Graduate Frequently Asked Questions

As long as you are enrolled at least half-time at a Title IV eligible institution like NU, your federal student loans will go into deferment. This means you won’t need to make payments and your credit will not be negatively affected. Interest will accrue on unsubsidized funds (see your loan servicer for more information). Please note that privately held loans may still have payments due. If you drop below half-time, leave school, or graduate, payment will resume within six months.

Tuition is charged per semester. Due dates are listed online here: https://www.northwestu.edu/financial-aid/deadlines.

We offer payment plans through Nelnet Campus Commerce that range from 3 to 4 monthly payments for all semesters. There is a $75 enrollment fee and enrollment deadlines for each semester plan. Please note that international students are not eligible for payment plans at this time. Email studentfinancialservices@northwestu.edu for more information.

If you drop a class before the end of add/drop week (seven days after the first day of class), then you will not owe tuition for that course. However, your aid will be adjusted to reflect the number of credits for which you remain enrolled. If you drop a class after the add/drop deadline, it is considered a withdrawal. You will get a W on your official transcript and will owe the entire cost of that course without earning any credit. In either a withdrawal or drop situation, you could possibly owe or receive a refund depending on the timing and aid received. Please reach out to your Student Financial Aid Counselor to discuss the possible impact this could have on you financially before you decide to add, drop or withdraw from a course.

Depending on your current situation, there may be payment plans and alternative loans that can be applied for through federal or third-party servicers if your financial aid does not cover your tuition and fees. Please contact your Student Financial Services Counselor for more information. 

Financial aid will be disbursed 7–10 days prior to the start of each term for students who have completed the financial aid process. To have your aid applied towards your student account, you must sign your Financial Aid Terms and Conditions and be enrolled (and complete your Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling if you are borrowing federal student loans). Student Financial Services will notify you of any additional documentation needed via your NU email.

If there is a negative number on your estimate or student account, you could expect to receive a refund once your financial aid is processed and as long as you remain eligible. To set up a refund method, log into the Eagle website click on My Profile/Manage Refund. 

If you are eligible to receive a refund, you should expect to receive the refund approximately two weeks after the start of each semester if the financial aid process is complete. The fastest method to receive a refund is direct deposit. To select direct deposit, sign your Financial Aid Terms and Conditions and create an account on Nelnet via the Eagle website by selecting Manage Refunds from your Profile.

If you wish to decrease or decline any of your financial aid, please email studentfinancialservices@northwestu.edu with your request as soon as possible. Example: “Please decrease my unsubsidized loan from $2000 to $1000.”

You will receive a student ID number when accepted into your program. It is sent to the email address you provided on your application for admission. Your Student ID will be asked for every time you call your Student Financial Services Counselor to confirm our office is speaking to the appropriate student. If you have already been accepted to NU but have not received your student ID number, please contact your Admissions Counselor for help.

We cannot give out your account or financial aid information to anyone unless you add them as a delegate to your My Profile page on the Eagle website.