Fees, Expenses, and 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.

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.

Special Fees

Other Charges

Fitness Center Charges

Students may use the Tahlequah Fitness Center free of charge.  Members of the NSU community may purchase a membership to the Center. Individual or family memberships are available for 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 (fees as announced)

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 refund 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 for graduate students is designed to recognize excellence in academics and leadership, and also assists those who otherwise would be unable to attend the University. NSU participates in all traditional types of financial assistance available through the state and the federal government. Graduate students at NSU receive funds from a variety of sources to pay for their education, including scholarships, graduate assistantships, tuition waivers, part-time jobs and educational loans. This money comes from federal and state agencies, as well as private donors. Assistance from the federal student aid programs is based on the belief that students should make every effort possible to invest in their education. We are committed to working with students to make a graduate degree from NSU affordable. However, please be aware that graduate students are not eligible for subsidized student loans, or grant assistance from the Federal Title IV programs.

Undergraduate pre-requisite or leveling courses required for program admission are not included in the financial aid eligibility distribution.

Financial Aid Application Process

1. Apply for admission to NSU as a graduate student. Graduate students must enroll in graduate courses to receive financial aid.
2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid as soon as possible after January 1st, each year. FAFSA forms can also be filed via the internet at www.fafsa.gov.
3. Respond promptly to any requests from Student Financial Services for additional information.  Students will receive requests via their NSU email account.  
4. Financial Aid applicants will be notified of their financial aid eligibility via their NSU email account, it is important that this account is checked regularly.

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 Teach Grant, Federal SEOG, Federal Work Study, Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan, Federal Unsubsidized Stafford 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 either or both 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 probation or suspension.

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 toward their first Bachelor’s degree log on 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 Evaluation

• 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. shown 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 previously received. 

A student with extenuating circumstances may appeal his/her financial aid suspension by submitting a written appeal to the Office of Student Financial Services. Appeal forms may be obtained in the Student Financial Services office or in the form section on the NSU financial aid website. 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 committee, and be approved or denied. The results of the appeal will be emailed/mailed and posted to the student’s goNSU account within approximately ten working days.

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, which will be monitored at the conclusion of each term.

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.

Academic transcripts for all transfer students will be reviewed by the NSU Office of Admissions and course work from all previously attended colleges will be posted to their NSU transcript. Transfer students with no grade history at NSU will be placed on financial aid probation their first semester of attendance if the transcript shows that the minimum requirements have not been met. Transfer students admitted on financial aid probation are eligible to receive financial assistance their first semester of attendance. Continuation of financial aid eligibility beyond the first semester of attendance will be approved only if the minimum requirements are met.

1. For financial aid purposes, all grades of A, B, C, D, F, P, S, W, AW, WP, WF, I, N, NP, X and U are hours attempted.
2. Only grades of A, B, C, D, S, and P are counted as hours successfully completed.
3. Audit classes are not eligible for financial aid and are not counted as hours attempted.
4. All classes attempted at all institutions are used in satisfactory academic progress calculations.
5. Passing grades received in zero level remedial classes count as hours attempted for financial aid purposes.  

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 who does not begin attendance in all courses for which they are enrolled in may be subject to the Return of Title IV funds. 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 of Title IV funds.

This policy applies to graduate students receiving assistance through the Perkins Loan, and the Unsubsidized Stafford Loan 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 to the following formula: number of days enrolled divided by the 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% date of all modules for which they are enrolled during a semester are considered to have earned 100% of the financial aid received. Students who remain enrolled for less than 60% of  any module for which they are enrolled during a semester may be responsible for repaying a portion of the financial aid received.

Student Financial Services will calculate the amount of any refund due according to 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, and Perkins Loan.

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.   

Tribal Assistance

Native American students must apply through the appropriate tribal agency to receive their tribal grants.  

Employment

These programs provide part-time employment for graduate students. A listing of available student employment positions is posted in the NSU Office of Student Financial Services prior to the beginning of each semester. Job postings are also available on the NSU website at www.nsuok.edu.  

Federal Work-Study Program

This is on-campus employment for needy students. These employees can work up to 20 hours per week and are paid at least minimum wage. Limited funding available.

Institutional Employment

This is on-campus employment. These employees can work up to 20 hours per week and are paid at least minimum wage. Financial aid eligibility is not required.  

Job Location and Development

The Office of Student Financial Services (SFS) provides assistance in locating off campus, part-time employment. Financial aid eligibility is not required.  

Teach Grant

Through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, Congress created the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program that provides grants of up to $3,964 per year to students who intend to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families. The graduate Teach eligible majors are M.Ed. in Reading, M.Ed. in Science, and the M.Ed. in Mathematics. Qualifications for this grant can be found on NSU’s Financial Aid website under the grant section.

Student Loans

Students are encouraged to pursue all opportunities for scholarships, and employment before borrowing.  Loans should be considered a last resort for funding a student’s educational expenses.  First time student loan borrowers are required to participate in an online student loan counseling session and complete a master promissory note at www.studentloans.gov .  

Federal Perkins Loan

These funds are disbursed to needy full-time NSU students. Repayment and interest begins nine months after the student graduates or leaves NSU. A separate Perkins Loan Promissory Note is required. Limited funds available.

DIRECT Unsubsidized Stafford Loan

This is money borrowed through the US Department of Education at a fixed interest rate of 6.21%. The student is responsible for the interest on this loan. Repayment begins six months after the student graduates or ceases to be enrolled at least half time.

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.

Scholarships

The NSU Scholarship Office, located in the lower level of the Administration Bldg., assists students to obtain information on how to finance their education with scholarship funds. Scholarship information is continuously updated on the NSU website at www.nsuok.edu.  

Regents Tuition Waivers

This scholarship is available to both undergraduate and graduate students at NSU based on academic performance, and/or financial need. Scholarship recipients are selected by committees from within the various academic departments at NSU. Graduate students are required to have a 3.0 cumulative GPA for consideration. The Regents Tuition Waiver is a one year scholarship, but students are encouraged to reapply for the waiver each academic year. The date for priority consideration for a Regents Tuition Waiver is February 1.

Foundation Scholarships

Through the generous donations of private supporters, NSU is able to offer numerous Foundation Scholarships each year. These scholarships are based on academic performance, GPA, college major, activities, and other criteria. Award amounts vary by scholarship program.

Miscellaneous Scholarships

NSU promotes numerous external scholarships from private sources in all academic areas. Students are encouraged to continually check the NSU Scholarship web page at www.nsuok.edu, or stop by the scholarship information display located in the Scholarship Office in the lower level of the Administration Building.

The purpose of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Fee Reduction Certificate is to ensure that fees for this test are not a barrier to graduate study for low-income students. There are four requirements a student must meet to receive this waiver. The student must be:

1. A United States Citizen or resident alien.
2. A dependent senior whose FAFSA report indicates an EFC of no more than $1400.
3. A self-supporting senior whose FAFSA report indicates an EFC of no more than $1800.
4. A self-supporting un-enrolled college graduate whose FAFSA report indicates an EFC of no more than $1800.

GRE Fee Waiver Certificates waive the test fees for one General Test and one Subject Test only. The certificates are available through the NSU Office of Student Financial Services.  

Graduate and/or instructional assistantships are available for the academic year in several areas. Full-time graduate/instructional assistants teach six hours per semester, or serve a maximum of twenty clock hours per week in a laboratory or other teaching facility. Full-time graduate/instructional assistants also carry an academic load of six to nine hours of graduate credit. For non-teaching assistants ten hours of work per week is equivalent to teaching three semester hours.

Candidates for assistantships must hold a baccalaureate degree, must be fully admitted as a regular student to Graduate College, and must qualify for regular admission to a graduate degree program. Other selection criteria may be added based on the requirements of the particular assignment. Applications for assistantships are available in the Graduate College office or on the website www.nsuok.edu. The completed application must be submitted to the Graduate College for the Dean’s approval prior to employment.   

The fee voucher program is an effort by Northeastern State University to contribute to the improvement of instruction in the schools of this area in return for the services they render to the University.

The program provides that each school system which participates in the Mentoring Internship Program of Northeastern State University is granted fee waiver credit at the rate of one (1) semester hour of regular graduate credit per intern per designated mentor teacher.

All fee waiver certificates will be coordinated and prepared by the Department of Educational Foundations and Leadership and forwarded to the Office of Business Affairs. The Office of Business Affairs will send the certificates by certified mail to each respective school system where interns are placed.

The chief administrative officer of each school shall designate a staff member to receive the fee waiver certificate, providing that such staff member has been admitted to graduate study and is pursuing graduate credit at Northeastern State University. All certificates must have the official seal of the University, the signature of the public school official and two officials of Northeastern State University.

Fee Waiver certificates are valid for two years from the date issued. Fee waiver certificates that are lost, stolen or destroyed cannot be replaced. a fee waiver covers one hour of tuition only. Any enrollment fees must be paid by the student.