Financial aid dates and deadlines
Don’t miss a deadline! Stay ahead of key financial aid and scholarship dates, from FAFSA to funding appeals.
FAFSA, federal aid, and financial forms
Use this section to make note of key dates and deadlines for FAFSA, accepting loans, and submitting financial aid forms.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- FAFSA opens October 1.
- NAU’s FAFSA preferred filing date is April 15.
- We will continue to award beyond these dates as funds are available.
- Students are encouraged to complete their FAFSA as early as possible for access to the most funding options.
Federal loan deadlines
| Loan type | Deadline to accept | Last date to award |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 | May 1, 2026 | May 1, 2026 |
| Summer 2026 only | – | July 27, 2026 |
| Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 | April 30, 2027 | April 30, 2027 |
Federal PLUS loan application deadlines
| Term | Term dates | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 | August 2025–May 2026 | May 1, 2026 |
| Spring 2026 only | January–May 2026 | May 1, 2026 |
| Summer 2026 | May–August 2026 | One Big Beautiful Bill impacts |
TEACH Grant application deadlines
| Term | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall | October 1 |
| Spring | March 1 |
Consortium agreements
To ensure processing before financial aid disbursement, submit completed consortium agreements by the deadlines below:
| Term | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall | August 1 |
| Spring | December 1 |
| Summer | April 1 |
The final deadline to submit a consortium agreement is 7 days before the 100% tuition refund date.
Once you apply and receive your NAU credentials, specific term dates are available on Student and Departmental Account Services.
Scholarships and grants
Track important dates for merit scholarships, transfer awards, tribal support, and more. These deadlines can make a big difference in how much you receive, so mark your calendar!
NAU Foundation and other scholarships
Most NAU Foundation and additional scholarships open in January and close in April.
First-year tuition scholarship requirements and deadlines
Want to lock in your scholarship? Be sure to:
- Accept your offer of admission
- Pay your enrollment fee
- Submit your final high school transcripts immediately after graduation
Transfer scholarship deadlines
| Action | Fall deadline | Spring deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Submit FAFSA | April 1 | Dec. 1 |
| Accept admission and pay fee | June 1 | Dec. 1 |
Tribal scholarships
Indigenous students may be eligible for scholarships or educational support through their tribal nation or organization. The deadlines below are provided for reference, but students should always connect with their tribal office for complete details and official dates.
Updated: 01/2025
Financial aid disbursement timeline
NAU begins disbursing financial aid 10 days before the start of each term, including summer. Disbursements run Monday through Saturday.
Tuition and fees payment deadline for Fall 2026
Tuition, housing and/or meal plan charges
July 2026: Students with tuition, housing and/or meal plan charges will receive an electronic invoice. All monthly bills will be created electronically on LOUIE and students will be notified by an email sent to their NAU email address. Schedule changes made after this billing will not generate another electronic statement. If you have any changes to your class schedule, please check LOUIE for new charges that may be posted to your account.
Tuition/fees payment deadline
August 17, 2026: Tuition/fees payment deadline for students registered on or before August 17th. Any balance not covered by financial aid is due August 17, 2026.
Enrolled students who have tuition and fees balance of more than $500 by this date not covered by financial aid will automatically be placed on a Tuition Payment Plan and charged the non-refundable $150 service fee. The payment plan divides the total tuition balance into two or three equal monthly payments.
Tuition/fees payment deadline for students registering AFTER August 17, 2026 is due the same day. Enrolled students who have tuition and fees balance of more than $500 not covered by financial aid will automatically be placed on a Tuition Payment Plan and charged the non-refundable $150 service fee.
Financial aid refunding also begins on August 17. After financial aid pays eligible term charges, excess money is refunded by direct deposit or with a check by mail.
Important payment dates
Keep track of your upcoming payments by viewing NAU's payment deadlines per semester.
Payment methods
We offer a variety of payment options to help make paying for college easier and more manageable.
Payment plan
If you are unable to pay in full by the tuition payment deadlines, we offer a payment plan to help you budget your education.
Late enrollment fee
August 24, 2026: A $50 late enrollment fee will apply to students who are enrolling in their first 16-week class on or after this date.
Census fee
September 15, 2026: A $100 census fee will apply to students’ account if adding a 16-week session course on or after this date.
Appeals and aid adjustments
Need to file an appeal or request reinstatement? These are the deadlines for changes related to aid, scholarships, or academic progress.
- Appeals may take up to 15 business days, and approval is not guaranteed.
- Processing may take longer during peak periods (August–September).
Contribution appeals
| Term | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Academic year and spring | April 10 |
Cost of Attendance appeals
| Term | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Academic year and spring | April 1 |
Satisfactory academic progress (SAP) appeals
| Term | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall | November 1 |
| Spring | April 1 |
| Summer | July 1 |
Scholarship reinstatement request deadlines
| Term | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall | November 1 |
| Spring | April 1 |
Have questions?
Incoming students: Contact Admissions at admissions@nau.edu or 928-523-5511.
Continuing students: Contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid (OSFA) at financial.aid@nau.edu or 928-523-4951.
We’re here to help!