Instructional Leadership, emphasis: K-12 School Leadership (MEd)
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Summer financial aid and deferment of winter charges

Processes and information for NAU students

Students are offered financial aid for the primary terms: fall and spring. However, there are situations in which a student might be eligible for the summer term as well or eligible to make payment arrangements for their winter intersession costs.

Below is information on how some common types of aid might apply toward your summer classes. But the best and easiest way to determine whether your aid will apply (and how much) is to get in touch with us at financial.aid@nau.edu or call 928-523-4951. We’ll walk you through the entire process.

Summer financial aid at NAU

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NAU tuition scholarships apply only to fall and spring terms, but there are situations in which a student might be able to apply the Federal Pell Grant and/or federal student loans to summer courses.

If you filed a FAFSA for a particular school year, your FAFSA also applies to the summer following that school year. For example, if you completed the FAFSA for the 2026–27 school year, that same FAFSA applies to your summer 202 studies. You would not need to submit a separate FAFSA for that summer.

For financial aid purposes, the enrollment status requirements for summer sessions are the same as the fall and spring requirements. The Academic Policy for course load for summer sessions does not pertain to financial aid. Read the undergraduate and graduate policies to learn more.

Summer term

Additional notes on summer financial aid at NAU

  • If you have private loans or private scholarships, be sure to check with the issuing organization or company to see whether your aid applies to summer classes.
  • During the summer, students must enroll at least half-time (6 credits for undergraduate students and 5 for graduate students) to continue using their student loans. Annual loan limits apply.
  • Summer students must continue to meet eligibility criteria to keep their aid during summer.
  • Students receiving the Federal Pell Grant may be eligible to continue receiving it during the summer.

Winter at NAU

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Because the winter intersession is not a standard academic term, there are no separate financial aid awards just for winter.

If you have enough spring financial aid to cover both your winter and spring charges, you may qualify to defer your winter tuition and fees until your spring financial aid disburses.

To apply for deferment of your winter tuition and fees:

  1. Access your LOUIE account.
  2. Go to the Financial Aid section.
  3. Click on Award Summary and fill out the App to Defer Winter Charges.

The winter 2026 application is expected to open on October 19, 2026 and will close the evening of November 19, 2026. 

Eligibility criteria

  • Submit the App to Defer Winter Charges.
  • Be enrolled in the winter intersession.
  • Be enrolled full-time for spring.
    • If enrolled less than full-time for spring, your spring federal student loans will be reduced prior to disbursement in January, in accordance with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s Schedule of Reductions.
  • Have enough spring aid to cover both spring and winter charges.
  • Complete the Title IV Authorization to do list item (if you haven’t already).
  • Graduation term is not end of this fall or winter.

Students can also apply for a private student loan to help cover their winter costs. If you plan to do this, please email financial.aid@nau.edu with “Winter Private Loan” in the subject line so we  can help walk you through the process.