Northwestern Health Sciences University provides a wide variety of financial aid programs to assist its students in meeting their educational and cost of attendance needs. For those who qualify, financial aid is available through federal, state, institutional, and private sources. Only students who have been accepted to Northwestern and have submitted their tuition deposit will be considered for financial aid assistance. After a tuition deposit has been paid, new students will be sent an up-to-date financial aid packet (time line determined by the Financial Services Office; generally four months prior to the start of the trimester). Example: For new students starting in the fall term, packets may be sent out by May 15 and aid processed by Aug. 1.

For federal and state assistance, each student must, with their PIN number (from www.pin.ed.gov), complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Students may also call (800) 433-3243 for further assistance regarding FAFSA. The Northwestern Health Sciences University school code is 012328.

All students are responsible for checking on the status of their financial aid to insure that funds are available at the start of a term. Northwestern follows federal, state, private and institutional policies and procedures. When funds have been posted to your Northwestern account, within three business days, tuition and fees will be deducted by the Accounting Office and the balance will be issued as a check within 14 days. Students may pick up checks in the Student Records and Financial Services Office. Checks may not be picked up prior to the first day of classes.

Listed below are all the Northwestern programs approved for federal assistance, as well as loan limits:

Northwestern College of Chiropractic: Federal graduate/health profession limits.

Master's of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine: Federal graduate limits.

School of Massage Therapy Certificate: First-year, first-time undergraduate limits and State of Minnesota resources.

Undergraduate Studies Program (graduate/professional preparatory) undergraduate course work required to complete the dual degree of doctor of chiropractic and bachelor of science in human biology: Federal undergraduate limits.

FEDERAL STUDENT AID AT A GLANCE

Federal PELL Grant

The Federal PELL Grant is available to those eligible students who are considered undergraduate. For those students who are eligible, it should be the first form of financial aid investigated. In order to determine eligibility, the FAFSA must be completed. At your request, the processor will forward that information to the U.S. Department of Education which determines final eligibility. This should be done before applications for student loans are made. Federal PELL Grant amounts are determined by the Federal Government and certified by Student Records and Financial Services.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)

FSEOG is a campus-based award of federal gift money given to eligible undergraduate students. To qualify for this award, a student must be eligible for a Federal PELL Grant and still have additional financial need. U.S. federal guidelines and institutional policies determine amounts.

Federal Perkins Loan

A Federal Perkins loan is a low-interest loan for students with exceptional financial need (undergraduate or graduate). Eligibility for the Federal Perkins Loan, as determined by the Financial Services Office, is considered when students apply for other forms of federal financial aid. The Financial Services Office, along with funding levels from the Department of Education, determines the standard Federal Perkins Loan amount awarded per academic year. Interest starts accumulating nine months after the student is no longer enrolled. Repayment is 12 months.

Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP)

The FFELP program consists of the Subsidized Stafford, Unsubsidized Stafford, PLUS, and PLUS loans. The Federal Stafford Loan Program (subsidized and/or unsubsidized) was established to provide long-term, fixed low-interest loans to eligible students in post-secondary education, while the student is attending school at least half-time.

Loans are generally processed every two trimesters. Using guidelines of the institution and the federal government, "reasonable" cost of attendance is determined for the student only. (All dollar amounts are given in U.S. dollars)

Graduate/Health Profession (Chiropractic):

Up to $8,500 subsidized Stafford Loan (need-based); total (subsidized and unsubsidized) $20,500. As a recognized health profession, up to $12,500 in additional unsubsidized. Aggregate total is $224,000 including undergraduate studies.

Graduate (Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine):

Up to $8,500 subsidized Stafford Loan (need-based); total (subsidized and unsubsidized) $20,500. Aggregate total is $138,500 including undergraduate studies.

Undergraduate Students [Undergraduate Studies Program (graduate/professional preparatory)— undergraduate course work required to complete the dual degree as a doctor of chiropractic and bachelor of science in human biology]:

Federal undergraduate limits apply based on applicable grade level and credits completed. Student's with a bachelor's degree may receive higher undergraduate limits.

Undergraduate (Massage Therapy):

First-year, first-time, undergraduate limits. Aggregate total is $31,000 (dependent), $57,500 independent.

The amounts given are the maximum a student can borrow. Students cannot borrow more than the cost of education (refer to Federal Student Guide), as determined by Northwestern, minus any other financial aid. Students may contact the Financial Services Office for special circumstances and/or budget adjustments.

	Aggregate Loan Maximums (Stafford)
Grade Level	Subsidized	Unsubsidized	Total
Dependent Undergraduate Student (MT)	$23,000	and/or $8,000	$31,000*
Independent Undergraduate	$23,000	+ $34,500	$57,500
Graduate Health Profession	$65,500	+ $158,500**	$224,000**
Graduate (MCAOM)	$65,500	+ $73,000	$138,500

*Combination of subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford loans for dependent undergraduate cannot exceed the total of $23,000.
**Limits for Health Profession - Chiropractic.

Grade level	Perkins	SELF
Dependent Undergraduate	$20,000	$25,000
Independent Undergraduate	$20,000	$25,000
Graduate	$40,000	$40,000

Federal Work Study (FWS)

This is a federally funded, campus-based work program that provides jobs on campus for financially eligible students to work up to an average of 20 hours per week. The University provides positions for students in the library, admissions, building maintenance and laboratory assistance, among others. To determine your Work Study eligibility, you must stop in the Student Records and Financial Services Office. All FWS funds are subject to I.R.S. tax rules and regulations. The Human Resources Department determines wages.

Northwestern also participates in the community service program, which encourages students to get involved in community service activities. Opportunities are coordinated through the community relations coordinator and include community events, literacy or reading programs, clinic receptionists and more.

STUDENT ELIGIBILITY (DRUG CONVICTION)

Ineligibility resulting from drug conviction is limited to offenses that occurred while the student received Title IV assistance.

Minnesota State Grant Program and Student Educational Fund Program (SELF): The Minnesota State Grant Program provides undergraduate students with assistance in meeting the cost of attendance at eligible Minnesota public and private post-secondary institutions of their choice. In order to receive an award, the student must demonstrate financial need, be a Minnesota resident attending an eligible Minnesota institution, be making satisfactory academic progress, and meet any federal and state requirements.

The SELF loan program helps students who need assistance in paying for education beyond high school. To be eligible for the SELF program, a student must be either a:

• Minnesota resident who is enrolled at least half-time in a certificate, associate, baccalaureate or graduate degree program at an eligible school; or
• Non-Minnesota resident who is enrolled at least half-time in a certificate, associate, baccalaureate or graduate degree program at an eligible school located in Minnesota.

To be eligible for a SELF loan, the student must have a creditworthy cosigner and may not be delinquent or in default on a SELF or any other outstanding student loan. SELF loan counseling is also required.

The State of Minnesota also requires the completion of the FAFSA. More information is available at www.getreadyforcollege.org.

ALTERNATIVE/PRIVATE LOAN PROGRAMS

There are alternative loans available (including those for international students). However, there are limitations, so contact the Financial Services Office for more information.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Northwestern offers a wide variety of institutional aid including scholarships and endowments. Northwestern scholarships are awarded based on financial resources, academic performance, service/leadership involvement, trimester level, scholarship history, and faculty/clinic recommendation. Funds from outside agencies may also be available.

Institutional scholarships and grants are intended to encourage geographical, cultural and socioeconomic diversity at Northwestern. Please note that the availability of funds is based on contributions, interest-bearing accounts and institutional funding. Actual amounts may vary.

For more information on institutional scholarships and grants, click here.

CANADIAN AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

For those who qualify, students may apply for Canadian and Provincial Loans, Northwestern International Scholarships and Canadian Tuition Reciprocity (if applicable). Private loans may be available based on credit rating, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident cosigner, or other limitations.

Contact the Financial Services Office for more information at (952) 888-4777, ext. 387.