the assumption that students will complete the semester or academic year that the aid is being awarded for. If you withdraw from the university before the end of a semester, you might not be eligible to receive aid for that time period. If your financial aid is greater than your account balance you will receive a refund. All excess financial aid will be sent via electronic funds transfer to your direct deposit bank account listed in LOUIE. Allow three to five business days for funds to transfer.

Maintaining Financial Aid Eligibility

Unfortunately, yes. You have to meet certain requirements to maintain your aid, such as taking a certain number of credit hours and ensuring you meet Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Additional Resources

Net Price Calculator

The best way to get a feel for what type of aid you might be eligible for at NAU is to use our Net Price Calculator. It’s a customizable tool that’ll give you an accurate and personalized estimate of the cost of earning your degree as a Lumberjack. For a better understanding of how much college will actually cost, including what scholarships and other aid you might be eligible for, use NAU’s Net Price Calculator.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Of course! The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first and most important step in paying for college. It’s an online form that determines what types and how much financial aid you will be eligible for. You can learn more and complete the FAFSA at Federal Student Aid. What’s next after I submit the FAFSA? You can simply log back in at Student Aid, access your FAFSA form again, and make the necessary corrections. We’ll get in touch with you if the changes you made affect your financial aid eligibility in any way.

The Stallion 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.

Scholarship Universe

You can use ScholarshipUniverse to apply for Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid (OSFA) scholarships, as well as NAU Foundation scholarships. Additional scholarships such as private donor and academic department scholarships might have a separate application or additional requirements.

Graduate Student Funding Opportunities

NAU offers several avenues for graduate students to fund their education.

Tuition Waivers

Tuition waivers are scholarships that cover all or part of your tuition, with no work requirement. These are available to full-time, degree-seeking graduate students in good academic standing. The application process is available through individual academic units.

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistantships can help fund your education while building valuable teaching, research, and service experience. Graduate assistantships are offered through academic programs and service offices. For online students, tuition payment is capped at 9 credits per semester. Many graduate programs at NAU offer teaching or research assistantships. These roles help fund your degree while giving you professional experience in your academic field. NAU offers assistantship positions across various university offices, not just in academic programs. These roles offer stipends and professional experience and vary based on department and position.

Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTA): Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTA) have primary responsibility in an instructional capacity.
Graduate Service Assistants (GSA): Graduate Service Assistants (GSA) assist in a service unit whose mission is closely related to the student’s area of academic study and interest.

Contact the graduate coordinator or department chair in your program area for information on open opportunities and qualifications. Start looking for academic year assistantships at the beginning of the previous spring semester. Opportunities for spring semester assistantships may become available each fall.

WICHE Programs

If you live in a participating western state or territory, you may be eligible for in-state tuition through Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) tuition savings programs like WRGP and PSEP.

Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP): Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) allows graduate students from eligible western states and territories to pay reduced tuition rates at NAU. This applies to select in-person graduate programs only (online programs are not included).
Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP): Planning to study occupational therapy or another health-related field? If you’re from a participating western state, you may qualify for tuition support through WICHE's PSEP program. WICHE membership does not guarantee PSEP funding. States have limited budgets, and funding decisions are made by your home state, not NAU.

Graduate Scholarships

Many NAU colleges offer scholarships for graduate students, available through ScholarshipUniverse.

The Honors College

At Northern Arizona University’s Honors College, our goal is to enrich our student’s college experience and prepare them for life beyond the classroom. The Honors College is an inclusive opportunity for students to customize and enhance their higher education journey, without overwhelming and increasing their course load. This program is open to students of all majors at Northern Arizona University. Any student can apply to the Honors College and join a community of thoughtful and ambitious scholars. As a smaller college, Honors allows for more direct, individualized, and hands-on learning opportunities. We add value to our student’s education by structuring our curriculum around student success. We help students build a complete understanding of the material, develop critical thinking and verbal communication skills. The Honors College living community is designated for Honors students. Our Honors buillding has numerous study spaces for independent or collaborative work, a writing center, student support center, exercise facility, and more. At the NAU Honors College, you’ll work side by side with faculty who are true teacher-scholars, mentors who guide students through original research, seminar-style classes, and even study abroad experiences. With small class sizes and close connections, our faculty get to know you as a whole person and support you in and beyond the classroom. Honors classes are an opportunity to truly think deeply about a subject and discuss ideas and opinions with peers who are engaged in the topic. After you apply to NAU, you can apply to The Honors College where you can find your place in a community that values curiosity, creativity, and academic excellence. Your gift to the Honors College helps provide meaningful experiences for high-achieving students who are eager to learn, lead, and make a difference. We welcome students from all corners of the world with various economic backgrounds.

Receiving Scholarship Checks

Once we receive a scholarship check and any corresponding documentation, we work to post the award on the student’s account in a timely manner. Include the student’s NAU ID number and full name on the check, and an award letter that specifies any of the scholarship requirements or restrictions, including which term the scholarship should be applied to. All third-party, private donor scholarship checks should be received in our office no later than July 1 for the fall term and Dec.

Avoiding Scholarship Scams

Be cautious of scams.

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