Northern Arizona University

Financial Resources Through NAU

We have three broad categories of financial assistance available to graduate students: assistantships and tuition waivers; employment, loans, and scholarships; and veterans benefits for those who qualify.

In accordance with Arizona law, any person who is a citizen or legal resident of the US or who is lawfully present in the US may be eligible for specified financial aid from the university.  Arizona law classifies any person who is a US citizen or who has lawful immigration status and is an Arizona resident as an in-state student for tuition purposes.

• Graduate Assistantships and Tuition Waivers
  • Graduate Assistantships
  • Graduate Assistantship Policy Handbook
  • Non-Academic Graduate Assistantships
  • Tuition Waivers
• Employment Programs, Loans, and Scholarships
  • Employment Programs
  • Loan Programs
  • Scholarships
  • Veterans Educational Benefits
  • Additional Information

Graduate Assistantships and Tuition Waivers

Graduate assistantships and tuition waivers are awarded on the basis of academic merit or your ability to perform specific services. You apply for these awards through your department of study or the support unit that offers them.

Graduate Assistantships. Assistantships are available through most departments that offer graduate programs, and are awarded with stipends that vary by discipline and duties. Graduate assistants normally work 20 hours per week, and must be enrolled in at least nine, but not more than twelve credit hours per semester. All assistantships requiring at least ten hours of work per week include a waiver of the nonresident portion of tuition. Graduate assistants who work 20 hours per week receive a waiver of 50% of resident tuition and a waiver of the student health insurance premium. Graduate assistants who work 10-19 hours per week receive a waiver of 25% of resident tuition. All graduate assistants are expected to pay other applicable fees.

Contact your intended department of study for information about how to apply for an assistantship and deadlines.

Non-Academic Graduate Assistantships. Non-academic graduate assistantships are available in support units of NAU, such as Residence Life, University Advisement Center, Institute for Human Development, and others. 

Tuition Waivers. Waivers of resident tuition are available to Arizona residents and waivers of the nonresident portion of tuition are available to nonresidents of Arizona. Apply for these waivers through your department of study.

Employment Programs, Loans, and Scholarships

This category is comprised of assistance that may be based on your demonstrated financial need, and you can obtain applications for these awards through the Office of Student Financial Aid. Note that to be considered for federal or state aid, including loans and other need-based programs, you must: be degree-seeking by NAU graduate admissions standards; submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (allow four to six weeks to process); have a complete financial aid file with the NAU Office of Student Financial Aid; and follow Satisfactory Academic Progress credit-hour limit and deficient-hour guidelines as outlined in the SAP brochure available from the Office of Student Financial Aid, in your award packet, and on the financial aid web site.

Employment Programs. Employment opportunities are offered on and off campus for students wishing to meet a portion of their educational expenses through working, which may provide invaluable work experience as well as income. You are encouraged to pursue employment opportunities on your own and through NAU-contracted employers. Please note that graduate students receiving a graduate assistantship who also wish to work in a student wage or federal work-study job must get approval from the Graduate College.

You may locate the most current NAU student employment job listings on the financial aid home page and on job boards provided by the following on-campus employment services:

Student wage employment positions are not need based and are available campus-wide for all NAU students enrolled at least half time. Student wage job boards are located on the first floor of the University Union and on the third floor of the Gammage Building. Prospective employers have the necessary employment applications.

The Federal Work Study Program is a need-based employment program for full-time students. NAU lists employment opportunities available on campus and arranges jobs off campus in qualifying agencies such as the Museum of Northern Arizona and the Coconino National Forest. Federal work study job boards are located on the first floor of the University Union and on the third floor of the Gammage Building.

Off-Campus Employment is a federally-funded employment service that is free to employers and available to all enrolled students regardless of financial need. Positions available may be local or nationwide and include part-time, volunteer, full-time, temporary, winter/summer seasonal, internships, and co-op jobs. Information on Off-Campus Employment opportunities is available in resource binders in Room 232 of the University Union.

Loan Programs. Federal Direct Student Loans are low-interest, need-based and non-need-based loans offered by the federal government. The variable interest rate is capped at 8.25 percent; for the current rate, check with the Office of Student Financial Aid. You may borrow a maximum of $18,500 per year not to exceed the determined NAU cost of attendance, less other aid or resources to be received.

You may not borrow more than the NAU annual cost of attendance less other financial aid and resources. Please consider employment and only borrow what you need.

Lifetime limits for graduate students are $65,500 (subsidized) and $73,000 (unsubsidized).

Once you are awarded a Federal Direct Loan, the Office of Student Financial Aid will mail you a loan promissory note. If you wish to accept the loan, you must submit the completed promissory note to Student Business Services located on the first floor of the Gammage Building or mail to PO Box 4079, Flagstaff, AZ 86011-4079.

For Federal Direct Loan questions, please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid and request a federal student guide or call the Direct Loan Servicing Center at 1-800-848-0979.

The Federal Perkins Loan is a low-interest (five percent) need-based educational loan with limited availability. The Office of Student Financial Aid determines eligibility and awards the loan as funds become available. For awarding information, contact the Office of Student Financial Aid. For questions about Federal Perkins Loan repayment or general information, please contact NAU Student Business Services at 520-523-3122.

Scholarships. A limited number of scholarships are available through the Office of Student Financial Aid. The Scholarship Brochure and application are available in October via the World Wide Web or through the Office of Student Financial Aid. The deadline for application submission is March 1.

Veterans Educational Benefits. Services include assistance in applying for all veterans' benefits, educational counseling, tutorial assistance, and various referral services. If you are eligible, or wish to find out if you're eligible, apply at NAU's Office of Veterans Services (Gammage Building, room 312D, in Flagstaff). You can also write to PO Box 4110, Flagstaff, AZ 86011-4110 or call (928) 523-4931.

Additional Information. For more information about financial aid or employment programs administered by the Office of Student Financial Aid, please contact them at Northern Arizona University, PO Box 4108 Flagstaff, AZ 86011-4108, phone (928) 523-4951, fax (928) 523-1551, or e-mail Financial.Aid@nau.edu.