Applying for Financial Aid is as easy as 1,2,3

Step 1 - Apply

  • Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) each year
  • Complete the NSU Data Form and submit to the NSU Financial Aid office
  • Remember the priority deadline for NSU is May 1
  • Review helpful hints below for applying

Important!
You must complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) for each academic year you would like to receive aid.  To increase your chances of being considered for programs with limited funds, complete and submit the FAFSA as soon after January 1 as possible.

Do not sign and mail your FAFSA before January 1 or it will be rejected.

 

Helpful hints for completing the FAFSA:

  • Read all instructions
  • Use your legal name (as is appears on your Social Security Card)- not nicknames - and your correct social security number
  • If your parents are divorced, you must use the information for the parent you lived with most in the last 12 months. If that parent is remarried, you must also include the stepparent's income. Be sure to provide the information requested about your parents.
  • Make sure you include #002021 on your list of school codes. Also, if you are required to provide parental information, a parent is also required to sign the FAFSA.
  • If you complete the FAFSA electronically, don't forget to sign using your PIN (Personal Identification Number)
  • Allow 2-3 weeks for your FAFSA to be processed. If after 4 weeks you have not received a Student Aid Report (SAR) from the Federal Processor, call them at 1-800-433-3243 (1-800-4FEDAID)
  • Make a copy of your completed FAFSA for your records

 

Step 2 - Complete

Now that you have completed the FAFSA and NSU Data form, the next step is to insure that your financial aid application is complete. In some cases you may have to provide additional information on the FAFSA or submit documentation to our office.

Respond to any requests from the Department of Education quickly!

  • The FAFSA that you submitted is processed by the Central Processing System (CPS) and generates a printed Student Aid Report (SAR)
  • Review your SAR for accuracy
  • Pay particular attention to the information summary in part one and the income figures in part two
  • If corrections are required, revisit fafsa.ed.gov and select "make corrections to a processed FAFSA"

If you do not receive an email directing you to a website where you may view your SAR within four weeks, contact the CPS at 1-800-433-3243 to check on the status of your application.

Respond to any requests from Northwestern State University quickly!
Based on your FAFSA, you may have been selected for verification and we may need additional information to validate your financial aid application. If additional information is requested, you will receive a letter from our office indicating the item(s) needed to complete your file.

Some of the more common documentation requests include: 

  • Dependent Verification Worksheet
  • Independent Verification Worksheet
  • Verification of Low Income
  • Asset Worksheet
  • Parents signed Tax Return and W2's
  • Students signed Tax Return and W2's
  • Verification of Social Security information
  • Verification of Selective Service registration

 

Step 3 - Review

Once your financial aid application file is complete, you will receive a Financial Aid Award letter. This letter indicates the awards you are eligible for at this time.  It also contains information regarding each individual award.

  • Review your award letter carefully
  • If your award includes loans, you may need to complete and submit the applicable Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling