Financial Aid Application Process

Getting Started

Students interested in federal and/or state financial assistance should review the steps below to ensure they are awarded in a timely manner for the academic year in which they are applying.

Step 1: Apply for a Department of Education PIN

Students and parents of dependent students should request a Federal Personal Identification Number (PIN). Your PIN may be used as your electronic signature and identifier to apply for financial aid and to allow you access to personal information in various U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) systems.

Step 2: Complete the FAFSA

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online annually (between January 1 and June 30 of the following calendar year). The earlier you apply, the better chance you have of receiving maximum financial aid funds.

Important: The priority deadline for NSU is April 15! The NSU Federal School Code is 001509.

IRS Data Retrieval System

FAFSA on the Web allows applicants to access their IRS tax information and have it automatically imported to the FAFSA. The FAFSA includes a brief series of questions to determine whether an individual is eligible for IRS data retrieval. (Examples of someone who is ineligible would include someone who has not yet filed his or her tax return, someone who has amended his or her tax return, someone who filed separately from his or her spouse, and someone who filed a foreign tax return). The IRS Data Retrieval Tool is expected to be available in early February.

The Office of Student Financial Assistance advises all NSU students to file their tax returns in January of each year so that they may be eligible for IRS data retrieval.

Step 3: Plan for Housing and Meal Plan (if applicable)

Your financial aid budget includes a housing component. Students are responsible for ensuring that their budget covers their housing and meal plan expenses. For information regarding on-campus and off-campus housing visit Residential Life & Housing.

Step 4: Complete the NSU State Aid Application

You only need to complete the NSU State Aid Application if you qualify as a Florida resident and are an undergraduate student seeking your first bachelor’s degree or or if you are a Florida Academic or Florida Medallion Scholar who has earned his or her bachelor degree in the 2010-2011 academic year or later and has received the scholarship for seven or fewer semesters, or for fewer than 106 credits. Exception: Students who have received FRAG, FSAG and/or Florida Bright Futures Scholarship funding in the prior year (i.e., received aid in 2012-2013 academic year at NSU and are applying for 2013-2014), and did not have a break in enrollment for more than 12 months do not have to complete the NSU State Aid Application.

Check the Financial Aid Calendar for priority deadlines for the academic year in which you are applying. Out-of-state students do not need to complete the NSU State Aid Application.

Step 5: Review your Student Aid Report (SAR)

If you provided a valid email address at the time you completed the FAFSA and your application has been processed successfully, you will receive an email notification with instructions on how to retrieve your Student Aid Report. You must have your PIN to retrieve your SAR.

The Student Aid Report summarizes the information you included on your FAFSA. The SAR contains your official Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is used in determining your federal student aid eligibility. It also shows if the information you have provided on your FAFSA is in conflict with any information held at the federal government (e.g., mismatch of social security number and name; discrepancies in citizenship information).

A copy of the SAR will be sent to all schools you indicated on the FAFSA. If necessary, make changes or corrections through Corrections on the Web at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Your corrected SAR will be sent to the institutions you indicate.

Step 6: Submit Additional Documentation (if required)

Some students may be required to submit additional documents to complete the financial aid process prior to being awarded. You should check your financial aid status via SharkLink regularly to view any outstanding requirements.

Access your financial aid file by following the steps below:

Step 7: Register for Classes

Students must be fully admitted and registered for a minimum number of credits (enrollment requirements vary depending on academic and financial aid program) in order for your financial aid funds to disburse.