Important dates and deadlines
- Generally opens in the fall every year.
- Students are encouraged to submit their FAFSA as soon as possible to increase their chances of getting the maximum aid available.
- NAU’s preferred FAFSA filing dates:
- Students attending fall semester only: April 15
- Students attending fall and spring semesters: April 15
- Students attending spring semester only: October 15
- Generally opens mid-January every year with scholarship opportunities for the upcoming academic year.
- Some NAU colleges or departments may have different application windows.
Disbursement
Financial aid disbursements occur Monday through Saturday, beginning 10 days before the first day of each semester or summer session.
Learn more about disbursement, including what disbursement means as well as processing timelines.
Loan deadlines
| Term | Loan type | Last date to award |
| Fall 2024 | Fall-only | December 6, 2024 |
| Aid Year 2025 | Spring-only and 24-25 AY | May 2, 2025 |
| Summer 2025 | Summer-only | July 28, 2025 |
Accepting loans
| Term | Loan type | Accept loans before |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | Fall Only | December 6,2024 |
| Spring 2025 | Spring Only | May 2, 2025 |
| AY 2025 | Fall 2024/Spring 2025 | May 2, 2025 |
Federal PLUS loan application deadlines
| Term | Term dates | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 only | August–December 2024 | Dec. 6, 2024 |
| 2024–25 fall/spring academic year | August 2024–May 2025 | May 2, 2025 |
| Spring 2025 only | January–May 2025 | May 2, 2025 |
| Summer 2025 | May–August 2025 | July 29, 2025 |
Freshman tuition scholarship deadlines
A student’s offer of admission must be accepted and the enrollment fee paid in order to receive this award. Final high school transcripts must be submitted to Admissions and Enrollment Services immediately following high school graduation.
View more information on first-year scholarships.
National Scholar Awards
The offer of admission to the university must be accepted and the enrollment deposit must be paid for the following academic year. The award must be used beginning in the fall of the year following designation as a National Merit Semifinalist, National Merit Finalist, National Merit Scholar (NMSC or Corporate award), National Hispanic Scholar, or College Board-National Recognition Program.
View more information on National Scholar Awards.
Transfer scholarships
Most NAU transfer scholarships have the following deadlines:
Submissions:
- Submit the FAFSA by April 1 preceding the fall term of enrollment.
- Submit the FAFSA by Dec. 1 preceding the spring term of enrollment.
Acceptance and enrollment deposits:
- Accept your offer of admission and pay your enrollment deposit by June 1 for the fall semester.
- Accept your offer of admission and pay your enrollment deposit by Dec. 1 for the spring semester.
TEACH Grant application
The TEACH Grant Application must be completed each year by the following deadlines:
- Fall: Oct. 1
- Spring: March 1
Tribal scholarships
Indigenous Lumberjacks might qualify for scholarships or other aid directly from their Tribe or Tribal organization. Explore each tribe’s deadlines and additional funding information.
Study abroad
Submit your official transcript from your college abroad within the required timeframe to avoid losing your financial aid:
| Semester spent abroad | Semester to submit your transcripts by |
|---|---|
| Fall | Spring |
| Spring | Summer |
| Entire academic year | Summer |
| Summer | Fall |
Arizona Academic Decathlon Scholarship
Priority is given to students who submit their application to scholarships@nau.edu by Aug. 1 for fall and Dec. 1 for spring.
Visit Arizona Academic Decathlon Scholarship to learn more.
Financial aid processing timelines
| Process | Business days |
| Verification | 35 business days |
| SAP appeals | 25 business days |
| Budget appeals | 25 business days |
| Contribution appeals | 25 business days |
| Scholarship reinstatement | 25 business days |
| Email inquires and cases | 10 business days |
| Documents submitted (to be removed from To Do List) | 10 business days |
| CEP consortium agreements | 15 business days |
| Withdrawal processing | 30 calendar days |
Satisfactory Academic Progress appeals
SAP appeal deadlines:
- Fall: Nov. 1
- Spring: April 1
- Summer: July 1
Scholarship Reinstatement request deadlines
- Fall: Nov. 1
- Spring: April 1
Contribution appeals
The deadline to submit an appeal for the 2023–24 academic year is April 10, 2024.
Budget Appeals
The Full Academic Year Budget Appeal and/or Spring 2024 Budget Appeal deadline is April 1, 2024.
Consortium agreements
To ensure the consortium agreement is processed before financial aid disbursement, submit the completed consortium agreement by the following priority deadlines:
- Fall: Aug. 1
- Spring: Dec. 1
- Summer: April 1
The final deadline to submit a consortium agreement is 7 days prior to the 100% tuition refund date.
Specific dates for each term can be found on Student and Departmental Account Services.