Student Aid

General Student Aid Eligibility

To be eligible for Federal Student Aid funds, a student must meet the criteria listed below. The University ensures that eligibility requirements are met before the disbursement of aid occurs. A student must:

• Be enrolled as a regular student in an eligible program.
• Not be enrolled simultaneously in elementary or secondary school.
• Have a high school diploma or recognized equivalent of a high school diploma.
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
• Have a valid Social Security Number with the Social Security Administration.
• Not owe an overpayment on any Title IV funds or be in default on a Title IV educational loan unless satisfactory arrangements are made to repay or otherwise resolve the overpayment or default.
• Have not obtained loan amounts that exceed aggregate loan limits made under any Title IV loan program unless satisfactory arrangements are made.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP), as defined by the university Financial Aid Office.
• Complete the verification process, if selected to do so.

Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and have the results sent to the University. Once the results are received by the University, they are reviewed to ensure that the student meets all eligibility criteria. If a student is deemed ineligible due to one of the above issues, the Student Financial Services team will notify the student of the steps needed to resolve the issue.

Forbearance and Deferment Options

Students and applicants with pre-existing student loan debt seeking financial relief while continuing their education should contact their lenders to discuss forbearance or other deferment options.

Forbearance may be granted at the lender’s discretion for a variety of reasons. The terms and conditions of forbearance are determined by each individual lender and may vary from student to student based upon loan indebtedness, past payment history, or other factors deemed appropriate by the lender.

Student Loan Deferment

Federally subsidized Direct Loan borrowers are eligible for a federal interest subsidy whereby the federal government, rather than the student, pays the interest on a student’s outstanding loan during the time the student is in school. During an authorized deferment of repayment, unsubsidized borrowers are eligible for the same deferment as subsidized borrowers. However, a deferment for an unsubsidized borrower only applies to the principal loan amount. Deferments for Grad and Parent PLUS applicants vary. Once a month, the University submits student enrollment data to the National Student Clearinghouse, which reduces the number of deferment forms students need to complete. Students who receive a letter, statement, or a deferment form from a servicer must complete and submit the form as instructed.

To be eligible for loan deferment, students must be in attendance at least half-time and meet one of the following:

• Have completed at least the first class in their enrollment.

OR

• Be in attendance in the first class of their enrollment and the ninth day of the session must have passed.

Deferment forms cannot be processed until students have started their program of study. The University cannot accommodate students who request deferment forms prior to beginning their program. Deferment forms are only certified for the official class dates of enrollment and are based on enrollment status up to the time of reporting. The University provides servicers with data on student status but does not grant or deny deferment. The Clearinghouse only reports enrollment status to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) for Direct/PLUS borrowers. This reporting does not apply to private education loan or NU-HELP borrowers, who should coordinate with their lender for deferment options and next steps. For further clarification of enrollment status and certification, see the Definition of Student Status  in the Academic and University Policies  section of this catalog.

Financial Aid Programs and Assistance

National University (NU) offers eligible students access to Federal loan and grant programs.

Federal Pell Grant

Description: The Federal Pell Grant is a need-based grant from the U.S. Department of Education that helps low-income undergraduate students pay for college. Unlike loans, it does not have to be repaid. Award amounts vary each year based on financial need, program of study, cost of attendance, and enrollment intensity (full-time vs. part-time).

Award Amounts:

• 2025-2026: $740 to $7,395
• 2026-2027: $740 to $7,395

Award Eligibility:

• Must be an undergraduate student (no prior bachelor’s or professional degree).
• Must demonstrate financial need through the FAFSA.
• Must meet all federal eligibility criteria.
• Must be enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program.
• Must maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP).
• Limited to 150% of annual award per award year.
• Limited to 600% Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU).

Federal Direct Loan Program

Direct Subsidized Loan

Description: Direct Subsidized Loans are federal student loans for undergraduate students with financial need. The U.S. Department of Education pays the interest while the student is enrolled at least half-time, during the grace period, and during approved deferment periods.

Award Amounts:

• 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

Eligibility Criteria: To qualify for a Direct Subsidized Loan, a student must:

• Demonstrate financial need as determined by the FAFSA.
• Complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Counseling (EC).
• Be an undergraduate student.
• Be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible degree or certificate program.
• Must meet all federal eligibility criteria.

Direct Unsubsidized Loan

Description: Direct Unsubsidized Loans are federal student loans available to both undergraduate and graduate students. Unlike Subsidized Loans, interest accrues while the student is in school and during grace, deferment, and forbearance periods.

Award Amounts:

2025-2026:

• 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

2026-2027: 

• 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 $50,000 as a graduate student in certain health professions

Eligibility Criteria: To qualify for a Direct Unsubsidized Loan, a student must:

• Complete the FAFSA (financial need is not required).
• Complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Counseling (EC).
• Be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible degree or certificate program.
• Must meet all federal eligibility criteria.

Direct Parent PLUS Loan

Description: Direct Parent PLUS Loans are federal loans that parents of dependent undergraduate students can use to help pay for educational expenses not covered by other financial aid. Unlike Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loans, a credit check is required. Interest accrues while the student is in school and during grace, deferment, and forbearance periods.

Award Amounts:

• Up to the cost of attendance (as determined by the school) minus other financial aid received.

Eligibility Criteria: To qualify for a Parent PLUS Loan:

• The borrower must be the biological, adoptive, or, in some cases, stepparent of a dependent undergraduate student.
• Both parent and student must be U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens.
• The student must be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible program.
• The parent must pass a credit check with the Department of Education. Parents may explore co-signer and/or endorser or appeal options if not initially approved.
• Complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN), Entrance Counseling (EC), PLUS Counseling. Special PLUS Counseling is required if the applicant is not approved on a standalone basis.
• Complete the FAFSA.
• Must meet all federal eligibility criteria.

Direct Graduate PLUS Loan

Description: Direct Graduate PLUS Loans are federal loans available to graduate and professional students to help cover educational expenses not met by other financial aid. A credit check is required. Interest accrues while the student is in school and during grace, deferment, and forbearance periods.

Award Amounts:

• Up to the cost of attendance (as determined by the school) minus other financial aid received.

Eligibility Criteria: To qualify for a Graduate PLUS Loan, a student must:

• Be a graduate or professional student enrolled at least half-time in an eligible program.
• Pass a credit check with the Department of Education. Students may explore co-signer and/or endorser or appeal options if not initially approved.
• Complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN), Entrance Counseling (EC), and PLUS Counseling. Special PLUS Counseling is required if the applicant is not approved on a standalone basis.
• Complete the FAFSA.
• Must meet all federal eligibility criteria.

Other Financial Assistance

In accordance with U.S. Department of Education guidance, Other Financial Assistance (OFA) refers to any educational benefits, scholarships, grants, waivers, employer tuition assistance, or other resources received by the student to cover educational expenses, in addition to financial exceptions, federal, state, or institutional aid. All forms of assistance-whether provided by external agencies, employers, or private organizations-must be reported to the University to be included in the student’s financial aid package.

OFA is used to determine a student’s total financial assistance and may affect eligibility for need-based federal, state, or institutional aid. Failure to report all sources of assistance may result in adjustments to existing financial aid awards, including reductions or returns of funds, to ensure compliance with federal regulations.

Some alternative funding options that are available for some of the programs at National University are:

Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)

Students may enroll in Army or Air Force ROTC while attending National University. Scholarships are offered in select undergraduate programs on a competitive basis at the two-, three-and-a-half-, and four-year college levels. Applicants are selected based on a comprehensive “whole person” evaluation, which includes GPA and interviews. Veterans who complete their studies and are commissioned by age 35 may also be eligible for ROTC participation. National University students can enroll in ROTC by contacting the local ROTC Recruiting Office.

Corporate Tuition Assistance

Many employers offer tuition reimbursement programs. Students are encouraged to check with their employer for application procedures. Employer reimbursement or tuition assistance is considered part of a student’s Other Financial Assistance (OFA) when determining financial need. Employer reimbursement typically covers tuition and fees only. Students must report all employer assistance so it can be included in their OFA calculation.

Aid for Native Americans

Native American students who can document membership in a federally recognized tribe may apply for educational grants through the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). Students are advised to contact their local BIA.

State Rehabilitation

The state rehabilitation program assists individuals with disabilities in entering or returning to the workforce. Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact their regional state rehabilitation office for more information on eligibility and application procedures.

Private Education Loan Information

A private education loan is defined as a non-FSA loan used for postsecondary education. Students are informed that they may qualify for Federal Student Aid (FSA) loans or other forms of assistance, and that FSA loan terms may be more favorable than those of private loans. National University does not participate in a preferred lender arrangement. Private loan lenders require credit checks, and students are strongly encouraged to file a FAFSA before applying for private loans.

University Payment Plans

Payment Plans and Fee Information

Tuition is due and payable prior to the first-class session of each class or term. If a tuition payment check is returned due to insufficient funds, the University reserves the right to drop all current and future classes for that student. Students will be notified of this action and assessed a return check charge. The University may require students who have written multiple insufficient-fund checks to make all future payments by cashier’s check, cash or money order.

• Students utilizing financial assistance programs are responsible for timely payment of tuition and fees.
• Students must pay their financial obligations to the University before receiving reimbursement from their financial assistance source.
• A Returned Check Fee of $25.00 is charged when a student’s payment by check does not clear their account.
• A Declined Credit Card Fee of $25.00 is charged when a student payment by credit card is denied by the issuing credit card company.

Pay-in-Full (Length of Program)

Students may pre-pay the tuition for their entire degree program at the beginning of their program at the University. Such pre-payment will confirm the tuition rate for the duration of the student’s entire program (excluding additional or retaken classes).

Pay-by-Class or Term

Tuition is due at the time the student requests their class (s) for non-term programs and when the student requests to term schedule for term-based programs. The University reserves the right to change tuition rate as it deems necessary.

University Payment Plan

This monthly payment plan covers the direct University tuition costs for each class or term only.

• At the time of a student’s Class Acceptance, a payment plan is initiated by the student requiring monthly payments made directly to the University.
• Students cannot register for a new class until all outstanding tuition and fees balances are paid in full.
• Payment Plans may need to be on file prior to class start dates, but payment plans may also extend beyond the length of a class from time-to-time with an approved exception by the student’s AFA.

The University reserves the right to change tuition rates as it deems necessary.

Procedural Steps for the University Payment Plan

• Step One: At the time attendance is confirmed in the class, the student schedules the subsequent monthly payments as required by the payment plan. The first payment is processed on the eighth (8th) day of the class.
• Step Two: The student’s two remaining monthly payments will be processed in 28-day increments beginning 36 days from the start of the class.

Other Important Details about University Payment Plans

• Credit Card: The student’s credit card on file is charged automatically each month until tuition and fees for the term are paid in full.
• If a credit card payment is declined or a check is returned due to insufficient funds, a $25 Declined Credit Card or Returned Check Fee will be charged.
• If a student who has prepaid tuition withdraws or is dismissed from their degree program prior to graduating, any tuition reduction applied to such tuition prepayment is invalid.
  • The student is charged the applicable tuition for all completed classes based on the full tuition rate in effect at the time each class began.
  • The difference resulting from any tuition reduction and the amount charged at the full tuition rate in effect at the time each class began is deducted from the remaining credit balance prior to the refund payout.

University Scholarships and Grants

Each year, National University awards tuition scholarships and grants to educationally and economically disadvantaged students. All scholarships and grants are based upon the eligibility rules that focus on financial needs.

National University’s awards are considered “last money” tuition scholarships. These awards are designed to supplement, but not replace, federal and state financial aid, employer tuition assistance, and student income. Awards are credited directly to the financial accounts of recipients. The number of scholarships disbursed depends upon the availability of allocated funds. As a nonprofit institution, National University tries to provide as many scholarship and grant opportunities as possible.

National University adheres to all federal, state, and local civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination in employment and education. The University does not discriminate in its admissions practices except as permitted by law, in its employment practices, or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, religion (including religious dress and grooming and having requested accommodation of bona fide religious belief or practice), military status, veteran status, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, disability, protected medical condition, genetic information, political activity, sex/gender. As a recipient of federal financial assistance for education activities, National University is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 to ensure that all of its education programs and activities do not discriminate on the basis of sex/gender. Sex includes sex, sex stereotypes, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and pregnancy or parenting status or any other category protected by applicable state or federal law.

Admission advisors and financial aid advisors will assist you in applying for a University-funded award. However, it is your responsibility to read and comply with the policies and procedures contained in the University catalog prior to applying for a scholarship.

Please review the accompanying scholarship information. If you meet the eligibility criteria for an award and are in need of financial assistance, you are encouraged to apply.

For more information on scholarships please visit https://www.nu.edu/admissions/financial-aid-and-scholarships/scholarships/.

If you have any questions, please email scholarships@nu.edu.

Military Programs and Veterans Education Benefits

National University Veterans Affairs Department

9388 Lightwave Avenue

San Diego CA 92123

Email: veteransaffairs@nu.edu

Phone: 858-541-7970

In Accordance with Title 38 U.S. Code § 3679(e), National University adopts the following provisions for any student using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) GI Bill® benefits.

While payment to the University is pending from the VA, National University will not:

• Prevent students from enrolling.
• Assess a late penalty fee.
• Require students to secure alternative or additional funding.
• Deny access to any resources (including classes, libraries, or other University facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fees bills.

Provided that Students using Veterans Education Benefits submit the current following documents to veteransaffairs@nu.edu:

• VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) or Statement of Benefits confirming entitlement to benefits, submitted no later than the first day of the student’s first class.
• Statement of Understanding (SOU) providing written authorization for the University to administer benefits on the student’s behalf.
• Additional Military/VA documentation as necessary to facilitate the accurate and timely certification of enrollment by the University (e.g. DD Form 214, Certificate of Discharge, etc.).

Students using Veterans Education Benefits are permitted to attend classes while their benefits are being processed, provided they submit a valid COE. Students may attend classes from the date the COE is submitted until VA issues payment to the University or 90 days after the University certifies the student’s enrollment for tuition and fees, whichever occurs first.

During this period, students will not be assessed late fees, dropped from classes, or required to secure alternative funding due to pending VA payments. After this period, students are responsible for paying any portion of tuition and fees balance, books, supplies, and institutional fees that are not covered by their Veterans Education Benefits.

U.S Department of Veterans Affairs Information

Contact the VA GI Bill® Hotline by calling 1-888-442-4551, Monday-Friday from 7am-6pm Central Time.

Submit questions to VA about Veterans Education Benefits and service, 24/7 via AskVA: https://www.va.gov/contact-us/ask-va/introduction.

For questions about Veterans Education Benefits overpayments contact the VA Debt Management Center at 1-800-827-0648 or visit: https://www.va.gov/manage-va-debt/.

Learn how your Veterans Education Benefits can support your education by visiting the GI Bill® Comparison Tool: https://www.va.gov/education/gi-bill-comparison-tool/.

Find a local Veterans Readiness and Employment office by visiting: www.va.gov/find-locations/.

Veterans Education Benefits

Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty (Chapter 30) provides education benefits to veterans who served at least two years on active duty after June 30, 1985, and had their pay reduced by $100 per month for 12 months while in service.

Students using Chapter 30 receive a monthly stipend directly from VA and are responsible for paying their tuition and fees to the University.

Montgomery GI Bill® – Selected Reserves (Chapter 1606) provides education benefits for eligible members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Reserve, as well as the Army National Guard and Air National Guard.

Students using Chapter 1606 receive a monthly stipend directly from VA and are responsible for paying their tuition and fees to the University.

Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E) (Chapter 31) provides benefits to service members and veterans with an eligible service-connected disability rating that impairs their ability to work. While this is not solely an education-specific benefit, the program helps eligible students address education and training needs to obtain and maintain suitable employment.

Entitlement to Chapter 31 benefits is determined on an individual basis following an evaluation and approval by a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC).

Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) provides education benefits for veterans and service members with active-duty service after September 10, 2001. Eligible students may receive benefits that include tuition and eligible fees (subject to an annual cap), a Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA), and a books and supplies stipend of up to $1,000 per year.

Tuition and fees are paid directly to the University by VA on behalf of students using Chapter 33.

Rudisill Supreme Court Decision has extended some veterans’ education entitlements under Chapters 30 and 33. Eligible veterans may qualify for additional GI Bill® benefits.

Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 35) provides education and training benefits to eligible spouses and children of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected condition, died in service, or died as a result of a service-connected condition.

Students using Chapter 35 receive a monthly stipend directly from VA and are responsible for paying their tuition and fees to the University.

Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship) provides education benefits to eligible children and surviving spouses of service members or members of the Selected Reserve who died on or after September 11, 2001. Eligible students may receive benefits that include tuition and eligible fees (subject to an annual cap), a Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA), and a books and supplies stipend of up to $1,000 per year.

Tuition and fees are paid directly to the University by VA on behalf of students using the Fry Scholarship.

Transfer of Post-9/11 GI Bill® Benefits to Dependents (TEB) allows eligible active-duty service members to transfer unused education benefits under Chapter 33 to their spouses or children, subject to their respective military service policies and eligibility requirements.

Charging of Veterans Education Benefits

Veterans Education Benefits are charged at a rate of 30 days of entitlement for each full month of training.

Classes that are shorter or longer than 30 days are prorated based on the actual number of days in the enrollment period.

Veterans Education Benefits Disclaimer

National University cannot guarantee eligibility for Veterans Education Benefits, award percentages, stipend amounts, stipend payments, or other aspects of GI Bill® benefits. Benefit determinations are made solely by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

National University is not responsible for changes in VA policies, external processing time, payment adjustments, or benefit denials as a result of VA policies. Students are encouraged to refer to official information available at www.va.gov or call 1-888-442-4551 for the most accurate and up-to-date guidance.

For more information about Veterans Education Benefits at National University, including how to apply for VA benefits, please visit: https://www.nu.edu/student-services/veterans-affairs/.

VA Trademark Attribution Statement

“GI Bill®” is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Using VA Benefits for Remedial Classes

Remedial classes, including MTH 12A (Algebra I) and MTH 12B (Algebra II), are designed to address deficiencies in foundational skills. These classes may be certified for Veterans Education Benefits only when they are required as part of a VA-approved program of education and when the student’s need has been properly documented.

The VA requires official placement test results to substantiate the need for enrollment in remedial classwork. At National University, students must provide an Accuplacer test score demonstrating the need for the remedial class. The Accuplacer must be completed prior to the start date of the enrolled remedial classes.

In accordance with VA guidelines, only residential (fully in-person) remedial classes may be certified for Veterans Education Benefits. Online and hybrid remedial classes cannot be certified.

To schedule an Accuplacer exam, students should contact Testing Services at testingservices@nu.edu.

Entitlement Charging by Chapter

• Chapter 30, Chapter 33, Chapter 1606, and Chapter 1607: Entitlement is charged for approved remedial training.
• Chapter 35: Entitlement is not charged for up to five months of full-time remedial training.

Non-Matriculated Veteran Students

VA defines matriculated as having been formally admitted to a college or university as a degree-seeking student. VA educational benefits cannot be paid to non-matriculated college or university students unless they are pending admission to National University.

In that case, veteran students can be certified for two terms, irrespective of the number of credit hours. A student can be certified beyond this two-term limit once the student is formally admitted to National University as a degree-seeking student.

Veterans Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31)

Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E), also known as Chapter 31, is a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs program that assists eligible veterans and service members with service-connected disabilities in preparing for, obtaining, and maintaining suitable employment. Educational benefits under VR&E are provided through an individualized rehabilitation plan developed and approved by a VA Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. Students must receive formal VA authorization before enrollment can be certified.

Learn more about this program by visiting: https://www.nu.edu/veteran-readiness-and-employment/.

Study Abroad and Veterans Education Benefits

Students planning to participate in a Study Abroad program while using Veterans Education Benefits must be matriculated in a VA-approved degree program. Only classes that apply to the student’s approved program of study and meet degree requirements may be certified for VA funding.

National University Study Abroad programs operate under the Instructor-Led Enrollment model for Veterans Education Benefits purposes. Classwork may be delivered domestically, internationally, or through a combination of both locations. These arrangements typically involve a faculty-led cultural immersion experience in which students begin classwork at a domestic campus and then travel internationally to continue their studies with the same instructor and classmates. Academic credit is awarded by National University.

Post-9/11 GI Bill® – Study Abroad Payment Guidelines

Under Chapter 33, VA will pay

• Tuition and mandatory fees, up to the VA’s annual maximum tuition and fees cap.
• Books and supplies stipend.
• Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA), based on the ZIP code of the campus where the student is attending.
• Additional Study Abroad–specific fees only if that component is required for graduation.

VA Will Not Pay

• Costs related to travel, including airfare, lodging, and meals.
• Third-party charges.

Students eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® at less than the 100% benefit level will receive prorated tuition and fee payments based on their eligibility percentage.

Students must be enrolled more than half-time to receive the Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA).

Requesting VA Certification for Study Abroad

Students seeking to apply Veterans Education Benefits toward Study Abroad classwork must submit a written request via email to veteransaffairs@nu.edu identifying the immersion session term, class(s), and requesting certification for VA benefits.

Post-9/11 GI Bill® and Fry Scholarship

The VA pays a Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) directly to students using Chapter 33 or the Fry Scholarship when enrolled in onsite, online, or qualifying hybrid classes. MHA is payable only when an undergraduate student’s rate of pursuit is more than half time, as determined by the class length and number of credits taken. Graduate students are considered full time for MHA purposes. Classes shorter than 30 days are prorated for MHA based on the actual number of days in the term.

MHA rates for approved National University campuses are available on the GI Bill® Comparison Tool. Students with questions about their specific MHA payment amount should contact the GI Bill® hotline directly for assistance.

Residence (in-Person) Classes

Students enrolled more than ½ time in classes delivered fully in person will receive MHA at the VA’s residence training rate. Estimated MHA amounts for residence training can be found using the GI Bill® Comparison Tool.

Online or Distant Learning Classes

Students enrolled more than ½ time in classes delivered entirely online will receive MHA at the VA’s online training rate. Estimated MHA amounts for online training can be found using the GI Bill® Comparison Tool.

Hybrid Classes

Students enrolled in hybrid classes are considered residence (in-person) for MHA purposes. Students enrolled in hybrid classes must meet National University’s attendance policy, which requires participation in at least two in-person class meetings per class.

Students using Veterans Education Benefits who fail to attend at least one required in person session will be reported to the VA as distance learning for that class. This reclassification will impact the student’s MHA, as rates differ based on modality.

Missed in person sessions, including those resulting from circumstances beyond the student’s control, must still be reported as distance learning in accordance with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs guidelines. The National University Veterans Affairs department cannot certify such enrollment as resident training, regardless of mitigating circumstances.

Books and Supplies Stipend

Students may receive up to $1,000 per academic year for books and supplies. This payment is issued directly to the student by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Monthly stipends are prorated based on the student’s GI Bill® eligibility percentage, rate of pursuit, and remaining entitlement for the academic year.

Rounding Out (Final Term Only)

In a student’s final academic term, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs permits a one-time practice known as “rounding out,” allowing enrollment in additional classwork to increase training time or rate of pursuit up to full-time. Additional classes must be listed in the approved program curriculum and not previously completed, even if not required for graduation.

If all remaining program classes have been completed or are not offered during the final term, the student may enroll in other institutional classes to reach full-time status. Rounding out is limited to once per program and is not authorized for clock-hour non-college degree programs.

Repeating Classes

Classes that have been successfully completed may not be certified again for Veterans Education Benefits, even if VA did not pay for the prior attempt. A class may be certified for repeat enrollment only if it is required for graduation and the student either failed the class, did not achieve the minimum grade required by the program as published in the catalog, or is required by the institution to repeat the class due to outdated credit. There is no limit on the number of attempts when repetition meets these criteria. Classes repeated solely to improve a grade point average or by student choice when not institutionally required cannot be certified to the VA.

Concurrent Enrollment and Parent School Letter

Students may enroll in classes at more than one institution when the classwork applies to their approved degree program. The institution granting the degree is considered the “parent” school, and any other institution is the “guest” school. All classes taken at a guest school must be pre-approved by National University and must apply to the student’s degree program to be certified for Veterans Education Benefits.

National University will provide a parent school letter to the VA School Certifying Official at the guest institution verifying that the approved classes apply toward the student’s degree program. An official transcript from the guest school must be submitted to National University for transfer credit evaluation, grade permitting.

Military Tuition Assistance

The Military Tuition Assistance Program may cover up to 100 percent of tuition costs for eligible active-duty service members, subject to service branch funding limits. Each military service branch, including the Coast Guard, establishes its own eligibility criteria, service obligations, funding caps, and application procedures. National Guard members and Reservists may also qualify based on their service eligibility and should consult their respective service for guidance.

Classes must be taken at an accredited two- or four-year institution, either on-site or through distance learning. Tuition Assistance funds are paid directly to the institution by the service branch.

Tuition Assistance must be requested through the student’s installation Education Office. An approved Tuition Assistance voucher must be submitted to militarysbs@nu.edu prior to enrollment. Students can find more information at: https://www.nu.edu/military-benefits-and-funding-options/.

Tuition Assistance Top-Up Program (Top-Up)

The Tuition Assistance Top-Up Program allows eligible Service members to use their GI Bill® benefits to cover class costs that exceed the amount paid by Military Tuition Assistance (TA).

Active-Duty, Reserve, and National Guard members who are eligible for Chapter 30 or Chapter 33 benefits and who receive TA from their military branch may qualify for Top-Up.

Students must be enrolled in a VA-approved program of education to use Top-Up benefits. Because using Top-Up will reduce remaining GI Bill® entitlement, students are strongly encouraged to consult with the Military Education Service Officer on their Military Installation before electing this option.

To request Top-Up at National University:

• Students must elect to use Top-Up on their Military TA voucher or contract.
• Students must also notify National University in writing by emailing veteransaffairs@nu.edu and specify the term for which they are requesting Top-Up benefits.

For additional information about the Tuition Assistance Top-Up Program, students may visit: https://www.nu.edu/student-services/Veterans-affairs/top-up-information/.

Military Tuition Assistance Refunds

Tuition Assistance (TA) funds are awarded to students on a class-by-class basis. TA funds are paid based on actual days attended, for up to 60 percent of the days in the class. If a student stops attending before completing the class, the University will return any unearned TA funds directly to the applicable military service on a prorated basis, as outlined below. Any tuition balance not paid by the military service due to early class withdrawal is the responsibility of the student.

TA funds can only be returned after the University has invoiced the approved TA voucher and payment has been received from the applicable military service branch. Once payment has been received, refund processing typically requires an additional 10–14 days. The full return process may take up to 90 days.

During this period, a student’s ability to receive new TA vouchers may be affected. Students should contact their installation Education Office when dropping classes to discuss potential impacts to their participation in this program.

*60% of class attendance threshold

Military Service Obligations and Deployment

If a military mobilization, deployment, or other service obligation interrupts a student’s attendance, the University will work with the student to identify solutions that avoid creating a debt for the returned portion of TA.

Students are responsible for notifying their advisor of any military service obligation that will interrupt their attendance and must provide official military orders or a letter from their commanding officer.

Students who withdraw due to military mobilization or deployment will be processed in accordance with the University’s Military Deployment Refund policy.

Yellow Ribbon Program – Post-9/11 GI Bill® Students

National University participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program (YRP), through which the VA and the University share the cost of tuition and fees that exceed the VA’s annual tuition cap for private institutions. For YRP purposes, the academic year runs from August 1 through July 31.

Students using the Post-9/11 GI Bill® at the 100% eligibility level, including active-duty service members, transferred beneficiaries, and Fry Scholars, whose tuition and fees exceed the VA annual cap for private institutions may be eligible for YRP funding. For qualifying students, National University provides a tuition waiver toward eligible tuition and fees that exceed the annual cap, and the VA matches the University’s contribution.

YRP Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, students must:

• Be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® at the 100% rate.
• Have remaining Chapter 33 or Fry Scholarship entitlement.
• Be enrolled in a VA-approved degree or certificate program.
• Be enrolled only in classes required for program completion.
• Be in met academic standing status.
• Meet all University attendance and conduct standards.
• Not repeat a class previously completed with a passing grade.

Required Documentation

• Students requesting YRP consideration must have the following on file:
• A current Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
• A completed Statement of Understanding (SOU).
• Any additional required documentation (e.g. DD Form 214, Certificate of Discharge, etc.).

For more information about the Yellow Ribbon Program, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, please visit: https://www.nu.edu/military-and-veterans/yellow-ribbon-program/.

Application and Forms

The financial aid process begins when a student submits their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.studentaid.gov using the institution’s school code. Each applicant requesting federal financial aid must have a current and valid Institutional Student Information Report (ISIR) on file with the University and the U.S. Department of Education which is the output of a successfully submitted FAFSA.

The student financial services department will use ISIR information including the applicants Student Aid Index (SAI) to determine eligibility for all Federal Student Aid (FSA) programs. SAI has replaced the Expected Family Contribution as a formal evaluation of a student’s estimated financial resources to contribute toward their postsecondary education for a specific award year.

A FAFSA is required for each award year in which a student wishes to receive aid, but in some cases, an ISIR may be used for multiple academic years. As a best practice, students should complete a FAFSA annually as the new year’s FAFSA becomes available, typically October 1st.

Master Promissory Note (MPN) 

The Master Promissory Note (MPN) is a legal document in which you promise to repay your loan(s) and any accrued interest and fees to the U.S. Department of Education. It also explains the terms and conditions of your loan(s).

In order to be eligible to receive a Direct loan, a borrower must sign an MPN which may be done by visiting the www.studentaid.gov web site.

Under the multi-year feature of the MPN for Direct loans, students can obtain additional loans without having to sign a new MPN for each academic year. However, a new MPN will be required at the University in the following situations:

• No disbursements were made on the MPN within 12 months of the date the borrower signed the MPN or;
• Ten years have passed since the date the student signed the MPN; if a portion of the loan is made on or before the ten-year limit on the signature date, remaining disbursements of that loan can be made.

The institution can refuse to certify a student’s loan application on a case-by-case basis, if the reason is documented for its action and the office provides the reason to the student in writing.

Entrance Counseling 

Entrance counseling ensures you understand the terms and conditions of your loan and your rights and responsibilities. You’ll learn what a loan is, how interest works, your options for repayment, and how to avoid delinquency and default.

Entrance counseling is required before a borrower can receive their first disbursement of a Direct Loan or Direct PLUS Loan. The entrance counseling may remain valid for all future borrowing for the FSA program for which the counseling was completed. Students can access entrance counseling by logging in to www.studentaid.gov/entrance-counseling/ using their FSA ID.

Additional Loan counseling is required for students and/or parents borrowing Graduate PLUS or Parent PLUS loans with endorsers or adverse credit history.

Verification

Verification is the selective confirmation of certain student and parent-reported data (for dependent students). Applications are selected for verification either by the FAFSA Processing System (FPS) or by the Student Financial Services (SFS) team. The Financial Aid Office verifies all applications selected by the FAFSA Processing System (FPS). Any Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) may be selected for verification, even if the prior ISIR was not selected.

On a case-by-case basis, the Financial Aid Office may institutionally select an application for verification if there is a discrepancy or a condition that is unusual and warrants review.

Estimated financial aid offers may be generated before verification as necessary. The verification process must be completed for selected applicants before any need-based Title IV aid will be disbursed. A student will receive an updated offer letter if, based on verification documentation, Title IV award amounts have changed.

Information that must be verified and the acceptable documentation for students selected for verification are determined annually and published before the start of an award year. In accordance with the new regulation, NU may verify different items from year to year.

Student Notification of Verification 

Applicants selected for verification will be notified via notice of:

• The documentation needed to satisfy the verification requirements in their student portal.
• The student responsibilities with respect to the verification application information, including the deadlines for completing the process and the consequences of failing to complete the process.
• The notification methods if the offer letter changes as a result of verification and the time frame for such notification.
• When the verification process is complete.

The student must submit these documents to the Financial Aid Office in order to receive any Title IV aid for the award year. Students cannot avoid the verification process by choosing to decline a Pell Grant or Subsidized Direct loan, resulting in Unsubsidized Direct funds only.

Submission of Verification Documents 

In most cases, a completed Verification Worksheet is sufficient to complete verification, when the student uses the FUTURE Act Direct Data Exchange (FA-DDX) available when filling out the FAFSA online. As a practice, and unless the student is selected for the verification process, the SFS team does not request Form W-2 Wage and Tax Statements with tax transcripts. W-2 forms are only requested when determining a separation of income, making a professional judgment, when the student is a nontax filer, and/or resolving conflicting data.

In the event the student has a qualified IRA rollover the University will request a written statement from the tax filer indicating the amount of the distribution that was included in the IRA rollover.

A student must submit all verification documents by the earlier of 120 days after the last day of the student’s enrollment or by the deadline published in the Federal Register (generally at the end of September following the end of the award year). Verification is considered complete when all requested documentation has been received, all errors have been corrected, and a valid ISIR is on file.

If required verification documentation is not submitted by the deadline, the student will not be eligible for any Title IV aid for the period of time the selected ISIR was used to determine eligibility.

Once a student is no longer enrolled, they may still submit verification documentation (using the deadline above) and receive a late disbursement if, during the time they were enrolled, the U.S. Department of Education had processed an ISIR with an official Student Aid Index (SAI). If the SAI changes based on the documentation received, any Pell grant award will be based on the lower SAI.

Database Matches and Documentation

As part of processing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), student information is matched against multiple federal databases to confirm eligibility for federal aid. These matches help verify identity, citizenship, loan status, and overall eligibility for Title IV programs.

The following database matches are conducted:

• Social Security Administration (SSA): Verifies the Social Security number, name, and date of birth of applicants. Discrepancies may occur due to data entry errors or name changes.
• Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Confirms U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen status.
• Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Identifies veteran status for certain benefits.
• National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS): Confirms whether the student has any fraudulent loans, is in default on a federal loan, owes a grant overpayment, has exceeded aggregate loan limits, or has an Unusual Enrollment History (UEH) flag. Aid cannot be disbursed until all NSLDS issues are resolved.
• Department of Justice (DOJ): Identifies individuals subject to a federal judgment lien or drug abuse hold, which must be satisfied before receiving additional federal aid.

If a database match produces a comment code indicating conflicting or missing information, students may be asked to provide documentation to resolve the discrepancy. Financial aid will not be disbursed until all discrepancies are resolved. In addition, subsequent FAFSA transactions (ISIRs) are reviewed continuously, and eligibility may change if new matches or updates are received.

Fraud Referrals

In compliance with 34 CFR 668.16(g), any credible information indicating fraud or misrepresentation in connection with federal aid must be reported. Staff who encounter such information must first contact their direct leader to obtain the required reporting form and protocol. Once the protocol and form is completed, the form and all relevant information regarding the student must be submitted to the Service Desk at servicedesk@nu.edu. The Service Desk will then route the matter to the appropriate departments and determine whether referral to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) is warranted.

Cost of Attendance

Cost of Attendance (COA) is an important component in the financial aid process. Standard student budgets are used to award financial aid by reflecting the Cost of Attendance for the average student population at a modest, but adequate, standard of living. The Student and Financial Services (SFS) Team approves special Cost of Attendance considerations for additional costs on a case-by-case basis as covered through a Professional Judgment decision.

Direct and Indirect Costs

Students apply for financial assistance to help pay for costs related to receiving an education at the University. Some costs are direct charges, such as tuition, books, and fees, while other costs are considered indirect costs, such as housing, utilities, food, and other incidental personal expenses. Indirect costs are included in the Cost of Attendance because they are costs a student must consider when determining the expense to attend the University. The student may apply for student financial assistance to help cover education-related expenses such as these.

How Cost of Attendance is Derived and Updated

The University reviews Cost of Attendance each year to determine current and reasonable expenses to attend the University. The University has chosen to use CollegeBoard guidelines, based on data from the most recent Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES) and the Indexes of Comparative Costs, both produced by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Because a standardized budget is used, students are not asked to provide receipts to prove expenses. The COA will not be increased unless unusual or exceptional circumstances exist and are approved through a Professional Judgment decision. Please refer to the Professional Judgement section for further information.

Costs in the COA include:

• Tuition and fees: The average tuition amount for the loan period is based upon degree level plus any mandatory program fees.
• Books, class materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, and miscellaneous personal expenses: These expenses are based on estimates from CollegeBoard.
• Food and housing: The standardized amount is based upon the student attending a distance education University; it includes the estimated cost for rent, utilities, and food.

Cost of Attendance

Cost of Attendance is a figure used by the Student and Financial Services (SFS) team to help determine financial aid eligibility. The COA is an estimated figure that captures direct and indirect expenses a student may incur while in school. The specific COA for each National University Program can be found at https://www.nu.edu/cost-of-attendance/.

Cost of Attendance Restrictions

Certain student categories are restricted on allowable Cost of Attendance components:

Packaging 

The Student Financial Services team is committed to making a university education accessible through a consultative, student-centered approach that prioritizes grants and scholarships. Our philosophy follows a clear sequence: we begin by applying the “Grants First” principle, ensuring all students are considered for gift aid such as federal, state, and institutional grants and scholarships, before any other form of assistance. This is done to minimize debt and reduce the student’s initial cost as much as possible.

After gift aid is exhausted, students often qualify for self-help aid in the form of loans or work study. Our standard initial award is designed to cover tuition and fees (Direct Costs) only. This approach gives students direct control over how they fund living expenses and empowers them to adopt a conservative borrowing strategy. If a student needs financial assistance to cover living expenses (such as housing, food, books, or transportation), they must expressly request additional aid. Upon this request, the appropriate aid will be added to the award package up to the student’s maximum eligibility, not to exceed the student’s full Cost of Attendance.

Students may reduce the amount of aid requested below the full tuition and fees if they choose to use alternative funding arrangements, which may include university payment plans, to cover a portion of their costs. This model ensures that the aid package is precisely tailored to the student’s financial plan.

Award Package Notification and Appeals 

Students receive notice of their financial aid amounts via a financial aid offer. Students are also informed of their right to make changes and the process for requesting changes in the financial aid offer.

A student may request a change to the award by the later of the first day of the payment period or 14 days after the student is notified of the award. The student may make changes to the offered amounts by contacting the Student and Financial Services Team.

Students who wish to appeal an awarded amount may do so by contacting the Student and Financial Services Team. The student’s request must meet the requirements for a Professional Judgment, and the student must follow the Professional Judgment process.

The University does not disburse the loan until the borrower is notified of the proposed loan package and the time given to respond, 14 days, has elapsed. The borrower only needs to take action if they want to decline the loan or make adjustments to the amount of the loan.

Award Revisions

Once a financial aid offer has been issued to a student, an appeal or other circumstance may require a change to the original notification. The Student and Financial Services Team reviews a student’s circumstances and, if appropriate, makes an adjustment to the award, and sends a revised financial aid offer as soon as possible. The revised award offer supersedes the original award notice, which is then no longer valid.

The Student and Financial Services Team routinely considers a revision in a student’s aid package when any of the following occurs:

• There is conflicting information in the file.
• There are changes resulting from verification.
• An administrative error occurred.
• There is a change to the student class schedule.
• Additional funding has been identified.

Overawards

An overaward occurs when the student’s disbursed financial aid (federal, institutional, and outside aid) and other resources exceed the cost of attendance for the award period. There are several possible reasons why overawards occur:

• The student has additional resources greater than those used to calculate the award.
• The Financial Aid Office has inadvertently made an error.

In addition, the student may have intentionally deceived or misrepresented information in order to obtain funds. If a determination is made that an overaward has occurred because of fraud, the Financial Aid Office will report the suspected fraud to the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Education. Before reducing an aid package because of an overaward, the Financial Aid Office attempts to eliminate the overaward by:

• Increasing the student’s budget using allowable expenses, or; 
• Adjusting the SAI or;
• Adjusting undisbursed funds for the current payment period (all undisbursed financial aid funds are adjusted in the case of an overaward).

If eliminating the over award is not possible, the Financial Aid Office reduces aid in the next payment period and requests that the student be billed for any remaining amount due.

Academic Calendar Definitions

Professional Judgement

The FAFSA is completed using prior-prior year (two years prior) tax information that may no longer accurately reflect a student’s current financial or personal circumstances. To assist with this, institutions of higher education can leverage Professional Judgments to adjust a student’s application to more accurately reflect the student’s circumstances.

To request a Professional Judgment, a student can do the following: 

• Contact their assigned Academic and Finance Counselor (AFC) via phone or email to indicate their request for a professional judgment for Unusual or Special Circumstances. 
• The assigned AFC will review the student’s request and outline information that will need to be provided to support the request for Unusual or Special Circumstances. 
  • Students should expect to provide documentation to support their Unusual or Special Circumstances. 
• Once the student provides their statement and necessary documentation, the Professional Judgment request is submitted by an AFC for review by the Financial Aid Processing Team. 
• A Financial Aid Processing Specialist will then review the student’s statement and supporting documentation to determine if an adjustment is warranted. 
  • If approved, the student’s record will be updated to reflect the approved Professional Judgment request for the applicable Academic Year. 
  • If denied, the student’s record will be updated to reflect the reason for the denial. 

Once a student has submitted their request and all required documentation, including their completed FAFSA form, the appeal will be reviewed within 10 business days. Timelines may vary based on time of year, complexity of the appeal, and appeal volume; appeals are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Documentation is critical throughout the Professional Judgment process. Schools must ensure that any supporting documentation collected is adequate to substantiate the student’s circumstances. 

The University’s decision regarding adjustments is final and cannot be appealed unless new documentation is provided by the student for consideration. 

Unusual and Special Circumstances That May Justify a Professional Judgment 

Professional Judgment is an opportunity for the parent, student, or the University to account for exceptions in certain areas that might allow more financial aid eligibility. The goal of Professional Judgment is to consider whether current circumstances are hindering a student from receiving adequate financial assistance. 

Special Circumstances refer to financial situations in which a Financial Aid Administrator or students may utilize Professional Judgment on a case-by-case basis to adjust specific components of a student’s Cost of Attendance (COA) or the data that was used to calculate their Student Aid Index (SAI). 

Some examples of Special Circumstances that may be considered are: 

• Change in employment status, income, or assets.
• Change in housing status (e.g., homelessness).
• Tuition expenses at an elementary or secondary school.
• Additional family members enrolled in college.
• Medical, dental, or nursing home expenses not covered by insurance.
• Child or dependent care expenses.
• Severe disability of the student or other member of the student’s household.
• Other changes or adjustments that impact the student’s costs or ability to pay for college.

Documentation may include (but is not limited to) the following: 

• Written explanations of the special circumstances being experienced by the student and/or parent(s). 
  • Copies of third-party letters or testimonials.
  • Copies of receipts, bills, and/or payroll statements.
  • A documented interview between the student and the financial aid administrator.
• Submission of a court order or official federal or state documentation that the student or the student’s parents or legal guardians are incarcerated.
• A documented phone call or written statement, which confirms the unusual circumstances.

Limits on the use of Professional Judgment 

Professional Judgment may not be used to modify the SAI formula tables used in the SAI calculation. 

Professional Judgment also may not be used to waive general student eligibility requirements or to avoid the intent of the law or regulations. 

Dependency Override

Dependency Override is the process through which a student can appeal to have the dependency status as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) overridden due to unusual circumstances. 

National University Financial Aid Processing has the authority to exercise Dependency Overrides based upon unusual circumstances on a case-by-case basis. 

Unusual Circumstances refer to the conditions that justify an institution making an adjustment to a student’s dependency status based on a unique situation (more commonly referred to as dependency override). 

Dependency Override Criteria and Process 

Circumstances That May Justify a Dependency Override 

Following are some examples for which a student may request a Dependency Override: 

• Victims of human trafficking.
• Students legally granted refugee or asylum status.
• Students voluntarily or involuntarily removed from the parents’ home.
• Parental abandonment or estrangement.
• Parental incarceration.

Other students will continue to qualify as independent on their FAFSA form and are not required to provide parental information if they are one or more of the following: 

• Were an orphan at the age of 13 or older.
• Were a ward of the court.
• Are or were in foster care.
• Were an emancipated minor or in a legal guardianship as determined by a court in the student’s state of legal residence.
• Are an unaccompanied homeless youth or are unaccompanied at risk of homelessness and self-supporting.

Please note that requesting a dependency override does not guarantee approval. 

Limits on the use of Dependency Override 

Dependency Override does not apply to situations in which parents refuse to financially contribute to the student’s education, are unwilling to provide their information, do not claim the student as an income tax dependent, or for a student who demonstrates total self-sufficiency. In addition, the fact that a student’s parents live in another country does not qualify as an unusual circumstance. 

Processing Requests for Dependency Override 

Student requests for Dependency Override should be submitted by the student to the Student Financial Services team. 

To request a Dependency Override, a student can do the following: 

• Contact their assigned Academic and Finance Counselor (AFC) via phone or email to indicate their request for a dependency override.
• The assigned AFC will review the student’s request and outline information that will need to be provided to support the request. 
  • Students should expect to provide documentation to support their request.
• Once the student provides their statement and necessary documentation, the request is submitted by an AFC for review by the Financial Aid Processing Team.
• A Financial Aid Processing Specialist will then review the student’s statement and supporting documentation to determine if an override is warranted. 
  • If approved, the student’s record will be updated to reflect the approved override request for the applicable Academic Year.
  • If denied, the student’s record will be updated to reflect the reason for the denial.

Once a student has submitted their request and all required documentation, including their completed FAFSA form, the appeal will be reviewed within 10 business days. Timelines may vary based on time of year, complexity of the appeal, and appeal volume; appeals are reviewed on a first come first serve basis. Documentation is critical throughout the review process. Schools must ensure that any supporting documentation collected is adequate to substantiate the student’s circumstances. 

Disbursement Process and Eligibility

Definition of Disbursement and Disbursement Methods 

A disbursement is defined as the application of any aid source to the student account, including, but not limited to, Title IV funding, Veteran Education Benefits, State Grants, Private Loans, and institutional grants and scholarships. 

The disbursement policy allows for consistent application to student accounts that have scheduled and awarded funding. Students who elect to use Title IV Funding will be subject to eligibility reviews at multiple checkpoints in the funding period. These checkpoints are implemented to ensure proper adherence to the policy and regulation. Students must meet disbursement eligibility requirements to receive scheduled disbursements within the aid year. Please see the Disbursement Eligibility section below for more information. Funds are considered disbursed when they are credited to a student’s account ledger.

All student aid eligibility requirements must be met before funds can be disbursed. The University reserves the right to make multiple disbursements within each Payment Period to align with the timing of charges being assessed. For Payment Period and Academic Year definitions, please see the previous Academic Calendar Definitions section.

Responsibility for Disbursement of Funds

Federal regulations require a clear and distinct separation of functions between the team authorizing Title IV funding payments and the team disbursing funds.

The Student Financial Services team ensures the accurate and appropriate awarding of aid. The Student Financial Services team also verifies the student’s eligibility and enrollment status at the time of disbursement. The results of the review are then forwarded to the Student Business Services team for funds to be either credited to the student’s account or returned to the funding source.

The Student Business Services Team is responsible for disbursing and posting funds to the appropriate student accounts. Funds are credited to a student’s account within the mandated timeframes set by each specific fund source.

Disbursement Eligibility 

For all students, the following items are reviewed to confirm disbursement eligibility: 

• For Direct Loans, the student is enrolled at least half time and has a valid, linked Master Promissory Note (MPN), and Entrance Counseling (EC) has been completed.
• For a student otherwise eligible for a Pell Grant, the scheduled disbursement will not cause the student to exceed his or her lifetime eligibility.
• The student is meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as of the most recent SAP checkpoint.
• Any conflicting information within the FAFSA, verification requirements, professional judgements, or c-codes have been resolved.
• If a subsequent FAFSA has been received, the above criteria apply and it will be reviewed to determine if any eligibility changes exist. All funds thereafter will be paid off the new FAFSA.
• For Non-Term: A student becomes eligible for their second payment period funds after successfully completing at least half of the credits and half of the instructional weeks of the total loan period.
• For Subscription: The student has met the cumulative credit requirement for the current subscription period and has initiated attendance in a class that belongs to the subscription period for which the disbursement is intended.

Late Disbursements 

Generally, if funds are received after the end of the enrollment period, if a student has withdrawn after successfully completing the payment period, or if the student has graduated, the student may be eligible for a late disbursement. Late Disbursements will be reviewed and processed once the qualification criteria has been validated and a student acknowledgment has been collected, if applicable.

Student eligibility for a late disbursement is contingent on the following: 

Direct Loans and PLUS/Grad PLUS Loans:

• The loan must have originated on or before the end of the loan period or graduation date, whichever occurs first.
• The student has met all other eligibility criteria (i.e. SAP, completed prior academic year credits, met admission criteria, etc.).
• The disbursement must be made within 180 days of the last date of attendance.
• In the case of a late second or subsequent disbursement of Direct Loan funds, the student must have completed their degree requirements or completed the loan period for which the funds were intended.

Grants:

• A valid FAFSA for the award year has been received prior to the student’s withdrawal date, or the Department of Education’s FAFSA deadline dates, whichever is earlier.
• The student has met all other eligibility criteria (i.e. SAP, completed prior academic year credits, met admission criteria, etc.).
• The disbursement must be made by the Department of Education’s payment deadlines for the given award year or within 180 days after the date the University determined that the student withdrew, whichever is earlier.
• If a student withdraws and it is determined during the return to Title IV calculation that they are eligible for more Pell than was disbursed, they will be offered a late disbursement.
• If there is no withdrawal date in the academic year or the student has graduated, the student may be paid retroactively for any completed payment periods subject to the above stated deadlines.

Additional Disbursement Information

Student and Parent Authorizations 

Disbursing Title IV Funds to Pay Prior Award Year Educationally-Related Institutional Charges Other than Tuition, Fees, and Contracted Food and Housing.

Students are allowed to apply up to $200 in FSA funding to prior year charges. In accordance with this, National University (NU) may hold up to $200 in funding if the student has a prior period balance on their account at the time of disbursement. If the balance due is for non-institutional charges, the student (or parent) must provide authorization. 

Title IV Credit Balances

It is the policy of NU to follow federal regulation and issue credit balances within 14 days as required by the Department of Education. In accordance with Department of Education policy, NU determined TIV credit balances based on the charges for the period in question minus any disbursements during the same period. When the disbursements exceed allowable charges, a credit balance is created. 

Return of Title IV Funds

Title IV funds are awarded to a student under the assumption that the student will attend the University during the entire period for which the assistance was awarded.

The University is required to determine whether any Title IV funds must be returned to the Federal Student Aid (FSA) programs when a student does not complete the payment period/period of enrollment in which the student is currently enrolled. The percentage of earned and unearned portions of Title IV aid is calculated based upon the scheduled number of days in the period of enrollment and the date either on which the student withdrew from the University or when the student ceased participating in their classwork for more than 28 consecutive days.

For purposes of determining the percentage of Title IV aid earned, the date of withdrawal is determined to be the last date the student completed an Academic-Related Activity (ARA) in a class. For students who have ceased participating in their class for more than 28 consecutive days, the University will record in the Return of Title IV calculation worksheet, the 14th day after the last date the student participated in an academic-related activity as the Date of Determination (DOD).

As mandated by the U.S. Department of Education (ED), the Return of Title IV calculation determines what portion of Title IV funds, whether disbursed or could have been disbursed, that can be used to pay institutional and non-institutional charges.

For students subject to a Return of Title IV calculation, the calculation accounts for the initial charges that are assessed for the payment period/period of enrollment. For the purposes of this calculation, initial charges may only be adjusted based on changes made prior to the student’s withdrawal (for example, dropping a class unrelated to a withdrawal).

The University participates in the following Title IV aid programs, which are covered in the Return of Title IV calculation:

• Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan
• Subsidized Federal Direct Loan
• Federal Direct PLUS Loan
• Federal Pell Grant
• Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant (for 011460 OPEID only).
• Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) (for 011460 OPEID only).

Title IV Return Process 

Order of Distribution

When the Return of Title IV calculation is complete, the University returns any unearned aid to the following sources, in the following order of distribution, up to the total net amount disbursed from each source:

1. Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan
2. Subsidized Federal Direct Loan
3. Federal Direct PLUS Loan
4. Federal Pell Grant
5. FSEOG
6. TEACH Grant

Withdrawal Date

The University determines when a student ceases to attend the institution. Determination occurs when:

• A student notifies the University of their intent to withdraw.
• The institution dismisses or administratively withdraws the student.
• The student ceases attending the institution.
• The student transfers/changes to a substantially different program.
• A student fails to return from an approved Leave of Absence (LOA) or an Intent to Return (ITR).

The withdrawal date is the last date the student performed an Academic-Related Activity.

Date of Determination (DOD)

When a student ceases attending the institution, the withdrawal date is the last date the student performed an Academic-Related Activity. The date of determination is determined as follows:

• For a withdrawal resulting from lack of continuous attendance, excluding LOAs and ITRs:
  • Last date of attendance plus 14 days.
• For a withdrawal resulting from failing to return from an approved LOA or ITR without student notification to the University:
  • The end date of the approved LOA or ITR.
• For a student-initiated withdrawal or an administrative withdrawal for policy violations, the earlier of:
  • The date the student requested to withdraw / the date the University dismissed the student, or;
  • The last date of attendance plus 14 days.
• For a student-initiated withdrawal during an approved LOA or ITR:
  • The date the student requested withdrawal.

The Return to Title IV (R2T4) process begins on the date of determination. After the student has exited, the University makes no further account adjustments or disbursements of Title IV aid and holds any credit balances due to the student until the R2T4 calculation is completed. The University returns funds within 45 days of the date of determination. The exception to this rule is if the student or parent (dependent student) is eligible for a post-withdrawal disbursement of funds earned but not disbursed.

Calculation for the Return of Title IV Funds

The University performs all Return to Title IV calculations in a manner consistent with the rules and guidelines provided by the Department of Education.

Percent of Aid Earned: Non-Term/Term/Subscription - The percent of Title IV aid funds earned is based on the following formula:

• Calendar days completed divided by the total calendar days scheduled, excluding days when the student was on an approved leave of absence or a regularly scheduled break of five or more consecutive days.

If the result (percentage of aid earned) is greater than 60 percent, then 100 percent of the Title IV aid funds disbursed, or that could have been disbursed, are considered earned, and funds need not be returned to the Federal Student Aid (FSA) programs.

Dollar Amount of Aid Earned: Non-Term/Term/Subscription - If the Percent of Aid Earned is 60 percent or less, a return to the Title IV aid programs may be required and the University must determine the dollar amount of aid earned. The amount of Title IV aid funds earned is determined based on the following formula:

• Percent of aid earned multiplied by the sum of the aid disbursed and any aid that could have been disbursed during the period of enrollment.

R2T4 exemptions are as follows:

• Program completion or graduation.
• Successful completion of the payment period/term/subscription period.
• Successful completion of a class that extends the entire length of the payment period/term/subscription period.
• Students who withdrew from the university before becoming financially responsible.

Percent of Aid Earned: Term with Modules - The percent of Title IV aid funds earned is based on the following formula:

• Calendar days completed in the term divided by the total scheduled calendar days of attended modules in the term, excluding days when the student was on a regularly scheduled break of five or more consecutive days.

If the result (percentage of aid earned) is 49 percent or greater, then 100 percent of the Title IV aid funds disbursed, or that could have been disbursed, are considered earned, and funds need not be returned to the Title IV federal financial aid programs.

Dollar Amount of Aid Earned: Term with Modules - If the Percent of Aid Earned is less than 49 percent , a return to the Title IV aid programs may be required and the University must determine the dollar amount of aid earned. The amount of Title IV aid funds earned is determined based on the following formula:

• Percent of aid earned multiplied by the amount of aid disbursed and any aid that could have been disbursed during the term.

Withdraw/R2T4 exemptions are as follows:

• Program completion or graduation.
• Successful completion of 49 percent or more of the term.
• Successfully completing classwork equal to or greater than the requirements of half-time enrollment.
• Students who withdrew from the university before becoming financially responsible.

Institutional Charges

Institutional charges are used to determine the portion of unearned Title IV aid that the school is responsible for returning. Institutional charges do not affect the amount of Title IV aid a student earns when they withdraw. The institutional charges in the calculation are the charges that were initially assessed, or would be assessed, to the student for classes started within the period of enrollment.

Amount to be Returned

A comparison is performed to determine the amount of Title IV aid that must be returned to the federal aid programs. A comparison is made between two calculations, and the lesser amount is the amount of unearned Title IV aid that must be returned to the federal student aid programs. These are the two calculations:

1. The amount of Title IV aid earned is subtracted from the Title IV aid disbursed in the payment period/period of enrollment. This is the amount of Title IV aid that must be returned.
2. The institutional charges for the payment period/period of enrollment are multiplied by the percentage of unearned Title IV aid calculated.

The University notifies the student via email regarding the funds that have been returned on their behalf. The Federal Loan Servicers are informed of the student’s date of withdrawal through enrollment reporting.

The amount of unearned Title IV funds the University must return when the student completes 60 percent or less of the payment period/period of enrollment is determined in the calculation. The amount of Title IV loan funds returned by the University reduces the student’s outstanding Title IV loan balance. The amount of Pell Grant funds returned, if applicable, reduces the student’s reported usage tracked by the Department. 

Post-Withdrawal Disbursement

A post-withdrawal disbursement (PWD) may occur when the dollar amount of aid earned is greater than the amount of aid disbursed. The amount for the PWD is determined by this formula:

• The dollar amount of aid earned – (minus) the total Title IV aid disbursed for the period of enrollment.

If the amount is greater than zero, a PWD can be made if all other requirements are met, including the late disbursement criteria outlined in the Disbursement Process and Eligibility section of the Catalog.

Within 30 days of the DOD, the University sends eligible students a PWD offer letter for any amount of PWD Title IV funds not credited to the student’s account. The offer letter will include:

• Fund source and amount of Title IV aid funds that make up the PWD.
• Fund source and amount of Title IV aid funds that have been credited to the student’s account.
• An explanation that the student or parent may accept or decline some or all of the PWD that is not credited to the student’s account.
• An explanation that informs the student or parent that no PWD will be made if the student or parent does not respond within 14 calendar days of the letter date.
• Instructions that the student or parent must submit the response in writing directly to the Student Financial Services (SFS) team by either e-mail or fax.

Post-Withdrawal Grant funds are always processed and made available before loan funds. Grant funds are disbursed directly to the student account within 45 days of the date of determination.

The University disburses loan funds within 180 calendar days of the DOD for the payment period/period of enrollment being evaluated. The amount the student is eligible for is determined at the time of the return calculation, and the amount of the Post-Withdrawal Disbursement may be less than the full eligibility amount if the student or parent accepts less than the total amount.

The student, or parent to whom a PLUS loan has been made, must accept the loan PWD offer within 14 days of the date of the offer letter. However, if the student (or parent/borrower on a PLUS loan) returns an accepted offer letter after 14 calendar days but within 180 days of the date of determination, the SFS team may disburse funds pending confirmation of eligibility.