Online Professional

Refund Policy for Dropped Course

Stay Organized

Stay organized. Managing family life and a job on top of school can be a challenge for the average adult student. The key to success is staying organized so you ensure you prioritize different tasks effectively and switch between them more efficiently. 

Create a Schedule and Manage Your Time Wisely

Keep a semester and a weekly calendar. On the first day of class, read the course syllabus and enter all due dates in your calendar, along with reminders for the due dates. Commit to studying or participating in your online class for at least three hours per week for every one credit hour the course is worth. According to experienced online learners, one of the most helpful tips for online learning is to be deliberate with your time. Prioritize your work. What due dates are coming up first? What information is the most important for you to learn? What assignments are worth the most points? Make a smart decision about how to best spend your time.

Revisit Writing Fundamentals

Regardless of what degree you plan on pursuing, college requires proper writing fundamentals. Everything from writing your college application to essays, dissertations, labs, notes, resumes or even emails to your professors requires knowing best writing practices. So by revisiting basic grammar rules now, you can save yourself frustration the first few weeks of school. Don’t be overwhelmed; you’ll be surprised how quickly you can brush up on your writing skills!

Familiarize Yourself with Technology

Technology is your friend! While computers and digital resources may not have been as prevalent the last time you were in school, technology largely impacts the modern student. Being familiar with your computer and various learning apps can help adult learners with note-taking, brainstorming, researching, communication, studying and more. There are a wide variety of library resources available online today so make sure you know how to log-in to your Northwest’s network.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions

Ask questions when you need help with understanding content. Take advantage of the opportunities to interact with instructors and classmates to enhance your learning. Be comfortable with seeking help by asking questions in discussions in an online class. Be sure seek clarification or answers to questions you may have.

• Schedule an appointment with your advisor and review Degree Audit to prepare for enrollment.
• Log into CatPAWS using the following credentials: User ID is your 919# and your PIN will be your date of birth (MMDDYY or last 6 digits of your User ID) or PIN created after initial sign-on has been completed.
• Select Student Tab: Registration: Add/Drop Classes: Select Term: Click Submit.
• Enter your Enrollment PIN if prompted
• Fill in the boxes with the CRN(s) necessary for your next selected course.  (CRNs can be found at nwmissouri.edu/schedule and select appropriate term and department.)
  • Although the parameters are optional, your search will be more effective using the following parameters: Course Level = Undergraduate Level, Part of Term = Online Professional Block 1 or Online Professional Block 2, Attribute Type =Online Professional Only
• Click Submit Changes to view course schedule.

*Students stepping out for a semester (spring or fall) or more must reapply. For more information, read Re-Admission.

For information on the Supersede Policy, view Academic Policies.

• Log into CatPAWs using the following credentials: User ID is your 919# and your PIN will be your date of birth (MMDDYY or last 6 digits of your User ID) or PIN created after initial sign-on has been completed.
• Select Student Tab: Registration: Add/Drop Classes: Select Term: Click Submit.
• Fill in the boxes with the CRN(s) necessary for your next selected course.
• CRNs can be found at nwmissouri.edu/schedule and select appropriate term and department.
• Although the parameters are optional, your search will be more effective using the following parameters: Course Level = Graduate Level, Part of Term = Online Professional Block 1 or Online Professional Block 2, Attribute Type =Online Professional Only
• Click Submit Changes to view course schedule.

*Students stepping out for a semester (spring or fall) or more must submit a Returning Graduate Application. Choose application type "03.Graduate-Retuning/Former".

After successfully registering for classes, you can check the Bearcat Bookstore to determine which books you will be required to use. Remember to buy any materials you need as soon as possible to avoid inconveniences and delays. There are many vendors from which to choose.

Northwest Bookstore - Find Course Materials

• Undergraduate Students: Depending upon your entry point in the program, you may only have certain classes available to you as a first time student. Because of this, it is important to note that to receive Federal Financial Aid assistance you must be registered at least as a half-time student, enrolled in 6 hours each semester. (Please discuss any additional concerns with your advisor and/or the financial aid office.)
• Federal Student Aid, a part of the U.S. Department of Education, is the largest provider of student financial aid in the nation. Federal Student Aid is responsible for managing the student financial assistance programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. These programs provide our graduate students attending college or career school with the opportunity to use Federal student loan funds to help pay their educational costs.
• If you have not already done so, please visit https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa and submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This will allow us to determine how much student aid you are eligible for and will help you pay for any education- related expenses. (Note: To see if you qualify and to request further information, you can visit: https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/help as well as https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/
• Items required: Internet-enabled device, a copy of your and/or your parents' (if applicable) income tax return from the previous year, relevant W2 forms, a Social Security number, and Northwest Missouri State's Federal School Code (002496). For additional requirements, visit: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
• For greater assistance, please visit Northwest's Office of Scholarships and Financial Assistance. Here, you can find resources and more information on how you can apply for financial aid, academic requirements, loan processes, etc.
• If you have already applied for financial aid, please check your student email periodically for any updates that may be sent to you regarding the status of your aid.
• Important Notice: Be aware that registering for classes incurs a financial obligation. Payment is due for all online classes prior to the first day of class. Please plan accordingly, as disbursement of financial aid may follow your payment due date.

It is important to note that students who do not have authorized financial aid are required to pay tuition in full before classes start. To determine the payment due, please visit the Payment Center.

View tuition rates, important financial dates and refund policy »

Making Payments on CatPAWS

1. Login to the Payment Center
2. The username is your 919 #
   • PIN is your 6 digit birth date, unless you have already changed your password 
3. Select Make a Payment to process your transaction
   • Payment methods include electronic check, debit or credit with a 2.75% convenience fee.
   • We recommend you save your payment method for future use.