Federal Financial Aid
National American University (NAU) offers a quality, personalized private education at an affordable cost. NAU has consistently remained one of the least expensive among private universities. Affordability options are available for every family.
NAU recognizes that many students would be unable to pursue their educational goals without financial assistance. NAU provides financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, work study, and low-interest loan programs through federal, state and local sources.
We will be communicating frequently regarding your financial aid in the form of e-mail or through the student portal. Please be sure to check your e-mail and the portal frequently.
Because of the limited amount of funds in certain programs, it is imperative that you complete and return/submit your financial aid applications as soon as possible.
If you have any outside resources helping you pay your educational expenses or the amount of the outside resources have changed since last year please notify your Campus Financial Service Representative by e-mail (see listing at bottom of page). Outsides Resources include Scholarships, non-federal grants (BIA, Tribal Assistance, etc.) Military Tuition Assistance (active duty, reserve, guards), Company Tuition Assistance, Vocational Rehabilitation benefits, private alternative loans, Work Force Investment Act (WIA), Training Assistance Act (TAA), gifts, etc.
2011/12 Financial Aid Process
If you meet any of these conditions below (you can say YES to any one of these questions), you are considered an Independent Student and will have to provide information for you, your spouse, and children. If you do not meet any of these conditions, you are considered a Dependent Student and will have to provide information for you and your parents household.
- Were you born before January 1, 1988?
- As of today, are you married (including separated but not divorced)?
- As of July 1, 2011 will you be working on a Master's Degree?
- 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 receive at least half their financial support from you between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012?
- Do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and receive more than half their financial support from you now and through June 30, 2012?
- At any time since you turned age 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care, or were you a dependent or ward of the court (not ward of the state)?
- Are you or were you an emancipated minor as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?
- At any time on or after July 1, 2010, 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, 2010, did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing 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, 2010, 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?
Click on the appropriate checklist for the financial aid forms and further information NAU needs from you to process your financial aid. The checklist will tell you which forms and information is needed and how to submit them.
2011/12 Dependent Checklist
2011/12 Independent Checklist
For further information on:
- Federal Student Aid Programs
- Federal Student Loans
- Student Loan Repayment Calculator
- Solutions to Student Loan Repayment Problems
Scholarships
NAU Scholarships Undergraduate:
NAU Affiliate Degree Completion Program Scholarship (Distance Learning Students only)
NAU Affiliate Student Academic Partnership Scholarship (Distance Learning Students only)
NAU Corporate Undergraduate Scholarship Program (All Campuses)
NAU Graduate of Community College or Technical Training Scholarship (All Campuses)
NAU Research Scholarship (All Campuses)
NAU Taller San Jose Scholarship (Distance Learning Students only)
NAU Scholarships Graduate:
HDB Graduate School Scholarship (All Campuses)
NAU Affiliate Graduate Education Program Scholarship (Distance Learning Students only)
NAU Affiliate IBC Graduate Education Program Scholarship (Distance Learning Students only)
NAU Corporate Graduate Scholarship Program (All Campuses)
The following sites are free scholarship searches:
www.fastweb.com
www.scholarships.com
www.petersons.com/finaid/file.asp?id=780
www.collegeboard.com/student/pay
www.scholarshipexperts.com
www.findtuition.com/scholarships
Nursing scholarship site:
www.nursingscholarship.us
Need further financing?
A private loan is a much better option than a credit card. However, you want to make sure that you have exhausted all of your other financial aid options before deciding a private loan is necessary, such as Federal Financial Aid, Scholarships, and other aid such as state aid or even your savings. Grants and scholarships don't generally have to be paid back and Federal Student Loans generally offer low interest rates as well as flexible repayment and consolidation options. Have you submitted your Free Application for Federal Student Aid? Have you received your Financial Aid Award Letter?
Only if you have exhausted all of your federal options, scholarships and other aid should you consider a private loan.
Once you have completed your private loan application and passed the required credit check, turn your Private Loan Self Certification Form into your Campus Financial Service Representative.
Below is a link to FASTChoice, the starting place to apply for a Private Loan. It contains a list of Private Loans and borrower benefits available from certain lenders. You have the right to choose any lender you wish to make your loan, even if you have used a different lender for one or more previous loans.
Campus Contact Information
If you have any questions or need assistance completing these applications, please do not hesitate to contact your campus financial services representative. You may also e-mail your campus financial services representative using the appropriate e-mail address below.