How to Apply for Financial Aid
One of Northwest University’s goals is to make applying for financial aid as straightforward as possible. Please follow the steps below to complete the financial aid process.
1. Apply for Admission
Northwest University offers financial aid to students that have been approved for admission. To apply for admission, you must complete the Admission Application.
2. Apply for Financial Aid
To apply for financial aid, you must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. You will need to indicate on the FAFSA that you want Northwest University to receive a copy by recording our Title IV School Code (003783) on the form. Please allow a few business days for the federal government to process your FAFSA and send us the results.
If you are an undocumented student pursuing your first bachelor’s degree, you may be eligible for state funding. Please see Washington State Financial Aid Application for further information.
3. Student Financial Services will determine your financial aid.
After you have been approved for admission and the results of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) have been received, Student Financial Services will determine your financial aid offer. To be eligible for the maximum amount of financial aid, apply as soon as possible. Northwest University does not have a priority deadline for processing and will process financial aid applications as they are received. The FAFSA application opens each year on October 1. Students are encouraged to file the FAFSA as soon as possible after this date, but no later than a week before the term in which they are enrolled ends.
Some types of financial aid are offered according to financial need as calculated based on the FAFSA. This includes most federal aid, Washington state aid, and specific Northwest University aid. Financial 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:
Educational costs - Student Aid Index (SAI) = Eligibility for need-based financial aid.
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. Loan funds are usually available regardless of income.
4. A Financial Aid Offer Letter will be mailed to new students and emailed to continuing students.
Once you have been offered financial aid, Student Financial Services will mail or email you a packet of information. Included in this packet is an offer letter that outlines the funds and amounts offered.
5. Submit all documents included in the packet and requested on the Financial Aid Offer Letter.
Make sure you carefully read your Financial Aid Offer Letter to determine if additional information is required to continue processing your financial aid. Any required documents (such as tax transcripts, Verification Worksheets, Loan Request Forms, etc.) are listed on the Financial Aid Offer Letter with a link to the forms on the website. Please be diligent in turning in these required documents as soon as possible.
Quick Note on Verification:
Verification, which is a federal process, requires Northwest University to check the accuracy of the information you, and/or your parents, and/or your spouse reported when completing the FAFSA. The documents needed to verify the information you reported will be listed on the Financial Aid Offer Letter with a link to the forms on the web site. If any of the information submitted requires corrections to your FAFSA, it will be submitted to the United States Department of Education. If the updated information results in any changes to your financial aid offer, a revised Financial Aid Offer Letter will be sent to you by either mail or email. Financial aid will not be disbursed and federal loans will not be originated until verification is complete.
6. You Are Done. . .Maybe!
Financial aid is an on-going process. Even after all documents have been submitted, there still may be action needed. Student Financial Services will contact you if further action is required. Please be sure to consistently check your NU email account to make sure you do not miss any important communication.