Frequently Asked Questions

Graduate & Professional Studies Program Financial Aid Information

How do I apply for financial aid?
You need to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and you can do so at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. You will need a PIN number to sign your FAFSA, and you can get this at http://www.pin.ed.gov/.  If you are a dependent student, your parent will also need a PIN number and will need to sign your FAFSA.

What is the FAFSA?
The FAFSA is the form that the U.S. Department of Education uses to determine your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and your eligibility for Federal Financial Aid. Northwest Christian University will use the information from the FAFSA to determine your eligibility for need based institutional aid.

What is the Expected Family Contribution?
The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is a figure determined by the U.S. Department of Education from your FAFSA information that signifies a families relative ability to pay for college. The EFC does not represent the amount that your family will have to pay for college in a given year, only the ability that a family could afford to pay as determined by the Federal Government.

Do I need to reapply for financial aid every year?
If you are planning on using financial aid for the upcoming year, then you must reapply by filling out a renewal FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The renewal FAFSA becomes available on January 1st of each year, and Northwest Christian University strongly encourages students to fill out the FAFSA as early in January as possible.

Can I still fill out a FAFSA even if my taxes are not done yet?
Yes, you may fill out the FAFSA using estimated amounts for what you earned in the previous calendar year. As soon as you complete your taxes you need to update your FAFSA with the current information.

Wouldn't it be better for me to fill out the FAFSA after I have completed my taxes?
Some scholarships require that you have filled out the FAFSA by a certain deadline, so Northwest Christian University recommends that you fill out the FAFSA as soon as you can to make sure that you are considered for every scholarship that you would qualify for. Also, there are some types of aid that are very limited and are given out on a first come first served basis. To make sure that you receive the maximum amount of aid that you can, it is in your best interests to fill the FAFSA out early.

I received a student aid report that says I have been selected for verification. What do I need to do?
You must submit the verification worksheet that will be mailed to you with a signed copy of your previous year's Federal Tax Forms (1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, and associated W-2's). If you are married, please be sure to include your spouse's information.

What happens if my financial aid is greater than the cost of attendance?
If you have more financial aid than your charges, the billing department will issue you a refund in the amount that your aid exceeds your charges. To find out when you will receive your refund and how much it will be, contact the Billing Department at 541-684-7213.

Will Financial Aid cover all the costs?
Financial aid is available to assist students who qualify with the costs associated with the program. Award amounts are not guaranteed and are subject to change.  To determine your eligibility, please complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and list Northwest Christian University in Step Six. Our school code is 003208.

Will my financial aid be affected if I drop in and out of the program?
Yes, dropping in and out of the program will affect the financial aid available to you. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid at 541.684.7221 to determine the financial implications associated with your enrollment plans.

Will my financial aid be affected if I take extra courses?
In some cases, adding extra courses could increase your financial aid. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid at 541.684.7221 to determine the financial implications associated with your enrollment plans.

When will the disbursements of my financial aid be made to my account?
Financial aid is applied to your Northwest Christian student account within the first two weeks of each semester if all required documents and eligibility requirements are met at least three weeks prior to the start of the term, otherwise delays may occur.

Is reapplying for financial aid difficult?
Reapplying for financial aid is not difficult. You will be notified from the Office of Financial Aid at the beginning of each calendar year to reapply and the documents required for the financial aid process.

Who do I call if I have questions about my financial aid?
James Hadley, Financial Aid Counselor
541-684-7221     jhadley@northwestchristian.edu

David Haggard, Director of Financial Aid
541-684-7218     dhaggard@northwestchristian.edu

FAX: 541-684-7300