Answers to FAQ

Who is eligible for Financial Aid?

A student must meet the following standards in order to receive federal or state financial aid at Northwest University:

• Have a high school diploma
• Be accepted as a student working toward a degree in an eligible program
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
• Meet satisfactory academic progress standards
• Register with the Selective Service, if required
• Certify that you are not in default on a federal student loan
• Complete and submit a Northwest University Financial Aid Application
• Complete and submit the FAFSA

How does the Financial Aid Process work?

Students apply for financial aid by completing the FAFSA and the NU Financial Aid Application. If students are admitted, and we have these documents, we can award financial aid. The student receives an Award Letter listing the financial aid they are eligible to receive. The letter also lists any missing documents our office needs. Students can only receive up to their cost of attendance in financial aid funds. Financial Aid is disbursed to student’s accounts a couple weeks after classes have started, as long as the student has turned in all the necessary paperwork at least six weeks prior to the beginning of the semester.

Should I pay someone else to complete the FAFSA for my student since they can guarantee results?

You should NEVER have anyone or any organization complete the FAFSA for your student. The first “F” in FAFSA stands for Free and that is how it should stay. The truth is that no one can truly guarantee anything for your student. Often, these organizations claiming to be able to help find more aid will complete the form incorrectly, which can cost a lot more for your family in the long run. There are numerous scams where people will pose as financial aid experts, so the safest thing to do is to have your student complete the form his/herself and to talk to a financial aid office or the Department of Education if there are questions.

What is a PIN, and why do I need it?

A PIN is a number that you are assigned by the Department of Education that serves as your electronic signature. Because it is equivalent to your signature, it is important not to share it with anyone. The PIN allows you to sign many Department of Ed applications, so keep it safe!

What is the Northwest University school code?

The Northwest University school code is 003783. You will need this number if you want Northwest University to receive a copy of your FAFSA.

I completed the FAFSA last year.  Do I have to do it again?

Yes. You must complete a new FAFSA every year. A new FAFSA is available every January 1st and can be completed through June 30th of the following year.

Can I complete the FAFSA even if I or my parents haven’t filed taxes yet?

YES! There is a section to mark on the FAFSA that states that you plan to file your taxes, but have not yet filed. Check that box, and indicate your best estimate of income. It is important to estimate as close as you can so that we can be as accurate as we can in determining what aid you are awarded. When you complete your taxes, you can go back and make any necessary updates to your information.

Why am I not considered Independent?  How does the FAFSA determine Dependent/Independent Status?

You are only considered an Independent if you can answer ‘yes’ to any of the following questions that are included on the 2012-2013 FAFSA, and provide documentation. (If you are still considered a dependent student, your parent’s information must be included on your FAFSA, even if you do not live with them, they didn’t claim you on their taxes, and they do not support you.)

• Were you born before January 1, 1988?
• As of today, are you married? (Answer “Yes” if you are separated but not divorced.)
• At the beginning of the school year, will you be working on a master’s or doctorate program (such as an MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, or graduate certificate, etc.)?
• Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training?
• Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?
• Do you have children who will receive more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2012, and June 30, 2013?
• Do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2013?
• When you were age 13 or older, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care or were you a dependent/ward of the court?
• As of today, are you an emancipated minor as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?
• As of today, are you in legal guardianship as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?
• At any time on or after July 1, 2011, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
• At any time on or after July 1, 2011, did the director of an emergency shelter program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
• At any time on or after July 1, 2011, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?

I’m getting married!  When should I complete the FAFSA?

It really depends. Something to keep in mind is that once you have completed the FAFSA and determine a marital status, that status cannot be changed for the school year. If you file before you get married (and the FAFSA considers you Dependent), your eligibility is based on yours and your parents’ income. If you file after you get married, you are considered an Independent, and your eligibility is based on yours and your spouse’s income. Keep in mind that if you received the NU Sibling Tuition Credit, or any other Dependent Tuition Credits, you would no longer be eligible for these as an Independent student.

My income is significantly different this year when compared to last year. Can I just complete the FAFSA with the most current information?

No. Please complete the FAFSA with the information asked of you, and if there is a significant difference, our office can make adjustments after your FAFSA has been completed. Please have the proper documentation ready to give to our office if you would like to make these income changes.

My parents and/or I do not want to provide our social security number.  How can I apply for aid?

Without a social security number, a student is not eligible for federal or state aid.

What are my financial aid options if I don’t want to complete the FAFSA?

You will not be eligible for Federal or State aid. Alternative loans are a resource for non-FAFSA filers. Traditional Undergraduate students may be eligible for a handful of scholarships from the university. These include: Presidential and Dean’s Scholarships*, Academic Scholarship*, Talent and Athletic Scholarships, participation awards (RA, ASB, Karisma), Pastor’s and DYD Scholarships*, and Alumni Scholarships. In addition, you may only be eligible for the minimum tuition credit amount if eligible.

* These scholarships are awarded only your first year, then can be renewed for the semesters to follow pending on renewal policies.

What is the difference between a loan and a grant?

Grants are considered financial aid that you don’t have to pay back. They are a type of gift aid or “free” money. Loans, on the other hand, are funds that DO need to be paid back to either the university or a lender. Often, you do not need to pay loans back until after you are finished with school. They DO need to be paid back, nonetheless.

How do I know if I was awarded Work Study?

Please see your Award Letter or talk to your financial aid counselor.

What is Verification/why do I have to turn in copies of my Tax Transcript?

The Department of Education randomly selects students for a process called verification when they file a FAFSA. If you were selected for Verification, our office must request tax transcripts (along with additional documents) to verify that your FAFSA is correct. All information is kept confidential and is used only for Federal Aid purposes. At least 30% of students are selected for Verification each year. Your financial aid offer will not be confirmed until we have received your documentation and verified your information. If there are changes that need to be made, we will correct your FAFSA information; this may affect the amount of aid that you are eligible to receive. You will receive a confirmed or revised Award Letter after the Verification process is complete.

I am expecting an outside scholarship. How can I check if it has arrived?

Check with the Financial Aid Services Office to see if the check has arrived. If you are expecting outside scholarship funds from your church, you may contact the University Advancement Department to see if they have received those scholarship funds.

How much should I/can I borrow if I apply for an alternative loan?

Generally, students are able to borrow up to their cost of attendance at Northwest University. That is, cost of attendance – financial aid = maximum you may borrow from an alternative loan. Students can only receive up to their cost of attendance in financial aid funds.

How do I get financial aid to pay for my rent, etc?

Financial Aid is meant to pay for your school expenses, and is applied directly to your student account to go toward these costs. If your financial aid covers more than your educational expenses, and creates a credit balance on your account, you may receive a refund check from the Cashier’s Office.

My Account isn’t showing aid.  Why isn’t it here yet?

There could be a variety of reasons your aid is not showing yet. Students must be registered for classes for Anticipated Aid to show up on their account. After classes have started for the semester, it will then take a couple weeks for actual aid to be disbursed to your account (provided you have turned in all your paperwork on time). A common reason your aid may not be on your account (a couple weeks after classes have started) is that our office is missing some paperwork from you. Check in with us to be sure we have all your paperwork to get your aid disbursed.

I have a late fee on my account due to financial aid not disbursed.  How can I appeal the charge?

Late fees are handled by the Student Accounts Office. You can appeal late fees through their office.

What happens if I withdraw?

Students who receive financial aid during the semester in which they withdraw are not considered to be making satisfactory academic progress. Future aid will be cancelled and they will not be eligible to receive additional financial aid. Students can receive information as to what must be done to regain eligibility for financial aid should they choose to return to Northwest University.

The date of withdrawal will be based on the day that the student contacts the Registrar’s Office and indicates a desire to officially withdraw or the last date of documented attendance, whichever is later. For Financial Aid purposes for students who unofficially withdraw from Northwest University (cease to attend classes without notifying the Regis­trar), they will be considered to have withdrawn after 50% of the semester has passed or the last date of documented attendance, whichever is later.

The Student Accounts Office will determine the eligi­bility for a refund of charges for the semester based on the withdrawal date. Tuition will be charged based upon the withdrawal date. Tuition is charged based on the highest number of credits registered for during the semester.

According to federal regulations, federal funds must be returned to federal programs based on the percent of the term that a student is no longer enrolled. The Financial Aid Services Office will determine how much of a student’s federal aid was “unearned” as defined by the federal regulations, and then return the “unearned” aid to the programs from which the student received aid.

Institutional aid, including but not limited to grants, scholarships, and tuition credits may be fully removed from the student’s account during the semester of withdrawal.

If you have received federal and/or state aid in the form of cash to assist you with non-institutional charges, you may need to repay up to 50% of the grant funds that you received.

For a detailed copy of the refund calculation, please contact the Financial Aid Services Office.

What is S.A.P.?

S.A.P. stands for Satisfactory Academic Progress. You must maintain S.A.P. to remain eligible for Financial Aid. For more details and a copy of the S.A.P. Policy visit your program’s Forms page and check out the link to the S.A.P. Policy.

What is the difference between Financial Aid and Student Accounts?

The Financial Aid Services Office handles the awarding and disbursing of financial aid. Award Letters come from our office. Student Accounts handles charges on student accounts, helping you come up with a payment plan, and collecting payments.