NMU Tuition Advantage - How To Attend NMU Tuition Free

If you qualify for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and a Federal Pell Grant, NMU is committed to providing the remainder of your tuition. 

The NMU Tuition Advantage is a last dollar scholarship that provides funding for tuition after Federal, state and institutional funding is used. This includes a Federal Pell Grant, the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, NMU scholarships/grants and any tuition-specific internal or external funds. Please note: NMU's Global Campus students are not eligible for the Tuition Advantage Program. 

 

Learn More about the Michigan Achievement Scholarship

Learn More about Federal Pell Grant

How do I know if I qualify?

Frequently Asked Questions

Students who qualify for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and a Federal Pell Grant, as determined by the FAFSA, will qualify for the NMU Tuition Advantage.   This means you will attend NMU tuition-free, which for many students is the largest portion of university costs.

How is the NMU Tuition Advantage calculated?

  • Start with the cost of NMU's tuition and select mandatory fees.
  • From that total, we will subtract aid you are receiving such as Federal Pell Grant, Michigan Achievement Scholarship, NMU scholarships/grants and any tuition-specific internal or external funds.
  • The remaining balance is covered by the NMU Tuition Advantage.

Example:

NMU Tuition and Select Mandatory Fees,
   minus Pell Grant (Federal)
   minus Michigan Achievement Scholarship (State)
   minus NMU aid you qualify for (NMU scholarships and grants)*
   minus Tuition-specific awards (internal or external)*
   Equals NMU Tuition Advantage.   That means a zero NMU Tuition Balance for you!

*You will receive the NMU Tuition Advantage and the remaining tuition and select mandatory fees balance is covered by the NMU Tuition Advantage - as long as you receive the Federal Pell Grant and Michigan Achievement Scholarship - even if you don't qualify for the other funding sources listed in the example.

Included in the Tuition Advantage program are these select mandatory fees; NMU's University Fee, Student Activity Fee,  Differential Tuition and Program Specific fees. 

See details on tuition and fees here. 

Additional expenses not covered by NMU's Tuition Advantage could include: 

  • Fees for NMU's recreation pass, green fund, one-time athletic fee and the distance education fee for web courses. 
  • On-campus housing and meal expenses (For students required to live on-campus - see details here). 
  • Orientation registration fee ($126) 
  • Housing application fee ($50) and advanced payment ($200) 
  • Books and supplies (varies)

Expenses vary based on a student's situation. 

Find more information about additional expenses here. 

 

Funding sources and assistance in paying non-tuition expenses include: 

Non-tuition specific scholarships and grants from Federal, state, or other external sources
College Savings Plans
Federal Work-Study
Payment Plans
Federal Student Loans
Federal Parent (PLUS) Loans
Private Student Loans

Learn more about these options at nmu.edu/financialaid and click on Sources of Aid. 

 

Once you have applied and are admitted to NMU, and have submitted your FAFSA with NMU's school code 002301, there is no additional application for the NMU Tuition Advantage Program. NMU's Financial Aid Office will review all incoming students for eligibility to the program.

Yes, you will need to be enrolled full time (at least 12 credits per semester).   

The Tuition Advantage is available for fall and winter semester enrollment.  The Tuition Advantage is not available for summer enrollment.

If you qualify for the NMU Tuition Advantage, it will be applied to the remainder of NMU's tuition (upper and lower division rates) and select mandatory fees, after the other sources of aid are used.

Visit michigan.gov/mistudentaid/programs/michigan-achievement-scholarship to learn more about the qualifications and application process. 

Make sure to submit your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at fafsa.gov. NMU's school code is 002301. 

Federal Pell Grants are awarded to undergraduate students who display financial need and have not earned a bachelor's, graduate, or professional degree. Submit your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at fafsa.gov to see if you qualify for a Federal Pell Grant.  NMU's school code is 002301. 

Visit https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/pell to learn more.

 

NMU Global Campus students are not eligible for the NMU Tuition Advantage.

However, Global Campus students may be eligible for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and other aid. 

You will need to qualify for both programs each year by submitting your FAFSA which will determine if you still meet the criteria. 

The NMU Tuition Advantage program is renewable for 8 semesters or until you reach your first bachelor's degree, which ever comes first, as long as you continue to qualify for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and a Federal Pell Grant and meet SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress) at NMU .

Reach out to NMU's Financial Aid Office for more information. 

906-227-2327
fao@nmu.edu