FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The financial aid process is similar for both graduate and undergraduate students. Unless otherwise indicated, the response is applicable to all NUHS students applying for financial aid. Specific information on how to apply for aid is found in the “Getting Started” section of each academic program. The answers below reference general financial aid information that will answer most students’ questions.
THE FINANCIAL AID PROCESS
How does the Financial Aid (FA) process work?
- Students must begin the process by completing the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA). An FSA ID will be required. See What is a FSA ID? below.
- National University of Health Science’s school code is 001732.
- Beginning approximately three (3) months prior to each trimester’s start, an informational email is sent to newly applied/accepted students outlining the aid process with appropriate NUHS web page links.
- Submitted FAFSA data is reviewed, and the applicant is contacted if additional clarification and/or documents are required in order to determine an aid package.
Award letters are sent via U.S. mail to the applicant with specific instructions on how to obtain awarded funds.
When do I apply for Financial Aid (FA)?
If I want to transfer from another first professional program, can I transfer my financial aid to your school as well?
How can I best reach FA at National University, if I call the FA line and don’t get a return call?
You may reach out the Office of Financial Aid at [email protected].
National University’s Office of Financial Aid understands the challenges you face in financing your education. We are here to assist you in that process. Our goal is to make the financial aid process as easy as possible for you.
Office Location: The Financial Aid Office is located on the second floor of Janse Hall.
Office Hours: Mon., Wed., Thurs., Fri: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. / Tues: 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
FAFSA
What is a FAFSA?
The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students submit the FAFSA to apply for financial aid for college from the federal government, state governments and most colleges and universities. About 20 million students file the FAFSA each year. Financial aid includes grants, scholarships, student employment and student loans.
As the name suggests, the FAFSA is a free form, and can be filed online at studentaid.gov. There is no need to pay anybody for help filing the FAFSA.
Is a Personal Identification Number (PIN) Required
What is an FSA ID?
The first step, before filling out the FAFSA, is to create an FSA ID, which serves as an electronic signature. Parents and students can find a link to obtain an FSA ID through the Federal Student Aid website. To create a unique ID, applicants will need their Social Security number, date of birth and their name as it appears on official documents.
The FSA ID is required in order to sign the FAFSA online and to log in to the myStudentAid mobile app.
When should I fill out my FAFSA form?
Examples: Complete the 2021/2022 FAFSA for a September 2021 start in June 2021, January 2022 in October 2021, or for May 2022 in February 2022.
Which year do I fill out the FAFSA forms?
You have to fill out the FAFSA form every year you’re in school in order to stay eligible for federal student aid.
Will someone be able to help me with my FAFSA?
- Download the “Complete the FAFSA” for a detailed guide to completing the application, including help on specific questions.
- Additionally, the federal government can help if you have questions with the form. If you are not sure which service center to call, contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243 or by email at [email protected].
- When you are working on the FAFSA online, you can also click the “Live Help” button.
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Why do I have to include my spouse's information on the FAFSA?
I will be taking Prerequisite Program courses at NUHS before enrolling in a graduate program. How do I fill out the FAFSA?
- Indicate that you are at the 5th year undergraduate level
- Indicate you are enrolling in a non-degree program
- Indicate enrollment in an undergraduate program. These data elements are updated to graduate responses prior to enrollment in a graduate program.
Those taking courses in the Prerequisite Program at NUHS who have submitted an application for an NUHS professional degree will receive a 50% discount on courses required for admission to DC or ND programs.
I was selected for "verification." What does that mean?
If you were selected for “verification,” you will receive notification from the Office of Financial Aid requesting certain documents to verify that the data reported on your FAFSA was correct. These documents might include, but are not limited to, federal tax returns, W-2, a verification worksheet, and proof of citizenship. Once your file has been verified the Office of Financial Aid will notify you of your financial aid eligibility.
Students selected for verification must submit requested documents in the timeframe specified in order to receive a financial aid Award Letter. Eligible applicants who fail to provide requested documents by the last date of enrollment or August 20 of any award year (e.g., August 20, 2021 for the 2021-2022 year) will be ineligible to receive federal financial aid.
How long will the verification process take?
What if something is discovered to be incorrect on my FAFSA during the verification process?
How will I know that the verification process has been completed?
What else will I need to turn in to the Office of Financial Aid?
RECEIVING AWARDS AND FINANCIAL AID
What is an award?
What should be in my Financial Aid Award Letter?
Your award letter will list the types and amounts of aid being offered. Aid may be a grant, a scholarship, a loan, work-study—or a combination of these aid types.
The award letter should also include:
- A breakdown of the college’s cost of attendance (COA)
- Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
- The amount of your financial need the college is meeting
- The deadline for accepting the aid offered
- How and when the money will be disbursed
- The academic period the award covers
- The process for accepting or declining aid
- Any additional documentation needed
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How will I be notified of my awards?
First-time students applying for financial aid will be sent an award offer via U.S. postal mail. Included will be the amount and source of awarded funds, along with additional required steps to receive the aid offered.
Continuing students will be informed when aid for the award period is entered and viewable at mynu.chiropractic.edu. The Financial Services Office sends estimated billing statements to all students three (3) weeks prior to the start of the upcoming term.
How long does it take to receive an award letter after applying for aid?
What do I do with my award letter when I receive it?
RECEIVING LOAN FUNDS
How do I get my loan funds?
After completing all required steps to obtain loan funds, the Federal Direct Loan funds (DL) are transferred electronically to the Office of Financial Services at NUHS at the start of each trimester. Prior to releasing funds to your account, your enrollment status will be reviewed and your financial aid may be reduced if any changes in enrollment reduce the budget on which aid is based.
When will I be packaged by FA? (How long will it take for my loan funds to arrive)?
After confirming that all required forms were received, and enrollment status verified, your loan funds should arrive the second week of class.
How will I know that the funds were applied to my account?
Can I have my refund check direct deposited to my checking account?
USING LOAN FUNDS?
Are housing costs included in loans?
The living expense amount is based on where you are living for the year. Whether living on-campus, off-campus or at home with parents/relatives, this is a fixed amount allocated for living expenses that needs to be carefully budgeted for the year. This includes allowances for rent, utilities, food, transportation, and personal expenses.
Financial aid funds are to be used solely for educational expenses. Under no circumstances will non-educational expenses be included in the Cost of Attendance. These expenses include items such as car payments, credit card payments, recreation, higher than normal rent/mortgage, spousal insurance, moving expenses, and security deposits. Living allowance information is listed in the “Cost Estimates” section in each program.
Will I receive enough funds to cover the cost of education?
Undergraduate students are eligible for a variety of federal aid sources. Individual eligibility is based on demonstrated financial need (through submission of the FAFSA). Students may receive a Pell Grant, a Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant, and Illinois residents may receive the Monetary Award Program (MAP) Grant. Additionally, since undergraduate courses are held in the evening, most students maintain part-time employment to assist with their educational costs. In addition to personal and family resources, undergraduate students may borrow from non-federal, private loan programs. These loans are credit-based and may require a co-signer.
Parents of undergraduate dependent students may borrow from the Parent PLUS loan, a low-cost, credit-based loan available through the Federal Direct Parent PLUS program. Interested parents should contact the Office of Financial Aid for further information.
Graduate students are generally able to borrow the estimated Cost of Education through the Direct Loan (not credit-based) and/or Graduate PLUS (credit-based) loan programs.
Degree seeking students may also work on campus under the Federal College Work Study program to help meet their expenses and to reduce the amount of loan.
What if I decide I don't need to borrow as much as I did?
How do I purchase my textbooks and supplies?
What happens if I reduce the number of classes I take in a trimester?
What if I withdraw?
What happens if I don't pass my classes?
SCHOLARSHIPS
When and how do I apply for scholarships I may be eligible for?
Undergraduate Students
Federal Student Aid recommends that students start researching for scholarships the summer after their junior year of high school. Every scholarship has different rules and different deadlines. Some even require submissions a year prior to starting college.
Graduate Students
Enrolled students will be informed when to apply for institutional scholarships.
What scholarships are available?
A wide array of scholarships are available to NUHS students. For an up-to-date listing, click here.
Do I have to fill out additional paperwork?
Not for institutional scholarships. Submit a completed application and required documents (if applicable) to the Office of Financial Aid. You may apply for more than one scholarship using the same application.
Applications are also available in the Office of Financial Aid.
Do you have any additional resources to help prospective students find scholarships?
Yes, several sources are listed below:
Fastweb
GoGrad
Unigo
CollegeScholarships.org
Scholarships.com
Scholly
Sallie Mae’s Graduate School Scholarship Search
MILITARY BENEFITS
What military benefits or tuition discounts are available to students?
- Veterans Affairs Educational Benefits
National University is approved to offer assistance to students using Veterans Administration benefits for educational purposes. Any students interested in determining for which benefits they may be eligible must speak with the Registrar. All veterans must provide a copy of their DD214 and complete VA form 22-1995, or 22-1990 if they have attended college previously. - Yellow Ribbon Program
National University participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. The Yellow Ribbon Program ensures that students receiving benefits at the 100% rate under the Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) will receive full tuition and fees paid while pursuing their education at NUHS. - Introduction to Database Systems
I have served in the military, but don’t qualify for the Yellow Ribbon Program, what other benefits are available?
TUITION & TUITION PAYMENTS
What is the tuition cost at NUHS?
How are tuition payments broken down?
All tuition and fees are due and payable as indicated on the fee schedule furnished each term. The student must make arrangements for payment of tuition and fees in full prior to the first day of class through one of the Payment Options below.
- Payment Plan: Pay one-fourth of the tuition prior to the first day of class and one- fourth each of the next three months due on the first day of the month.
- Payment Options include: cash, personal check, money order, cashier’s check, traveler’s checks, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, Payment Plan, financial assistance through the Financial Aid Office, or Veterans Education benefits.
- Students wishing to use Veterans education benefits to cover tuition costs must provide the VA official at their campus location with a certificate of eligibility. Students who provide the certificate and are determined eligible for education benefits under Chapter 31, Chapter 33, Yellow Ribbon and Vocational Rehabilitation will not be subject to late fees, fines or holds during the waiting period for their VA tuition payments to arrive.
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Can I pay monthly as a new student until my financial aid loans go through?
MISCELLANEOUS
What is FERPA?
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?
Contact the Office of Financial Aid at 630-889-6518, or [email protected].
HELPFUL LINKS
Article: What is the FAFSA?
Article: Completing the FAFSA – Everything You Should Know