Fees, Expenses, Financial Aid

MasterCard, American Express, Discover and VISA are accepted for payment of fees. ALL FEES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.

The general enrollment fee is required for all students. It includes enrollment fees, student activity fee, technology fee, facility fee, cultural/scholastic fee, and infrastructure fee.

Fee for Each Semester Hour

Audit fee without credit is the same as scheduled above.

*See Office of Business Affairs for more details.

Fee 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.

Student activity fee, technology fee, facility fee, cultural/scholastic fee, and infrastructure fee will be charged in addition to the semester block charge based on the number of hours enrolled in.

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 fees are due by the first day of classes. Financial aid will be applied to accounts within the first two weeks of classes. If accounts are not paid in full by this time, a late fee will be applied.

A student who drops individual classes or withdraws completely from the university prior to the first day of classes for the semester will receive a 100% refund of tuition and fees.

A student who drops individual classes or totally withdraws during the first two weeks of the fall/spring semester or during the first week of the regular summer semester will receive a 100% refund of tuition and fees. The period of time to drop short-term classes will be pro-rated based on the length of the class.

Refund Policy for Financial Aid Recipients Who Withdraw

Any student receiving federal financial assistance who completely withdraws from all classes at NSU will be subject to the Return of Title IV Funds refund policy required by federal regulation.

This policy applies to students receiving assistance through the Pell Grant, Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant, Academic Competitiveness Grant, National Smart 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 students 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% 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.)

NSUs 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, private donors and lending institutions.

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.ed.gov.

3. Respond promptly to any correspondence requesting additional information. If you are a continuing student, all correspondence will be sent via your NSU email account.  Incoming freshman will receive correspondence via regular  mail service. 

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

Grants: money available for education that does not require repayment.

PELL - Federal Pell Grant. Based on financial need. Available only to undergraduates.

SEOG - Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant. Available only to undergraduates with exceptional financial need.

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 April 15 to be considered.

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

Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) - The Academic Competitiveness Grant is designed for first and second year students who completed a rigorous secondary school program of study.

National Science & Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART Grant) - The National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant, also known as the National SMART Grant is available during the third and fourth years of undergraduate study to full-time students who are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant and who are majoring in physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, or engineering or in a foreign language determined critical to national security. The student must also have maintained a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 in course work required for the major. The National SMART Grant award is in addition to the students Pell Grant award.

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 $4,000 per year to students who intend to teach in 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.

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.

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.

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

FEDERAL Subsidized Stafford LOAN - Money borrowed from a lending institution at a fixed interest rate. Repayment begins six months after graduation or six months after leaving school.

FEDERAL Unsubsidized Stafford LOAN - Money borrowed from a lending institution at fixed interest rates. Repayment begins six months after graduation or six months after leaving school; borrower is responsible for interest payments while in school.

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, Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG), Smart 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 two separate requirement 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 number of hours per year based on their award status (full time, three-quarter time, half-time).

These two requirements are summarized in the following charts. Failure to meet 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 suspension.

Grade Point Average Requirement

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

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 Bachelors degree request a Final Degree Check in the Office of Admissions and Records to unsure they have taken the courses necessary for their degree. 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

Probation

Following the spring semester, if students fail to meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements for the academic year, they will be placed on financial aid probation for the summer semester. The student will need to make up all deficiencies to avoid being placed on Financial Aid Suspension. Students remain eligible for financial aid during their probationary period.

Suspension

At the end of the probationary period (summer semester), students who fail to meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements for the academic year will be placed on financial aid suspension. While on suspension, students are not eligible for federal student aid.

 Below are the two options a student has to have their financial aid reinstated;

1. 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. The appeal and all supporting documentation will be reviewed within the Financial Aid Department. and be approved or denied. The results of the appeal will be mailed to the student within ten working days. If denied students do have the option to have their appeal seen by a second committee. The members of the second committee are not affiliated with the Financial Aid Department, the second committee is comprised of Professors, Students, and other University Staff, their decision is final.
2. Students may also have their financial aid reinstated by paying for and successfully completing one semester of attendance at the hourly rate for which they were previously awarded. For example, if a student was awarded at full time status (12 hours or more) and was placed on suspension, the student can pay for and successfully complete a 12 hour semester and have her or his aid reinstated.  

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 www.nsuok.edu, or by contacting the NSU Scholarship Office. Most NSU Scholarship Programs have a March 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: $8,844/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: $7,844/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: $5,610/year, 4 year award
Deadline: February 1
Application Form: Presidents Leadership Class 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: $3,000/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: $3,000/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 $2,600/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 $2,450/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 $1,800 /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 www.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 $2,200/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 $2,000/year, 1 year award
Deadline: March 1
Application Form: Transfer Student Application

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship

This scholarship is available to students who have earned an associate’s degree with a competitive grade point average. Applicants must provide proof of membership in PTK, submit a PTK Evaluation Form completed by their PTK sponsor and provide a completed PTK Leadership Activity Form. In addition, while enrolled at NSU recipients must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.25, be full time students and be involved in the alumni chapter of PTK. Award is applied toward tuition.

Award: $2,200
Duration: 2 years
Deadline: March 1

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 www.nsuok.edu, or by contacting the NSU Scholarship Office. Most NSU Scholarship Programs have a March 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: March 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: March 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. The mode ACT score for students invited into the PLC last year was 27.

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.