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Community Handbook

Financial Information

Costs

Northwest University is a private, church-related university.  The University receives no taxes or public funds to support its operation.  Each student is charged tuition and fees, which cover about eighty-five percent of the cost of his/her education.  The remainder of the costs is provided by gifts from friends of the University, supporting districts, endowment income, and other earnings.

Financial Policy

Recognizing the necessity for the prompt payment of all financial obligations, as a good business principle and for the sake of character development, the Department of Education of the Assemblies of God has established the following financial policy:

In order to improve our present educational institutions and to guarantee their future, each student is expected to reimburse the University for the full amount of his/her obligation on or before the close of each semester. No diplomas, certificates, degrees, or transcripts shall be expected or received until satisfactory payment is made for all University obligations. 

Payment of Accounts

The regular college year is divided into two semesters of approximately four months each, and tuition is based on each semester.  The University's policy is that there can be no past due account at registration.  All past due and old accounts must be paid-in-full prior to registering for the following semester.  Any other arrangements must also be cleared with the Student Account Office prior to registering. 

Pay In Full Plan:  Tuition, fees and room and board charges are to be paid-in-full before the first day of classes each semester unless other arrangements are made with Tuition Management Systems (TMS) at www.afford.com prior to July 1^st.  All students must sign a contract/promissory note agreeing to payment terms prior to the start of classes each semester. For the summer semester, tuition and fees are to be paid in full prior to the first day of the semester. Monthly payments are not offered for the summer semester.

Tuition Management Systems (TMS):  Those students who wish to make monthly payments based on the annual cost of tuition & fees will enroll with Tuition Management Systems.  TMS is a budgeting service that let's the students pay an entire year's education costs with monthly installments.  TMS provides an annual 10 or 9 month payment plan to help students manage the cost of education.  (A single semester plan is also available.)  To enroll with Tuition Managements Systems, you may contact them via the web at www.afford.com or by telephone at 1.800.722.4867. 

A budget is set up with TMS based on estimated charges less estimated financial aid (including loans) for the entire school year/semester.  The first payment must be received by TMS not later than June 1^st (10 pay plan) or July 1^st (9 pay plan) of each year to enroll for this option.  Although there is an annual enrollment fee for this plan, there is no finance charge to non-delinquent participants. 

Finance Charge

A finance charge of 12% (APR) will be assessed on Fall semester Student Account balances at the end of October, November, December, and each subsequent month. A finance charge of 12% (APR) will be assessed on Student Account balances at the end of February, March, April, and each subsequent month. Finance charges will be added to the next scheduled payment. For those paying with TMS, finance charges will be waived for the budgeted amount as long as the account is current and active.

Late Fees

Missing Financial Aid:  A grace period is given to allow pending financial aid to be posted to the student's account.  For the Fall semester, a $50.00 late fee will be assessed on any financial aid still missing on the last business day of October, and any month following.  For the Spring semester, a $50.00 late fee will be assessed on any financial aid still missing on the last business day of February, and any month following.

Missing Payments:  For those who have not paid in full, nor have enrolled for the payment plan through Tuition Management Systems (TMS), a late fee not to exceed $50.00 will be assessed if payment in full (not counting financial aid) is not received by 5:00 p.m. on the last business day of the first week that classes are offered.  An additional late fee may be added at the end of each subsequent month for which payment in full is not made. 

Tuition Management Systems:  TMS will assess a  $50.00 late fee for each late payment made on the monthly plan established at the beginning of the school year/semester the student is attending.  Please contact them for further details.

Financial Aid

The Financial Aid Services Office is open during regular campus business hours.  The staff is available to assist students with the process of applying for and receiving financial aid.  For details on how to apply for financial aid, please refer to the Northwest University Catalog.

Once a student has been awarded financial aid and his/her file is complete, the financial aid that has been awarded will be disbursed to the student's account.  Scholarships and grants will automatically be applied to a student account once the financial aid file is complete and the student is making satisfactory academic progress for financial aid.  The amount that will be disbursed each semester is indicated in the award letter.  Most often an award is disbursed in two equal payments, half each semester at the beginning of the term.  For example a $1,000 grant will be disbursed $500 for the Fall semester and $500 for the Spring semester.  The Washington State Need Grant funds are available for pick-up by the student in the Financial Aid Services Office after the start of each semester.

If a student has been awarded, accepted, and applied for a Federal Stafford Student Loan, Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) will send the loan proceeds to the University from the lenders.  EFT funds will be credited directly to the student's account.  The student will be notified by letter of the date and amount of funds applied to their account.  The student borrower at the Cashier's window in the Davis Administration Building must sign any loan funds sent by check.  In addition, the borrower must attend an entrance interview session, which explains issues of rights and responsibilities before receipt of loan funds.  For students attending one semester, their loan may be disbursed in two payments: one payment after add/drop and the second payment halfway through the semester.

The Federal Perkins Loan Office is responsible for the administration of Federal Perkins Loan funds.  Federal Perkins Loan recipients are required to sign the schedule of advances at the beginning of each term before funds can be credited to the student's account.  Also, an entrance interview is required and this office for further requirements will contact students.

Refund of Title IV Funds apply when a student receives Title IV funds and totally withdraws, drops out, is expelled/dismissed, or otherwise fails to complete the period of enrollment for which funds were received and charges applied.  Please refer to the Northwest University Catalog for a more detailed description or contact the Financial Aid Services Office for a copy of the policy.

Students receiving financial aid must maintain "Satisfactory Academic Progress" (SAP).  A copy of the policy can be found in the University Catalog or obtained from the Financial Aid Services Office.

Northwest University Scholarship/Tuition Credit Recipients

These awards are funded from donations of friends of the University for general award or are allocated from the general scholarship or discount pool in the general fund budget.  Based on the sources of these funds, certain expectations of the recipient are attached to the award and acceptance of these funds.  Please refer to the Northwest University Catalog for a list of Northwest University scholarships and tuition credits.

• Any student who fails chapel attendance may forfeit any Northwest University self-funded scholarship or discounts for the following semester.
• Any student who goes on academic probation two semesters in a row may forfeit any Northwest University self-funded scholarship or discount for the following semester.  

Students receiving Northwest University scholarship/tuition credits must maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP as detailed in the SAP policy available from the Financial Aid Services Office).  Specific awards may have higher academic requirements than the SAP policy.  Refer to the University Catalog for specific requirements for Northwest scholarships, talent awarding and endowed scholarships.

Students who receive a Northwest University funded scholarship or discount, agree that as part of the acceptance of these funds they will attend church regularly, and follow all guidelines for dress code, appearance, and general behavior as outlined in the Student Handbook.  In addition, they understand that the preceding four requirements will apply and be enforced if required. Certain scholarships require additional standards.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Financial Aid

Students who receive financial aid at Northwest University must maintain satisfactory academic progress and be enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program. Financial aid recipients are required to meet the standards of the Northwest University Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy in the University Catalog or the Financial Aid Office for a copy.

ASB Fees

A Student Activity Fee is charged on a semester basis at the time of registration.  Fees vary semester-by-semester as established by the Board of Directors.  The Associated Student Body Officers budget the use of these fees.  Fees cover the cost of the University yearbook or its equivalent, admission to the all-college socials, cultural events, student-sponsored recreational and athletic activities, and class dues.  Students who are registered for less than 8 credit hours will not be charged the student activity fee unless they request it.  See the Cashier or the Student Accounts Office to request this fee.  Married couples that are both students are charged a reduced ASB fee and are given one yearbook or its equivalent.  All students (with the exception of LEAP students) are required to pay these fees unless they are taking less than 8 credit hours.

Snack Bar Plus Account

The Snack Bar Plus Account is available for purchase to all Northwest University students, faculty and staff, from the Cashier in the Davis Administrative Center.  The Snack Bar Plus Account enables an individual to make purchases at the Eagle's Nest, Big Al's Pizza, or in the Dining Hall. Unused balances at the end of the semester do not transfer to the next semester. 

The Snack Bar Plus Account options are:

• $25.00 ($27.50 buying power)

• $50.00 ($55.00 buying power)

• $75.00 ($82.50 buying power)

Residence Halls Deposit Refunds & Forfeits

Residence Hall students must inform their Resident Director in writing of their intentions not to live in the Residence Halls by August 1st for the Fall semester or December 15th for the Spring semester in order to receive a refund of the housing deposit.  Refund of the housing deposit is credited to the student's account.  If this results in an overpayment on the student's account, a refund check will be issued.  Failure to notify the Resident Director by these dates will result in the housing deposit being forfeited.

Cancellation of Registration

A student who registers for classes but decides not to attend must notify the Registrar's Office in writing before the first day of class. If the notification is not received prior to the first day and no classes are attended, all tuition charges, except the $25.00 registration fee, will be reversed and a $100 administrative fee will be assessed on the account.  This applies to all semesters, including summer.

Withdrawal from College

Adjustments will be made on the accounts of students who withdraw during the semester subject to the following conditions:

• The student must have officially withdrawn from college.
• Northwest Award/Scholarship credit will not apply during the semester of withdrawal.
• Exit clearance from Resident Life Personnel is required for resident hall and new campus apartment residents.
• Room and board charges are pro-rated by the day from the official opening of the Residence Halls and New campus Apartments.
• Residence Hall and New campus Apartment deposits are not refundable.
• Fees are non-refundable.
• Tuition will be charged as follows from the first day of classes:

Per day during first week 2.5%
During second week 25.0%
During third week 37.5%
During fourth week 50.0%
During fifth week 62.5%
During sixth week 75.0%
During seventh week 87.5%
After seventh week 100.0%

• Withdrawals from college (withdrawing from all courses and leaving college) may be made by obtaining the proper form from the Registrar’s Office, completing it, securing appropriate signatures, and filling it out with the Registrar. If it is impossible to follow this procedure because of illness or emergency, the student must notify the Registrar within one week after leaving the University. The University reserves the right to require a letter of consent of parents or guardians for students under the age of twenty-one.
• A student who is absent from all classes for more than two consecutive weeks without contacting the University to explain the reason for his/her absences may be administratively withdrawn from the University with grades of “F” for the term. In this case, the official withdrawal date will be two (2) weeks after the last date of class attendance as verified by faculty attendance records.
• When a student changes his or her schedule by dropping a course but does not withdraw from the University, tuition and fees will be adjusted through the first Friday of classes. After that, there is no reduction of tuition for classes.

Students who do not complete course work and/or who fail to officially withdraw from class through the Registrar’s Office, assume responsibility for all costs associated with that work.

Withdrawal from Summer College

Students withdrawing from college during summer session will be charged tuition as described below. Course fees are not refundable. Adding or dropping of classes during Summer College must be made prior to 5:00 p.m. of the second day of the respective class session.

For Summer College sessions of three weeks or less:

• 20% of tuition for withdrawal on the first day of classes
• 40% of tuition for withdrawal on the second day of classes, and
• 100% of tuition after the third day of classes.

For Summer College sessions that are longer than three weeks:

• 20% of tuition for withdrawal on the first or second day of classes;
• 40% of tuition for withdrawal on the third or fourth day of classes;
• 60% of tuition for withdrawal on the fifth or sixth day of classes;
• 80% of tuition for withdrawal on the seventh or eighth day of classe.

Withdrawing from a Course

When a student changes his/her course schedule by dropping a course, but does not withdraw from college, tuition and fees will be adjusted through the Last Day to Add/Drop Courses. After that, courses can only be withdrawn, and there is no reduction to tuition or course fees.

During Summer College, adding or dropping of course must be made prior to the end of the first second day of the respective class session.