Applying for Financial Aid
Please follow the steps below to complete the financial aid process.
One of Northwest University’s goals is to make applying for financial
aid as straightforward as possible. With that in mind, we have outlined
the basic financial aid process.
1. Apply for Admission
Northwest University awards financial aid to students that
have been approved for admission. To apply for admission, you must
complete the Admission Application. You can either fill
it out on-line, or download
a copy (Adobe
Acrobat Reader required) and print it out, or call the Admissions
Office at 1.800.669.3781 to request an application
be mailed to you.
2. Apply for Financial Aid
To apply for financial aid you need to complete a Free
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can fill
it out on-line. Paper forms are only available upon special request. You will need to indicate on the FAFSA that you want Northwest University to receive
a copy of your FAFSA by recording our Title IV School Code (003783) on the form. Please allow
2 -3 weeks for the Federal Government to process the FAFSA and send the results to us. For tips on completeing
the FAFSA, click here.
In addition, you will also need to complete a Northwest
University Financial Aid Application. This application is included in
the Admissions
Application.
3. The Financial Aid Services Office will determine
what aid you are eligible for.
After you have been approved for admission and the results
of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) and Northwest
University Financial Aid Application has been received, the Financial
Aid Services Office will determine what financial aid you are eligible
for. Our priority deadline for financial aid is March 1st for the
following Fall Semester, and November 1st for the following Spring
Semester (for Spring admits). To be in this priority consideration,
you will need to be approved for admission, the results of the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid will need to be received by Northwest
University, and the Northwest University Financial Aid Application will
need to be submitted. Financial aid is still awarded after that date,
but it is on a first come, first served basis.
Some forms of financial aid are awarded according to
need from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This
includes all Federal Aid, specific Washington State Aid, and specific
Institutional Aid. Need is the difference between what it costs to
attend a college and what your family is expected to pay. The basic
formula to determine eligibility for need-based aid is:
However, you do not necessarily have to be in a low-income
category to qualify for financial aid. Many scholarships and grants
from Northwest University and other sources are based on special achievements,
academic performance, or special talents.
4. A packet of financial aid will be mailed to
you.
Once you have been awarded financial aid, the Financial
Aid Services Office will mail you a packet of information. Included
in this packet is an award letter that outlines the funds and amounts
you are eligible for. This package of financial aid may include gift
aid (grants and scholarships) and self-help aid (loans and work study). Any paperwork that is included will need to be completed and returned within 30 days of the date of the letter.
5. Submit all documents included in the packet
and requested on the award letter.
There will be two copies of the award letter. One copy
is for you to keep, the second copy is for you to sign and return
to the Financial Aid Services Office. You may decline any portion
of your financial aid by crossing out the award and
Initialing
next
to it.
Make sure you carefully read your award letter as important
information is relayed to you through it. Sometimes, additional information
is required by the Financial Aid Services Office to continue processing
your financial aid. These missing documents (such as copy of tax returns,
Verification Worksheets, Loan Request Forms, etc.) are detailed on
the award letter. Please be diligent in handing in missing information.
Verification, a federal process, requires Northwest University to check the accuracy of the information you and/or your parents reported when applying for Federal financial aid. Information is verified by securing additional documentation. There are a number of items that must be verified. The documents necessary to verify these items are described on your award letter. Corrections to the data will be submitted to the United States Department of Education, if necessary. A revised award letter of any specific actions needed or changes to your financial aid award will be mailed to you. An award will not be disbursed and Federal loans will not be originated until verification is complete. If documents are not submitted within 30 days of request, the offer of financial assistance may be cancelled.
6. You’re done . . . maybe!
Financial aid is an on-going process. Even after all
documents have been submitted, there still may be action needed to
be taken by you. The Financial Aid Services Office will do their best
to contact you if ever that need arises. However, it is a good idea
to keep in contact with them just to make sure.
