Paying for College

Paying for your college education is a foremost concern for both you and your family.  At Northern we are committed to providing you with a quality education at a reasonable cost.

What this means for you

• We offer one of the lowest combined tuition and room and board rates among the state institutions in Michigan.
• 80 percent of Northern students receive financial assistance.
• We awarded over $62 million from all sources of financial aid last year.
• Our average financial aid package is more than $7,200 per student.

The basic principle of need-based financial aid is that you and your family are expected to contribute as much as is reasonably possible to pay for your education. And, to make it easier for you and your family to manage your cash flow, a variety of payment plans are available. The "expected family contribution" is determined by the information you provide on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Your financial need is calculated by subtracting the expected family contribution from the total cost of your education. We are prepared to assist you in meeting your "financial need" by awarding grants, scholarships, employment or low-interest loans.

To receive consideration, you and your parents will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. If you are planning to begin in the fall semester, it is important to complete the FAFSA form by March 1 to receive maximum consideration. Regardless of what semester you plan to begin, please see the financial aid application procedures for specific information about applying for aid.

Be sure to authorize release of your FAFSA to NMU by providing our Title IV Code: 002301.

For more information, visit the NMU financial aid website.