Financial aid
University financing options for COE students as they pursue their degrees in education at NAU
How do you plan to pay for your college education? Will you take out loans, apply for scholarships, apply for the FAFSA? And what is the FAFSA anyway? Find out all about the Northern Arizona University financing options for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Monthly payment plan
NAU offers a monthly payment plan for tuition payments. Visit the Student and Departmental Account Services page for more information.
Student job opportunities
Find out what employment options are offered both at NAU and off campus, by visiting our student jobs page.
NAU scholarships and waivers
Northern Arizona University awards scholarships based on academic merit, financial need and personal background. Scholarships are financial aid awards that do not have to be repaid. Find the scholarship and waiver options by visiting the NAU scholarships and waivers page.
College and departmental scholarships
In addition to NAU level scholarships, we offer more specific scholarships at the college and departmental level. For more information, please visit the COE scholarships webpage.
Out-of-state students receive in-state tuition
Find out if you qualify!
Undergraduate students: Western Undergraduate Exchange Program
Graduate students: Western Regional Graduate Program
Arizona grants—loan forgiveness program for teachers
The Math, Science and Special Education Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program (MSSE) is a student-centered, need-based, forgivable loan designed to financially support and to encourage Arizona resident junior or senior college students to enter into the teaching profession and teach in Arizona. Students must enter into an agreement with the Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education (ACPE) to teach in an Arizona public school for a term equal to the number of years of loan received plus one year. Additionally, students must sign a promissory note acknowledging the conditions of the loan and promising to repay the loan plus interest if the teaching obligation is not met. The financial aid office at the institution must certify that the student meets the minimum qualifications for the loan. Loans are awarded to eligible students on a first-come, first-served basis.
Arizona Special Education teacher recruitment – tuition assistance/reimbursement programs
The Arizona Department of Education Exceptional Student Services Professional Learning and Sustainability unit is offering two “grow your own” opportunities for educators in Arizona public schools.
- The General Education Teacher to Special Education Teacher (GETSET) program provides funding to certified general education teachers who want to pursue a career change to become certified in an area of special education.
- The Special Education Teacher Tuition Assistance (SETTA) program provides funding for tuition assistance to paraprofessionals that leads to special education teaching certification.
NAU’s teacher certification degree programs that qualify for these programs include:
- Early Childhood Special Education
- Mild Moderate Disabilities
Requirements:
- Applicant must have been employed by the Local Education Agency for two full school years.
- Applicant agrees to two full years of teaching in a special education capacity at a Public Education Agency once special education certification is achieved.
Applications for these programs are submitted by the Public Education Agency (i.e., school district). Prospective students meeting the requirements are encouraged to check with the school district where they work to see if they have applied for one or both of these tuition assistance/reimbursement programs. For more information, please see:
After you graduate
Once you’ve earned your degree, there are several financial breaks you can take advantage of as an educator, including grants and loan forgiveness programs: