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Federal Aid Programs | Institutional Programs | State of Missouri Programs
What is financial aid?
Financial aid is money available from federal, state, University and private sources to help students meet college costs. Financial aid will help pay for direct educational costs such as tuition, books and fees, as well as for personal living expenses such as housing, food and transportation. Financial aid is designed to assist students with paying for the cost of attending college.
Who is eligible?
Almost anyone who needs financial assistance to attend Northwest may receive financial aid. However, pursuant to federal regulations, students must meet the following requirements in order to be eligible for the Federal Cost & Financial Aid we offer:
| Program Description | Who is Eligible? | Amount of Award | How to Apply |
| Pell Grant | |||
|
Eligibility determined by federal government. Award is based entirely on need. All eligible students receive this grant. |
All undergraduates with high financial need and academic good standing. |
Between $890 and $4,731 per year depending on need. Amounts are pro-rated for less than full-time enrollment. |
Complete and submit the FAFSA. |
| Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant | |||
|
Based on need. Funds are limited. |
All undergraduates with high financial need and academic good standing. |
Varies |
Complete and submit the FAFSA. |
| Academic Competitiveness Grant | |||
|
Based on financial need-supplemental to Pell. Available to first and second years of college. |
U.S. citizen; Federal Pell Grant eligible. Enrolled full-time in a degree program during the first or second academic year of his/her program of study. Have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study. See Web site for complete description. |
Up to $750 for first year student. Up to $1,300 for second year student. |
Complete and submit the FAFSA. Submit proof of completion of valid "rigorous" secondary coursework to Admissions with high school transcript. |
| National Smart Grant | |||
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Based on need-supplemental to Pell. For third-and fourth-year students in high demand areas. |
U.S. citizen; Federal Pell Grant eligible. enrolled full-time in a degree program. pursuing a major in mathematics, science (including physical, life, and computer sciences), technology, engineering or critical foreign language. ave at least a 3.00 GPA. See Web site for complete list of eligible fields of study. |
Up to $4,000 |
Complete and submit the FAFSA. |
| Teach Grant | |||
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For Students who plan to complete or are completing coursework necessary to begin a career in teaching in specified high need fields. Must be repaid as Direct Unsubsidized loan if student does not teach at least 4 years within 8 years of completing program as a teacher in a Title I School, in a specified subject area. (science, math, foreign language, bilingual education, special education or other high need area) |
Regular Student who is a Citizen or eligible Non-citizen, not in Default, and has made satisfactory progress. See Web site for list of High-need fields. |
Up to $4,000 per year for first undergraduate - $16,000 aggregate Up to $4,000 per year for graduate students - $8,000 aggregate Prorated amounts for less than full-time enrollment. Requires Agreement to serve/Promise to Pay to include promissory note. Award combined with other assistance cannot exceed cost of attendance. |
Complete and submit the FAFSA. GPA at least 3.25 for each payment period (from high school if 1st year student or from college for other students). OR above 75th percentile on Admission test (ACT, SAT or GRE) |
| Perkins Loan | |||
|
Awarded and administered by Northwest. No interest or repayment until nine months after student drops below half-time enrollment. Five percent interest during repayment. Based on need. Funds are limited. |
All undergraduates with high financial need and academic good standing. |
Between $300 and $2,000 per year depending on need. Total borrowed as an undergraduate may not exceed $20,000. |
Complete and submit the FAFSA. |
| William D. Ford Direct Subsidized Loan * | |||
|
No interest or repayment until six months after student drops below half-time enrollment. Interest rate on loans disbursed in 2010-11 will be at 4.5% Based on need |
All students with need and academic good standing. Must be enrolled at least half-time. |
Annual maximum: $3,500 for first year $4,500 for sophomore $5,500 for juniors and seniors Cumulative loan for undergraduates may not exceed $23,000. |
Complete and submit the FAFSA. Separate Master Promissory note and entrance counseling are required. Complete Online! |
| William D. Ford Direct Unsubsidized Loan * | |||
|
Same as Direct Subsidized Loan except interest must be paid or capitalized during enrollment period. Interest rate is set at 6.8% annually |
All students. Non-need based. Must be enrolled at least half-time and have academic good standing. |
Annual limits not to exceed $2,000 above subsidized loan grade level limit. Aggregate limit for combination or all subsidized and unsubsidized loans not to exceed $31,000. |
Complete and submit the FAFSA. Separate Master Promissory note and entrance counseling are required. Complete Online! |
| William D. Ford Direct Parent PLUS Loan ** | |||
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For parent of dependent students to borrow on the student's behalf. Repayment may be deferred until 6 months after date student drops below halftime enrollment. Interest rate fixed at 7.9% annually. Accruing interest to be paid monthly or quarterly or capitalized quarterly.Need is not a factor. |
All undergraduates. Must be enrolled at least half-time and have academic good standing. |
Parent's annual maximum eligibility is equal to the cost of attendance minus other financial aid received. |
Complete and submit FAFSA. Separate Master Promissory note and entrance counseling are required. Registered PIN is required and can be obtained online. |
| Federal Work Study (FWS) | |||
|
Part-time employment on campus. Maximum 20 work hours per week. Based on need. Funds are limited. |
All undergraduates with financial need. Must be enrolled at least half-time and have academic good standing. |
Minimum wage. Paid monthly in a check directly to the student for hours worked. |
Complete and submit the FAFSA. |
* Interest rate on Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans disbursed prior to July 1, 2006 is a variable rate not to exceed 8.25 percent.
** Interest rate on Parent PLUS loans disbursed prior to July 1, 2006 is a variable rate not to exceed 9 percent.
| Program Description | Who is Eligible? | Amount of Award | How to Apply |
| American Dream Grant | |||
|
Based on need. |
First-time freshman. Complete FAFSA and all verification documents by April 1 priority date Have an EFC of 2000 or less (dependent or independent students) |
Varies. Will fill gap between cost of tuition room, board, textbook and computer usage fees, (standard double occupancy and aladine meal plan) minus all federal, state, institutional funds and a $2,500 student contribution. Students must live on-campus to receive assistance with room and board. Awards subject to available funding. |
Complete and submit the FAFSA
Renewable for one year with the following stipulations: Reapplication of FAFSA (by April 1 for consideration of state grants used in determining full American Dream funding). Be Pell eligible. Completion of 24 Northwest credit hours with a 2.00 Northwest cumulative GPA. |
| Bearcat Grant | |||
|
Based on need and academic criteria. |
First-time freshman. Must be enrolled full-time. |
Varies. Funds are limited. |
Complete and submit the FAFSA. |
| Northwest Grant | |||
|
Based on need. |
First-time freshman. Must be enrolled full time. |
Varies. |
Complete and submit the FAFSA. |
| Regular Employment | |||
|
Part-time employment on campus. Maximum 20 work hours per week. Need is not a factor. |
All students. Must be enrolled at least half-time. |
Minimum wage. Paid monthly in a check directly to the student. |
Contact the Student Employment Office at 660.562.1140. |
| Tuition Exchange Program | |||
|
An association of 586 colleges and universities offering scholarships to members of faculty and staff families employed at participating institutions |
Determined by the home institution |
Varies- dependent upon policies of home institution |
Contact liaison officer at home institution 12 months prior to using TE program. Certification is sent to importing school. Northwest will notify award approvals/denials. Contact liaison each year for required re certification. |
Missouri resident and U.S. citizen, enrolled full-time at a Missouri post-secondary school.
| Program Description | Who is Eligible? | Amount of Award | How to Apply |
| Access Missouri Program | |||
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Provides grant assistance to full-time undergraduate students who are Missouri residents attending participating Missouri post-secondary institutions
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U.S. citizen. Missouri residents enrolled full-time. Expected Family Contribution (EFC) less than 12,000 as determined by FAFSA.
|
Anticipated award $1,000-$2,150. Renewal requires 2.50 cumulative GPA each term, reapplication of FAFSA by April 1 each year and meeting need eligibility requirements. |
Complete and submit the FAFSA by April 1. Contact Missouri Department of Higher Education or 800.473.6757 or Office of Scholarships and Financial Assistance. |
| Missouri Bright Flight | |||
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For Missouri graduating high school senior who enrolls full- time in Missouri post-secondary school.
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Composite score on ACT or SAT in top 3 percent of all Missouri students. ACT: 31 SAT: Verbal 780, Math 790
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$2,000 per academic year. May be renewed. Maximum award: 10 trimesters must complete 24 credit hours at cumulative 2.50 GPA. |
Contact Missouri Department of Higher Education or 800.473.6757 or Office of Scholarships and Financial Assistance with questions. |
| Marguerite Ross Barnett Memorial Scholarship | |||
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This scholarship was established for students who are employed while attending school part-time. Scholarships can be renewed annually until a student has obtained a baccalaureate degree or has completed 150 credit hours. |
Missouri resident 18 years or older, enrolled at least half-time but less than full-time. Be employed and compensated for at least 20 hours per week. Demonstrate financial need. |
Maximum annual scholarship is the least of actual tuition charged at the school where you are enrolled; your demonstrated financial need. |
Contact Missouri Department of Higher Education or Office of Scholarships and Financial Assistance for application or go online to print verification form. Deadline for submitting FAFSA and all required material is April 1. |
| Robert C. Byrd Scholarship | |||
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Scholarship for students who show outstanding academic achievement. |
Missouri residents enrolled at a four-year institution; must have scored in top 10 percent of ACT test and rank in top 10 percent of graduating class or GED rankings |
$1,500 a year for first four years. |
Must submit a completed application packet by April 15. Contact Office of Scholarships and Financial Assistance for application or go online for application. |
| Vietnam Veterans Survivor Grant | |||
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Grant available to children or spouse of Vietnam veteran whose death was attributed to or caused by exposure to toxic chemicals during the Vietnam conflict. |
Missouri resident and U.S. citizen, enrolled full-time at a Missouri postsecondary school. |
Lesser of actual tuition charged at school where enrolled full time OR average amount of tuition charged at the regional four-year public Missouri institution. |
Contact Missouri Department of Higher Education or Office of Scholarships and Financial Assistance for application or go online to print verification form. |