Step-by-step guide to financial aid for undergraduates

Step 1: Know the important dates and deadlines

Stay informed and stress less. Review the important financial aid deadlines and take the next step towards securing your funding.

Step 2: Start with the FAFSA

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is your first and most important step. It’s how you unlock federal grants, work-study, and many scholarships.

There are a few important things to know about the FAFSA:

• You will file your FAFSA every year you are enrolled.
• FAFSA opens for filing every October 1.
• NAU’s priority deadline is April 1.
• You can file your FAFSA before you're officially admitted to NAU.
• Use NAU's school code: 001082.

If you’re not eligible to complete the FAFSA, you can file the CSS Profile using NAU school code 4006.

Step 3: Estimate your total cost

Use our Net Price Calculator to get a personalized estimate of your tuition, fees, and potential scholarships based on your individual information.

Step 4: Review your financial aid offer

Once admitted, you’ll receive a financial aid offer from NAU that will available for your review in LOUIE. It will list any scholarships, grants, and other aid you qualify for. Review it closely to know if you’ll need extra scholarships or loans.

Step 5: Explore aid opportunities

Federal and state aid

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)

With WUE, eligible students from western states automatically get up to 40% off NAU’s out-of-state tuition.

Freshman tuition scholarships

Apply to NAU as a first-year student and complete your FAFSA to be automatically considered for freshman tuition scholarships, no extra steps needed.

Transfer tuition scholarships

Apply to NAU as a transfer student and complete your FAFSA to be automatically considered for the transfer tuition scholarships.

Federal Pell Grants

Pell Grants are need-based aid for first-time undergrads that you don’t have to repay, and once you submit your FAFSA, any amount you qualify for will appear in your NAU financial aid offer and LOUIE account.

Access2Excellence (A2E)

A2E makes NAU tuition-free for eligible Arizona students and all members of Arizona’s 22 federally recognized tribes at our Flagstaff and statewide campuses.

Arizona Promise Program

The Arizona Promise Program covers any remaining NAU tuition and required fees for eligible first-year Arizona students after other aid is applied, making college even more accessible and affordable.

Scholarships and specialized aid

Scholarships

Use ScholarshipUniverse to find and apply for additional NAU and private scholarships. It matches you with opportunities based on your background and interests. For private scholarships, be sure checks from third-party donors arrive by July 1 (for fall) or Dec. 1 (for spring).

AmeriCorps

Turn your AmeriCorps service into college support. If you’ve earned a Segal Education Award, you can use it to help pay for your tuition or qualifying expenses at NAU.

Nursing program loans

Upper-level nursing students at NAU may qualify for dedicated nursing program loan funding to help with the cost of tuition and clinical training.

Aid for Indigenous Lumberjacks

Additional tuition coverage and aid for Indigenous students from Arizona’s 22 federally recognized tribes may be available at NAU’s Flagstaff and Statewide campuses.

Self-help opportunities

Work study

The Federal Work-Study program at NAU gives eligible students a chance to earn money and build experience.

Direct loans

Direct loans are federal student loans offered by the U.S. Department of Education to help eligible students cover the cost of higher education.

Federal PLUS loans

PLUS loans are federal loans designed to help cover college expenses when scholarships, grants, and other aid don’t cover the total bill.

Private loans

Private loans come from banks, credit unions, or other lenders, and should only be considered after you've explored all other financial aid options.

A few important reminders

Check your LOUIE to-do list and email often so you don't miss updates and required steps.

Keep your eligibility by maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).

Know the deadlines and when aid is disbursed (typically 10 days before classes start).

Haven’t applied to NAU yet?

Submit your undergraduate application when you’re ready. Starting your FAFSA early can still help you get the most aid possible.

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.