Financial Aid

Both Federal and Institutional employment earnings are paid in monthly checks to the student based on the hours worked during that pay period. You have the check to use to pay your bills and use as you need.

Visit www.irs.gov or call Toll-Free, 1-800-908-9946.

If you can answer "yes" to any of these questions, you are considered independent and do not need parent information when completing the FAFSA:

• Will you be 24 years old by January 1st of the award year?
• Are you working on a MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, or graduate certificate or degree?
• As of today (the day you complete the FAFSA) are you married?
• Do you have children who will receive more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013? (Child Support counts as support)
• Do you have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half of their support from you, now and through June 30, 2013?
• Are (a) both of your parents deceased, or (b) are you (or were you until age 18) a ward/dependent of the court?
• Are you currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for the purposes other than training?
• Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces?
• Are you or were you an emancipated minor as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?
• Are you or were you in legal guardianship as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?
• At any time on or after July 1, 2011, did your high school or school district homeless liason determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
• At any time on or after July 1, 2011, did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless?
• At any time on or after July 1, 2011, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?

If you can't answer "yes"  to ANY of these questions then you are dependent and need to use parent information when completing the FAFSA. If you have not lived with parents for a number of years, or it is impossible to get their information, contact the Financial Aid Office.

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Not necessarily. Federal Pell Grant remains the same amount at all schools, for the same enrollment status (full-time, 3/4-time, 1/2-time status). Other grants, loans, Federal Work-Study, and scholarships can vary based upon the school's cost of attendance, your enrollment status, your area of study/major, and the amount of funds the college has available to award. You should apply for everything you qualify for to receive the best financial aid award package you can receive.

If your financial aid awards for the academic year exceed your Cost of Attendance, NWC scholarship funding will be reduced.

Outside scholarships may decrease the amount of student loan you qualify for. Also, If you are a Wyoming student with the Hathaway Scholarship, the amount of Hathaway may be decreased if you have more financial aid than the COA.

NWC does not automatically package student loans, so you may not see one on your award letter. If you indicate on the FAFSA that you are interested in borrowing a student loan, we send you information on how to apply.  You may also apply online at www.northwestcollege.edu/stafford . 

Once you have completed the Stafford MPN application we will request the lender to send the funds to NWC.

Completing the financial aid process from beginning to end takes time. Each student's actual processing time will depend upon when you apply and how quickly you respond to requests from our office. The process normally takes 12 to 16 weeks from completing the FAFSA to receiving an Award Letter.

No. Financial aid is subject to change each year based on a variety of factors;

• FAFSA information and/or formula changes
• Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) number from FAFSA
• Cost of attendance
• Other types & amounts of aid or scholarships you are awarded
• Enrollment status changes
• Satisfactory academic progress standing

Payment fees day is the first day of classes each semester.  If you have not been awarded at this point or your aid is not enough to cover your costs you can set up a payment plan.

Payment plans can be arranged with Tuition Management Systems by calling 1-800-356-8329 or going on line to afford.com/northwestcollege .

Students who show need qualify for need-based grants (Pell and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants) and College Work Study. Any student can borrow a Stafford Loan; Subsidized is need-based and interest free while the student is enrolled at least 1/2 time; Unsubsidized Stafford loan is not need-based and anyone enrolled at least 1/2 time can borrow this loan.

Cost of Attendance (COA) is based on government guidelines and average costs. A COA for Pell Grant includes allowance for tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies. COA for Campus-Based funds (FSEOG, FWS, & Direct Loans) include the above plus transportation and personal expenses. COA can only include costs of attendance for the student. Additional living allowances for married students or additional family members are not included in student budgets.

The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is the amount you and your family are expected to contribute toward your college costs. It includes a student contribution for all students and a parent contribution for dependent students. The EFC is calculated from the information provided on your FAFSA and reflects the amount the government believes you and your family can afford. In some cases, the EFC may be zero. If you do not believe your EFC accurately reflects your family's ability to pay for your education, due to a change in family or financial circumstances, contact the FAO.

For financial aid purposes, financial need is determined by the following formula:

How Eligibility is Calculated:
   Cost of Attendance
- Expected Family Contribution
   Financial Need

Cost of Attendance (COA) is based on government guidelines and average costs. A COA for Pell Grant includes allowance for tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies. COA for Campus-Based funds (FSEOG, FWS, & Direct Loans) include the above plus transportation and personal expenses. COA can only include costs of attendance for the student. Additional living allowances for married students or additional family members are not included in student budgets.

Federal Work-Study and Student Employment are just like any other job. You may have to pay taxes on your earnings. You should estimate how much you will earn during the academic year and the summer and then complete the W-4 form so that you have the appropriate federal income taxes withheld if needed.