Financial Aid
A Master Plan
No matter how you place it, pursuing a postgraduate degree is a great investment—an investment in your life,
your career, and sometimes, your family. We at Northwest University understand what it takes to count the cost of
this investment, and we want to help. Financial Aid is available to assist in affording this great investment.
Types of Aid
Graduate financial aid offerings differ from financial aid offered to undergraduate students. The Federal Aid offered
to graduate students includes: Stafford Loans (both subsidized and unsubsidized), Graduate PLUS Loans, and State Work Study.
Federal Stafford Loans
Stafford Loans are administered by the Department of Education, and Northwest University participates in the Federal
Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program which allows students to borrow Stafford Loan Funds from a bank, credit union,
or financial institution of their choice (only financial institutions that participate in the FFEL Program can be
selected). Stafford Loans come in two forms: Subsidized Stafford Loans and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans.
Up to 4% of the total amount of the Federal Subsidized or Unsubsidized Stafford Loan may be deducted by the bank
or guaranty agency, although some banks waive the 4% fee. In addition, if a student graduates or ceases to attend
half time, they are required to complete an exit loan counseling session for their Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan
and/or Unsubsidized Stafford Loan.
Federal Subsidized Stafford Loans
Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
Federal Graduate Plus Loan
Work Study
Work Study is also available to graduate students. If you currently do not have a job and would like to learn more
about Work Study, contact the Financial Aid Services Office at 425.889.4090.
The purpose of the Northwest University Work Study program is to provide financial assistance to needy students
by facilitating part-time employment. To participate, you must be awarded Work Study as part of your financial aid
package.
Work Study is more than just a job – it’s also job experience. You may find employment either on-campus
or off-campus, depending upon your major. All monies you earn from working are paid directly to you by your employer
in the form of a paycheck.
The Work Study award amount on your Award Letter notifies you of the gross amount that you may earn that is considered
“Work Study”. For example, if your Award Letter says you have $3,500 worth of Work Study eligibility
but you earn $4,000 from your job, $3,500 is considered “Work Study” and $500 is not.
The difference between Work Study and regular employment is that the wages you earn on the Work Study program are
not considered in the federal methodology when need is being determined for the following year. Work Study earnings
are taxable and are included on a student’s tax return. They are also reported as work earnings on the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). However, Work Study earnings are also counted as a Title IV Exclusion
in another section of the FAFSA, effectively decreasing the amount of income available to go towards the Expected
Family Contribution (EFC).
If you have any questions about Federal Work Study or Washington State Work Study, please contact the Work Study
Coordinator in the Financial Aid Services Office at 425.889.4090.
Federal Work Study
This Federally-funded program provides on-campus jobs to students with demonstrated financial need according to
the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. To apply for an on-campus job, you must submit an Application for
Employment to the Human Resources Office. You may obtain an application by contacting the Human Resources Office
at 425.889.4203. An interview with the area supervisor is also required for placement. Students work an average
of 12-15 hours per week, depending upon the position. Positions filled by Federal Work Study students include, but
are not limited to, departmental offices, library, technical services, custodial, food services, or grounds maintenance.
Washington State Work Study
This program, funded by the State of Washington, provides off-campus employment opportunities to students with
financial need according to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Once you have acquired a job, contact
the Work Study Coordinator so that you may be provided with timesheets and other documents if necessary.
Students are not eligible to work on the Washington State Work Study Program if they are pursuing a ministerial
academic program (contact the Financial Aid Services Office for details). Washington State Work Study placements
should be related to academic or career goals. However, if no job fits into your goals, you may find employment
with any of the employers.
Applying for Aid
To apply for Federal financial aid at Northwest University, visit the "Apply for
Admission" page and complete the listed steps.
Contact Financial Aid
The Financial Aid Services Office for Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) is located on the first floor of
the Graduate and Professional Studies building at 6710 108th Ave NE, at the intersection of 108th Ave NE & NE
68th St., and about a half-mile from the Northwest University main campus in Kirkland.
Office hours are from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
GPS Financial Aid
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Local: 425.889.7791
Toll-Free: 1.877.453.5327
Mailing Address:
Northwest University
GPS Financial Aid Services
P.O. Box 579
Kirkland, WA 98083-0579
