Fees, Expenses, Financial Aid

Several payment options are available at NSU including cash, check, and online options such as credit card and electronic check. The Bursar Services website contains more information on how to pay on an account. Please note: Credit card payments are accepted online only and will be assessed a 2.75% convenience fee.

All fees and charges are subject to change without notice.

The general enrollment charges include tuition and mandatory fees assessed per credit hour enrolled.

Charges for Each Semester Hour

Audit fee without credit is the same as scheduled above.

Charges For Each Semester Hour

Audit fee without credit is the same as scheduled above.

All except bona fide residents of Oklahoma must pay a non-resident fee. The residence of a dependent student is that of his parents or guardian unless he can show reason why his residence should not be so defined. It is assumed that students know their correct resident status and that on their application and registration blanks they state truthfully the facts concerning it. Students in doubt should request clarification by writing to the Admissions Office in advance of registration.

Fitness Center Charges

Members of the NSU community may purchase a membership to the Center. Individual or family memberships are available for students, NSU faculty, staff and emeriti faculty and staff. Family membership includes spouses and children less than 21 years of age still living at home and attending school.

Children of all members and guests must be accompanied by a parent unless the child is over 16 years old. Children must be 14 years old to use the handball/racquetball courts and weight room. Participants in intramural sports must have a Fitness Center membership.

Educational Tours

Northeastern State University sponsors educational tours which are conducted under university direction. The costs and schedules for each tour are announced in advance. Credit may be established on either the undergraduate or graduate level with academic fees being determined by the amount and type of credit established.

Assistance from Other Sources

Other state and federal financial assistance are available to qualified students including Vocational Rehabilitation, Veterans benefits, and assistance from the Department of Human Services. Students are encouraged to contact the appropriate government office in their community for more information about these programs.

Tuition and Fee Payment

All tuition and fees are due by the first day of the regular semester. Financial aid will be applied to accounts within the first 30 days of the regular semester.

Monthly late charges will apply towards unpaid balances beginning the first month after the start of the regular semester.

Unpaid Student Accounts

Unpaid accounts receivable are considered to be in violation of university regulations as set forth by the Board of Regents and therefore become disciplinary matters. A hold will be placed on university records and future enrollment until such violations are corrected. Access to meal plans and charge accounts may be denied.

In addition, unpaid accounts may be assigned for collection. If an account is assigned, any collection costs, court costs, and/or attorney’s fees necessary to collect the amount owed will be added to the balance due. The balance due may be reported to national credit bureaus, which may adversely affect credit ratings.

A student who drops individual classes or completely withdraws during the first two weeks of the regular fall/spring semester or during the first week of the regular summer semester is eligible for a refund of tuition and fees.

Refunds are calculated based on the day the official withdrawal is filed in the Registrar’s Office (in person, by fax, or by post mark date), not when the student stopped attending classes. A credit will be issued to the student’s Bursar account for the full amount if the class is dropped within the time listed below.

• 16 week class - First day of class through the tenth business day
• 8 week class - First day of class through the fifth business day
• 4 week class - First day of class through the fourth business day
• 2 week class - First day of class through the second business day
• Weekend course - First day of class

If a credit balance occurs on the student’s Bursar account due to a refund of fees and/or other charges, the student may be issued a refund of that credit balance. Refunds from NSU are processed via direct deposit. Prior to the refund, the student can create an eRefund Account online through goNSU and the Manage Bursar Account link. Please note: Students who drop classes or withdraw from the university after financial aid has applied to their Bursar account may be obligated to return financial aid funds.

The Bursar Services website contains more information on Refunds.

Refund Policy for Financial Aid Recipients Who Withdraw

Any student receiving federal financial assistance who completely withdraws from or fails all classes at NSU will be subject to the Return of Title IV Funds refund policy required by federal regulation.  Any student receiving federal financial assistance who drops a single course before the course starts, BUT after they have been paid at NSU may be subject to the Return to Title IV funds.  Any student who does not begin attendance in all courses for which they are enrolled in may be subject to the Return of Title IV funds.

This policy applies to students receiving assistance through the Pell Grant, Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant, Teach Grant, Perkins Loan, Subsidized Stafford Loan, Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, and Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students Programs.

This policy assumes a student earns his or her financial aid based on the period of time the student remains enrolled through the semester. Upon withdrawal, Student Financial Services will determine the date of the student’s withdrawal on record in the Office of Admissions and will calculate the amount of financial assistance the student earned while enrolled in classes according the following formula: number of days enrolled divided by total number of days in the semester.

If the amount of federal aid disbursed exceeds the amount of federal aid earned as of the date of withdrawal, either the university, the student, or both are required to return some portion of the federal aid received. Late disbursements for which the student is eligible are required to be included.

Students who remain enrolled beyond the 60% point of the semester are considered to have earned 100% of the financial aid received. Students who are enrolled for less than 60% of the semester will likely be responsible for repaying a portion of the financial aid received.

Student Financial Services will calculate the amount of any refund due according the Return of Title IV Funds Formula outlined in federal regulation. Examples of this refund formula are available in Student Financial Services. Any refund amount calculated from this formula will be returned to the appropriate federal financial aid programs. Refunds for financial aid recipients are never given directly to the student. Calculated refunds amounts are returned to the federal financial aid programs in the following order: Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, Subsidized Stafford Loan, Perkins Loan, PLUS Loan, Federal Pell Grant, SEOG Grant, other federal financial aid programs.

Under this policy, the date of withdrawal is the date the student began the withdrawal process by contacting the NSU Office of Admissions either in person or by phone to complete a Notice of Withdrawal form. If a student leaves NSU without contacting the Office of Admissions to formally withdraw, the withdrawal date will be designated as the midpoint of the semester or the last date of attendance at a documented academically related activity. For students who fail to return from an approved leave of absence, the withdrawal date will be designated as the date the leave of absence began.

Dropping Courses  

If you do not begin attendance in all of the courses for which you have received financial aid, you may be obligated to repay all or a portion of your financial aid.  (Note: Dropping a course(s) will also affect your Satisfactory Academic Progress, please read the SAP policy below.)

NSU’s financial aid program is designed to recognize outstanding achievement and leadership potential and to assist those who otherwise would be unable to attend the University. NSU has its own scholarship and work programs and also participates in all traditional types of financial assistance available through the state and the federal government.

Students at NSU receive funds from a variety of sources to pay for their education, including scholarships, grants, part-time jobs and educational loans. This money comes from federal and state agencies as well as private donors.

We believe that the student and the family should make an investment in the students’ education. We are committed to working with families to make an NSU education affordable.

Most federal and state educational assistance is based on financial need as determined by the information you provide on the FAFSA. Financial need is the difference between the cost of attending NSU and the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) calculated using formulas prescribed by federal regulation.

1. Apply for admission to NSU.

2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1st each year. The most efficient method for students to apply for financial aid is to complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.gov.

3. Respond promptly to any correspondence requesting additional information.  All correspondence will be sent via students NSU email account, so it’s important that students check their NSU email account regularly as well as their goNSU student account.

4. Financial aid applicants will be notified of their financial aid eligibility through their NSU email account and via their goNSU student account.

All aid awarded to students through Student Financial Services, is awarded based on several factors:

• Students expected family contribution (EFC) which calculated from the students’ FAFSA.
• Students enrollment status, i.e. full time etc…
• Students living arrangements, i.e. on-campus etc…
• Outside resources that student may be receiving, i.e. scholarships, tribal grants etc…

Grants: money available for education that does not require repayment

PELL - Federal Pell Grant. Based on financial need. Available only to undergraduates. Pell grants have a lifetime limit of 12 full time semesters (or its equivalent).

SEOG - Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant. Available only to undergraduates with exceptional financial need, limited funding available.

OTAG - Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant. Available to needy Oklahoma residents who enroll at least half-time in an undergraduate program. Must file a FAFSA by March 1 to be considered.

Tribal Assistance - Available for Native American students; please apply early to appropriate tribal higher education agency.

Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant (Teach Grant) - Through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, Congress created the Teach Grant program that provides grants of up to $3,964 per year to students who intend to teach in a high-need field within a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families. Students can find the requirements for this grant on NSU’s Financial Aid website under the grant section. Teach Grant awards are pro-rated based on enrollment.

Employment: part-time employment allowing students to earn money to pay for educational expenses and gain valuable work experience.

FWS - Federal Work-Study Program. On-campus employment. Normally fifteen hours per week at minimum wage. Financial aid eligibility is required, limited funding available

Institutional Employment- On-campus employment. Normally twenty hours per week at minimum wage. Financial aid eligibility is not required.

Job Location and Development - Provides assistance in locating off-campus employment. Financial aid eligibility is not required.

Loans: money available for education requiring repayment with interest.

Recent updates to Direct Stafford Loans  

• All first time Direct Stafford loan borrowers will experience a 30 day delay in the disbursement of their Direct Stafford loans to their NSU bursar accounts.  This delay will be 30 days from the beginning of their first semester of borrowing only. 
• Any students who is attending a summer term OR one semester only during the fall/spring terms will receive their loan disbursements in two disbursements, half of their loan funds at the beginning of the semester and half mid semester. 
• All first time undergraduate subsidized loan borrowers are only eligible for subsidized loans up to 150% of their first bachelors degree program length, which is 186 attempted hours for programs that are 124 hours in length.

FEDERAL PERKINS LOAN - Money borrowed through NSU at 5% interest. Must be enrolled at least half-time. Available to both undergraduates and graduates, limited funding available.  Repayment begins nine months after graduation or leaving school.

DIRECT Subsidized Stafford LOAN - Money borrowed from the US Department of Education at a fixed interest rate which is currently 4.66%. Repayment begins six months after graduation or six months after leaving school.

DIRECT Unsubsidized Stafford LOAN - Money borrowed from the US Department of Education at a fixed interest rate which is currently 4.66%. Repayment begins six months after graduation or six months after leaving school; borrower is responsible for interest payments while in school.

Loans listed above do have maximum yearly, as well as lifetime limits.  A chart acknowledging these limits may be found on our website under the loan section.

Federal regulations require that all recipients of student financial assistance make satisfactory academic progress toward a degree or certificate. Students applying for assistance through the Federal Pell Grant, Teach Grant, Federal SEOG, Federal Work Study, Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant (OTAG), Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan, Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, Federal Parent PLUS Loan and Graduate PLUS loan programs are required to meet THREE separate requirements in maintaining their financial aid eligibility at NSU.

First, students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average.
Second, students are required to complete (pass) a certain percentage of hours they attempt.
Third, students must complete their degree within a timely manner.       

These three requirements are summarized in the following charts. Failure to meet ALL of these minimum academic standards will result in the loss of financial aid eligibility. Students are expected to know, based on this Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy, when they may be placed on financial aid suspension.  Satisfactory Academic Progress is reviewed at the end of each academic semester once grades have been posted.

I. Grade Point Average Requirement

Each student must meet a minimum cumulative grade point average to remain eligible for federal student aid.

III.  Maximum Time Frame for Degree Completion

Students must complete their degree program within an allotted time frame to remain eligible for financial aid. The chart below indicates the time frame in which a degree must be acquired. Be aware that hour limits are cumulative; therefore, all hours from all institutions you have attended will be included. Student Financial Services recommends that students who have attempted 150 hours towards their first Bachelor’s degree logon to NSU’s Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) to ensure they are taking the courses necessary to complete their degrees. For financial aid purposes grades of A, B, C, D, F, P, S, W, AW, WP, WF, I, N, NP, X and U are all considered attempted hours. Once students reach their maximum time frame for their specified degree, they are no longer eligible for federal student aid.

Attempted Hours Allowed for Earning a Degree

186 Hours - First Bachelor’s Degree                 48 Hours - First Master’s Degree

240 Hours- Additional Undergrad Work         80 Hours - Additional Master’s Work

Repeated Coursework

Title IV funds may only pay for one repeat of a previously passed course.  More than one repeated course will not be calculated in your enrollment status pertaining to Title IV funds.

• Satisfactory Academic Progress is evaluated at the conclusion of each academic semester after grades have been posted.  All attempted and transfer hours are counted during this evaluation.
• A WARNING is given to students for one semester who do not meet both requirements I. and II. listed above.  This is a warning status and students can receive financial aid during their next semester of attendance.  NOTE:  A warning is not given to students regarding maximum time frame, it is the student’s responsibility to know how many hours they have attempted and where they stand.
• SUSPENSION will be required for any students who fail to meet both requirements I. and II. at the conclusion of their warning semester.  Students cannot receive funds from the aid programs listed above while suspended.  (SEE APPEAL OF SUSPENSION)
• Rules are applied uniformly to all students whether or not aid has been received previously.

A student with extenuating circumstances may appeal the financial aid suspension by submitting a written appeal to the Office of Student Financial Services. Appeals must explain in detail why the student failed to meet the minimum academic standards, what extenuating circumstances caused the failure, and how the situation has since improved. Examples of extenuating circumstances include illness, medical issues with immediate family members, or a death in the family. Personal or financial issues with family, friends, or roommates are not considered extenuating circumstances. The appeal should include supporting documentation to substantiate the request for reinstatement. A student’s typed appeal should include:

1. The reason(s) why the student failed to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress.
2. Supporting documentation that may be pertinent to the student’s appeal.
3. An academic plan for success which should include the following components:
   1. What has changed in the students life that will enable them to be a successful student in the future.
   2. The student must supply a detailed breakdown of the courses/grades needed for the student to complete their graduation requirements.
   3. The student must read and acknowledge that they understand the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.

The appeal and all supporting documentation will be reviewed by the financial aid appeal committee and be approved or denied. The results of the appeal will be emailed/posted to the student’s NSU Greenmail account within approximately ten working days. The results will also be posted to the students goNSU account.  All decisions made by the financial aid appeal committee are final.

If denied, the student is responsible for paying for their own educational costs until the student improves his/her scholastic record to meet the minimum standards.  Students who were denied due to maximum time frame are responsible for paying for their own educational costs for the remainder of their degree program.

If approved, the student will either be:

1. Placed on probation for one semester only, or
2. Placed on an academic plan, academic plans will be monitored at the conclusion of every semester.

The student’s approval email/letter will explain all requirements that must be met during his/her probationary period to continue to receive financial aid.

A student who fails to complete a single course or has a complete withdrawal from the university after receiving financial aid may be automatically placed on suspension.

Student Responsibility

Students are held responsible for reading and understanding the Satisfactory Academic Progress eligibility requirements and knowing their status at the end of each semester.  If questions arise, contact the Office of Student Financial Services at 918-444-3456.

**PLEASE NOTE: Financial aid warning, probation, and suspension are separate from academic probation and suspension.

Our goal at NSU is to seek the best and brightest students in the area. Each year we award many of these students scholarships based on merit, talent, and financial need. The NSU scholarship programs are extensive and offer many competitive awards.

The following scholarships are available to students entering college for the first time directly after graduation from high school. Scholarship application forms can be obtained on-line at http://scholarships.nsuok.edu , or by contacting the NSU Scholarship Office. Most NSU Scholarship Programs have a February 1 deadline unless otherwise noted in the descriptions below.

Baccalaureate Scholars

Each year up to fifteen outstanding entering freshmen are selected as Baccalaureate Scholars. Eligibility is based on an ACT composite score of 30 or higher and a 3.5 or higher high school GPA, or status as a National Merit Semifinalist or Commended Student by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. This three part scholarship consists of an educational stipend from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, an NSU Regents Tuition Waiver, and an NSU Room Waiver for those students living on campus in NSU housing.

Award: $10,695/year, 4 year award
Deadline: February 1
Application Form: Freshman and Honors Scholarship Application

Academic Scholars

Students automatically qualify for the Academic Scholars program by being named a Presidential Scholar by the U.S. Department of Education, a National Merit Scholar or National Merit Finalist by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, or by scoring in the 99th percentile of the American College Testing program. In addition to automatic qualifiers, 5 additional Academic Scholars are selected by NSU each year. The recipients of these five scholarships must meet one of the following two requirements: Must achieve an ACT composite score of 30 or higher, OR achieve a high school GPA of 3.8 or above AND a ranking in the top 4% of the high school graduating class. This three part scholarship consists of an educational stipend from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, an NSU Regents Tuition Waiver, and an NSU Room Waiver for those students living on campus in NSU housing.

Award: $9,695/year, 4 year award
Deadline: February 1
Application Form: Freshman and Honors Scholarship Application

NSU Presidents Leadership Class

The PLC is a unique leadership/scholarship program designed to cultivate outstanding potential in proven student leaders. Applicants for the PLC should display outstanding leadership capability and must have an exceptionally strong academic record. High school seniors invited to enter the Presidents Leadership Class last year had a mode ACT composite score of 27.

Award: $8,745/year, 4 year award
Deadline: February 1
Application Form: Freshman Leadership Application

RISE Scholars

The RiverHawks Initiating Service and Engagement (RISE) Scholarship Program is a service and community engagement program designed to maximize the service potential of new incoming freshmen.  The primary goals of the program are to create, maintain and grow service and community/civic engagement opportunities in the NSU community.   Applicants should have a strong academic record and a passion to contribute, through service, to the campus and local communities.

Award: $8,745/year, 4 year award
Deadline: February 1
Application Form: Freshman Leadership Application

Collegiate Scholars

The Collegiate Scholarship is automatically awarded to entering freshmen with an ACT composite score of 26 or above and a 3.5 high school grade point average or higher. This scholarship is applied toward tuition only and does not cover other enrollment fees, books, or housing costs.

Award: $4,150/year, 4 year award
Deadline: March 1
Application Form: Freshman and Honors Scholarship Application

University Scholars

This two year scholarship is offered to entering freshmen with an ACT composite score of 26 or higher and a high school grade point average of 3.0 to 3.49. This scholarship is applied toward tuition only and does not cover other enrollment fees, books, or housing costs.

Award: $3,900/year, 2 year award
Deadline: March 1
Application Form: Freshman and Honors Scholarship Application

Valedictorian Scholars

This four-year scholarship is awarded to incoming freshmen who hold the honor of being the Valedictorian of their high school graduating class. To qualify for this scholarship, freshmen must have a class rank of 1, and an ACT composite score of 20 or higher. This scholarship is applied toward tuition only and does not cover other enrollment fees, books, or housing costs.

Award: Up to $3,300/year, 4 year award
Deadline: March 1
Application Form: Freshman and Honors Scholarship Application

Green and White Scholars

This two year scholarship is offered to incoming freshmen with an ACT composite score of 22-25, and a high school grade point average of 3.25 or higher. This scholarship is applied toward tuition only and does not cover other enrollment fees, books, or housing costs.

Award: Up to $3,050/year, 2 year award
Deadline: March 1
Application Form: Freshman and Honors Scholarship Application

Freshman Scholars

This one year scholarship is awarded to entering freshmen with an ACT composite score of 20-21 and a high school grade point average of 3.25 or higher. The amount of the scholarship varies according to academic performance. This scholarship is applied toward tuition only and does not cover other enrollment fees, books, or housing costs.

Award: Up to $2,000 /year, 1 year award
Deadline: March 1
Application Form: Freshman and Honors Scholarship Application

NSU Foundation Scholarships

This one year scholarship is awarded to entering freshmen with an ACT composite score of 20 or higher and a high school grade point average of 3.25 or higher. The amount of the scholarship varies according to academic performance. This scholarship is applied toward tuition only and does not cover other enrollment fees, books, or housing costs.

Award: Up to $1,600 /year, 1 year award
Deadline: March 1
Application Form: Freshman and Honors Scholarship Application

The following scholarships are available to students who have completed a minimum number of college credit hours at the time application is made. Scholarship application forms can be obtained on-line at http://scholarships.nsuok.edu , or by contacting the NSU Scholarship Office.

Transfer Connections Scholars

Transfer Connections Scholarships are available to transfer students who have completed at least 48 credit hours at another institution with at least a 3.8 cumulative grade point average. Recipients must be residents of the State of Oklahoma. This scholarship is applied toward tuition only and does not cover other enrollment fees, books, or housing costs.

Award: Up to $2,500/year, 2 year award
Deadline: March 1
Application Form: Transfer Student Application

Advantage Transfer Scholars

Advantage Transfer Scholarships are available to transfer students who have completed at least 24 credit hours at another institution with at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average. Recipients must be residents of the State of Oklahoma. This scholarship is applied toward tuition only and does not cover other enrollment fees, books, or housing costs.

Award: Up to $2,100/year, 1 year award
Deadline: March 1
Application Form: Transfer Student Application

NSU Foundation Scholarships

The NSU Foundation was established in 1973. Its primary function is to assist academic programs throughout the university. This function is supported by the generous donations of NSU alumni and friends whose annual gifts are used to offer numerous privately funded scholarships each year. These scholarships are awarded based on academic performance, grade point average, college major, activities, talents, and many other criteria. Award amounts vary by scholarship program.

Award: Varies
Deadline: March 1
Application Form: Transfer Scholarship Application

Scholarship application forms for continuing students can be obtained on-line at http://scholarships.nsuok.edu , or by contacting the NSU Scholarship Office. Most NSU Scholarship Programs have a February 1 deadline unless otherwise noted in the descriptions below.

Regents Tuition Waiver Scholarships

This scholarship is awarded to continuing students based on academic performance. Scholarship recipients are selected by committees from within the various academic departments at NSU. Students are required to have a minimum 3.5 cumulative college grade point average for consideration. Scholarships for continuing students are highly competitive, and most academic departments award scholarship funds first to students with a 4.0 cumulative grade point average, and awards to additional students based on the availability of funds.

Award: Up to $1400 per year, 1 year award
Deadline: February 1
Application Form: Continuing Student Application

NSU Foundation Scholarships

The NSU Foundation was established in 1973. Its primary function is to assist academic programs throughout the university. This function is supported by the generous donations of NSU alumni and friends whose annual gifts are used to offer numerous privately funded scholarships each year. These scholarships are awarded based on academic performance, grade point average, college major, activities, talents, and many other criteria. Award amounts vary by scholarship program.

Award: Varies
Deadline: February 1
Application Form: Continuing Scholarship Application

NSU promotes numerous external scholarships provided by private companies, foundations, charitable organizations, community service groups, religious organizations, business associations, and civic groups. External scholarship opportunities are received almost daily by the NSU Scholarship Office, and each program has its own scholarship application and deadline. Students are encouraged to continually check the NSU Scholarship web page at www.nsuok.edu, check their campus email, or stop by the scholarship information display located in the lower level of the NSU Administration Building to keep abreast of these external scholarship opportunities.

Freshman Honors and Leadership Scholarships

* Academic Scholars must meet either the ACT score required OR the High School GPA AND class rank requirement. Out of state students are only eligible for Academic Scholars.
** Students with proven leadership skills and strong academic records are encouraged to apply.

Freshman Tuition Waivers 

* Students can only receive one of the above tuition waivers.
Scholarships are not automatic and are awarded based on availability of funds.
Out of state students are only eligible for Foundation Scholarships.
** In order to receive second year of scholarship, the student must complete 24 credit hours at NSU with a minimum GPA of 3.25.

Transfer Student Tuition Waivers

Continuing Student Tuition Waivers

* Scholarships are not automatic and are awarded based on availability of funds.
**Preference is given to students transferring from a two year institution.
Students can only receive one of the above tuition waivers. Out of state students are only eligible for Foundation Scholarships.