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Success checklist
Be prepared
Get ready for university life so you can make the most of your academic career! If you are a current student, this checklist will help you organize and plan everything through to graduation.
Current students
Now that you’re enrolled, these tips will help you stay on track.
- Check NAU email in-box for messages from the Office of Scholarship & Financial Aid (OSFA)
- Complete the FAFSA – a free application for federal student aid
- Check on your Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) status with the OSFA
- For Native American students, check with tribal scholarship office regarding:
- Application and documents have been received by deadline date
- Current and/or future class schedule includes 12 units of new courses (full-time) or 6-11 units (part-time) and repeat class(es) will be in addition to the new units
- Semester GPA must be at or above 2.0 (in more cases and varies per tribal office)
- Submit an official NAU transcript to tribal scholarship office by their deadline date (varies)
- Monitor your account balance and the goal is to have a zero balance.
- Remember that financial aid refunds are for educational expenses each term. Budgeting these funds for necessary purchases rather than non-essential items (wants) is important.
- Continuing students who are Arizona tribal members and live out-of-state may qualify for in-state tuition.
- Compare prices for textbooks purchases or rental using online textbook retailers, Northern Arizona University Bookstore, etc.
- Plan how to get to classes by looking at the campus map. You can walk, bike, drive, or take the free university shuttle and Mountain Line bus.
- Students with a vehicle should purchase a parking permit from University Transit Services. Check on NAU Shuttle Route updates at this site.
- Read the class syllabus for each course and write due dates for assignments, quizzes, and exams in a planner or on a wall calendar.
- Make time to study—plan to devote at least two hours of studying per credit hour.
- If you are having difficulty with classes, seek assistance from your instructor/professor, your college advising office, the Academic Success Centers (tutoring, SI), the Gateway Student Success Center, and/or Office of Indigenous Student Success.
- Take advantage of free counseling from an Indigenous counselor with the NAU Counseling Services. Check with ISS and CNAIF for the counselor’s contact information.
- Confirm housing plans for each new academic year and/or summer with the Housing & Residence Life office and check with their office on who is eligible to reside in a residence hall.
- If residing off-campus, refer to the free Off-Campus Housing Guide.
- If you are seeking part-time employment, utilize the Handshake feature to find jobs, etc.
- Update or create a resume and letter of interest, and gather letters of recommendation.
- Be part of or attend social and cultural activities at the Center for Native American and Indigenous Futures (CNAIF).
- Meet with an OISS Indige-Peer Mentor for coaching support.
- Follow the ISS and CNAIF social media pages to learn about upcoming events, job/scholarship announcements, etc.