Financial Aid Programs
Financial Aid Programs Available at National University
Grants
Federal Pell Grant
This grant program helps students with tuition cost. This program assists students who are working toward a first bachelor’s degree.
Award Range for 2022-2023 Award Year: $692 to $6895
Applications: FAFSA
The Federal Pell Grant Program is an entitlement program for students pursuing their first undergraduate degree. Students must demonstrate financial need to qualify. Students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree are not eligible for Federal Pell Grant funds.
The Federal Pell Grant Program is federally funded with the purpose of helping financially needy students meet the cost of postsecondary education. This program is centrally administered by the federal government and is typically the foundation of an undergraduate student’s aid package.
In order to determine eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant, National University must receive the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in the form of a valid Institutional Student Information Report (ISIR) from the Department of Education’s Central Processing Service (CPS). The Federal Pell Grant Scheduled Award is based upon the official Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and the Federal Pell Grant Cost of Attendance (COA). National University uses Pell Formula 4 to determine a student’s eligibility and award. Students may be eligible to receive up to 150% of their Pell Grant Scheduled Award for an award year. This provision is called “Year-Round Pell” or “additional Pell”. Students eligible for Year-Round Pell awards are subject to the normal duration of eligibility rules and LEU limits. A student’s maximum duration of Pell Grant eligibility is six scheduled awards, as measured by the percentage of lifetime eligibility used (one scheduled award equals 100% lifetime eligibility used). A student is ineligible to receive further Pell Grant funds if they have reached or exceeded the 600% limit.
All Undergraduate students enrolled at National University are considered to be full-time students for purposes of calculating the Federal Pell Grant Scheduled Award.The amount of Federal Pell Grant awarded is based upon the length of the payment periods to be funded and the EFC indicated on the student’s valid SAR/ISIR.The portion of the enrollment that is funded based upon a particular year’s SAR/ISIR depends upon the student’s payment periods that begin in that year. Payment periods are normally funded from the year in which they begin.
When a payment period falls into two award years (crosses over July 1st), it is called a “crossover payment period”. National University will assign crossover payment periods to the award year that best meets the needs of its students and maximizes a student’s eligibility over the two award years in which the crossover payment period occurs.
For an academic year, the student is awarded the full Federal Pell Grant Scheduled Award determined by the EFC and COA. When less than a full academic year is to be funded, the Scheduled Award is prorated appropriately.
Federal Pell Grant funds are generally scheduled for disbursement at the beginning of each course, or payment period, in conjunction with the achievement of Satisfactory Academic Progress. The funds scheduled represent, at maximum, funding for all credits that should be earned during the payment periods to be funded from the appropriate award year.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
This grant program assists with tuition cost. Like Pell Grant, a student must be enrolled in a first bachelor’s degree. Awards are made on a limited basis to students with an exceptional financial need.
Award range: $100 to $1,200
Applications: FAFSA
Federal Work Study (FWS)
This program provides funds for part-time employment to help finance the costs of postsecondary education. Employment is available for graduate and undergraduate students with financial need. FWS provides financial aid on a monthly basis as earnings. Opportunities to participate in the FWS program exist in various schools and departments at locations across National University. For more information and for available positions, visit the NU website at https://www.nu.edu/Admissions/Financial-Aid-and-Scholarships/federal-work-study-program/.
Cal Grant A
Cal Grant A is a state funded grant program to help students with tuition cost. Grant recipients are selected on the basis of financial need and grade point average. Students must be California residents working towards a first bachelor’s degree. Recipients of this award will be notified by the California Student Aid commission in June.
Award: Up to $9,220 at National University
Applications: FAFSA, GPA verification
Application deadline: March 2
Date funding begins: October 1
Cal Grant B
Cal Grant B is a state funded grant program to help students with tuition cost. This program is intended to assist students with high potential from disadvantaged, low-income families. Students must be California residents who have completed less than one semester of undergraduate studies. Recipients of this award will be notified by the California Student Aid Commission in June.
Award: Up to $10,868 at National University
Subsistence range: $100 to $12,112
Applications: FAFSA, GPA verification
Application deadline: March 2
Date funding begins: October 1
TEACH Grant
The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant Program (TEACH) provides grants of up to $4,000 per year (based on sequestration laws) to students who intend to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school in a high-need field that serves students from low-income families. The TEACH Grant requires a four-year teaching commitment within eight years of graduating, or else the grants will convert to Direct Unsubsidized Loans.
Award range: Up to $3,772
Loans
Federal Subsidized Direct Loan
This loan program assists undergraduate students with educational expenses. Interest doesn’t accrue while you are attending and enrolled in at least a half time status. The interest rate and origination fees are fixed. More information about specific interest and origination rates can be found at https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/interest-rates. Repayment is not required while you are attending school and maintain at least half-time enrollment. Students are allowed a six month grace period when they cease attendance or attend less than half time. More information about loan repayment can be found at https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment.
Subsidized Direct Loan Amount: For each academic year, a student may borrow:
- Up to $3,500 as a first-year undergraduate
- Up to $4,500 as a second-year undergraduate
- Up to $5,500 as a third-, fourth-, or fifth-year undergraduate
- Date funding begins is based on each student’s individual program of study.
Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan
This program is available to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students to assist with educational expenses. Interest accrues while you are attending. More information about specific interest and origination rates can be found at https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/interest-rates. Repayment is not required while you are attending school and maintain at least half-time enrollment. Students are allowed a six month grace period when they cease attendance or attend less than half time. More information about loan repayment can be found at https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment.”
Unsubsidized Direct Loan Amount: For each academic year, a student may borrow:
- Up to $9,500 as a first-year undergraduate
- Up to $10,500 as a second-year undergraduate
- Up to $12,500 as a third-, fourth-, or fifth-year undergraduate
- Up to $12,500 as a fifth-year undergraduate credential student
- Up to $20,500 as a graduate student
- Up to $33,000 as a graduate student in certain health professions
Dependent students’ Direct Unsubsidized Loan amount eligibility may vary.
Aggregate Direct Loan Limits
Dependent Undergraduate: $31,000 ($23,000 maximum subsidized)
Independent Undergraduate: $57,500 ($23,000 maximum subsidized)
Graduate: $138,500 ($65,500 in subsidized Direct)
Graduate in Certain Health Professions: $224,000 ($65,500 in subsidized Direct)
Note: The graduate debt limit includes any Direct Loans borrowed as an undergraduate. View your borrowed loan amounts at https://nslds.ed.gov/nslds/nslds_SA/
Fees
Federal Direct Loan origination fees vary depending on when your aid is disbursed. For specific rates and amounts, please visit this link.
Federal PLUS Loans
Federal PLUS Loans are available to parents of dependent undergraduate students and graduate or professional students to assist with educational expenses not covered with other financial aid. PLUS loans aren’t based on need and require a credit check. For specific information on PLUS Loan interest rates and origination fees, please visit this link.
Note: Award ranges and aid types are tentative. Students or parents of students who enter into an agreement regarding a Title IV HEA loan, the loan will be submitted to NSLDS and accessible by authorized agencies, lenders, and institutions [HEOA 489 amended HEA Sec. 485B]