Northern Arizona University

7. Other federal student aid at a glance

Grants

All grants, other than Pell, are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and do not have to be repaid.  Native American students are encouraged to apply for both federal and state financial aid as well as grants or scholarships offered through tribal offices and/or Bureau of Indian Affairs agencies.

Additionally, students who qualify for the Federal Pell Grant may also qualify for the Federal Academic Competitive Grant (ACG) or the Science and Mathematics to Retain Talent (SMART) grant.  To find out more information and eligibility requirements for these two grants, visit nau.edu/studentgrants .

Need-based:  Pell Grant, Supplemental Opportunity Grant (SEOG), ACG and SMART Grants, Leverage Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP), Financial Aid Trust, University Grant.

Work-study

Through the need-based federal work-study program, you can earn more money to pay for college while gaining valuable work experience.  Students in this program work an average of 15 hours per week in campus jobs, and earn at least minimum wage.  Examples of jobs include office assistant, computer operator, library aide, and tutor. 

Loans

Federal student loans are borrowed money that must be repaid.  These loans are appealing because they can be repaid over a long period of time and have relatively low interest rates. 

Different types of loans are available.  Need-based loans take into consideration a student's financial need.  Non-need-based loans use factors other than financial need to determine eligibility.  Subsidized loans are interest-free while the student is enrolled, and unsubsidized loans accrue interest while the student is enrolled.

The Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) is available to parents of dependent undergraduate students to help pay for educational costs after other financial aid has been awarded. 

Need-based:  Subsidized Federal Direct Loan, Federal Perkins Loan, nursing loans

Non-need-based:  Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan, Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)

Step 8: Help and Answers