Financial aid for parents

Helping your student afford NAU: A financial aid guide for parents and families

As your student gets ready to begin their college journey at Northern Arizona University, understanding the financial aid process can make a big difference. Here’s what you need to know to support them.

Step 1: Complete the FAFSA early

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the starting point for all financial aid. This is a mandatory step for every student seeking financial aid.

Even before your student is admitted, you can submit the FAFSA using NAU’s school code: 001082.

• The FAFSA opens each year on October 1
• Priority deadline: April 1
• You’ll need to provide tax and income information from 2 years prior, so have those documents handy
• The FAFSA must be completed every year your student is in college

Note: If your student is undocumented and not eligible for FAFSA, they may be able to complete the CSS Profile (NAU’s code: 4006) to be considered for other aid.

Step 2: Prepare for upcoming deadlines

Applying to college, getting accepted, and managing financial aid can feel overwhelming. To help you stay on track, check our important dates and deadlines so you don’t miss anything.

Step 3: Estimate your costs

Would you like to see a personalized estimate of what it might cost to attend NAU? Our Net Price Calculator gives you a custom estimate. This is a useful tool to plan ahead and avoid surprises.

Step 4: Understand the financial aid offer

Once your student submits the FAFSA and is admitted to NAU, they’ll receive a financial aid offer.
This will outline any scholarships, loan options, and aid programs such as grants and work study programs.

Step 5: Explore ScholarshipUniverse

In addition to automatic scholarships, NAU students can apply for others through ScholarshipUniverse, NAU’s scholarship search tool.

If your student receives scholarships from outside organizations, checks should be sent to NAU by:

• July 1 for fall semester
• December 1 for spring semester

Step 6: Stay connected and informed

Encourage your student to:

• Explore financial aid options for summer or winter sessions, if they plan to take classes during those terms
• Regularly check their LOUIE To Do List and both their NAU and personal email
• Respond promptly to any verification requests (a process where the university may ask for more information)

Financial aid disbursement, eligibility, and support for parents

Stay connected with the Lumberjack Family Hub

The Lumberjack Family Hub is your go-to resource as a parent or family member of a Northern Arizona University student. Whether your student is just exploring NAU or already enrolled, the hub helps you stay informed and involved. You’ll find updates on financial aid and deadlines, campus events, helpful resources, and practical tips for supporting your student every step of the way.

Understand how financial aid is disbursed

Once financial aid is awarded, it’s applied to your student’s account in a set order, starting with tuition and fees, then housing, meal plans, and other charges. If the aid amount exceeds the total charges, your student will receive a refund. To help avoid delays, make sure they complete all LOUIE To Do List items and set up direct deposit for faster access to any remaining funds.

Keep your aid: Academic progress requirements

Your student’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) status impacts their financial aid eligibility. It’s important that both students and parents understand the SAP status requirements and the action(s) needed to remain eligible for federal and state financial aid.

Get familiar with LOUIE

We encourage you to work closely with your student to understand how to navigate LOUIE (Lumberjack Online University Information Environment), NAU’s student portal.

Through LOUIE, students can access important academic, financial, and personal information, like class schedules, grades, financial aid, and billing details. Learning how to use this system together can help your student stay organized and on top of key deadlines throughout their college journey.

Questions? We’re here to help

NAU’s Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid are here to support you and your student throughout this process. Contact our office with any questions.

• Phone: 928-523-4951
• Email: financial.aid@nau.edu