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Introduction

Financial Aid

Great careers belong to those who invest in themselves.

Most Northland Community & Technical College students are eligible to receive some type of financial aid. Get started by applying for financial aid.

Applying for Financial Aid

Apply for financial aid EARLY, and remember to REAPPLY for each school year in attendance. A school year is fall, spring, and summer semesters. To apply for financial aid, you must complete the FREE Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can submit the FAFSA beginning October 1, 2022, using 2021 tax information for the 2023-2024 academic year (Fall 2023; Spring 2024; Summer 2024).

To complete the FAFSA in Spanish, after clicking on the link for the Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) above, click “Espanol” in the upper right-hand corner of the website.

  • The first recommended step in completing the FAFSA is to create an FSA ID and password. For students required to supply parent(s) information, one parent will also need to create an FSA user id and password. It is VERY important that you save this information. You will need your FSA user id and password to sign and submit your FAFSA. You will also need it to complete the student loan process.
  • Northland’s School code is: 002385 (Northland will be listed with the Thief River Falls address – this is correct as East Grand Forks and Thief River Falls are one college)
  • Many students might need to provide additional information (for example, tax documents, transcripts, residency information, or documentation of high school graduation). If further information is required, Northland will send a letter outlining the information or documentation needed. It is important to respond promptly to any information requests, as all requested information must be received before financial aid awards can be processed.
  • An email notification will be sent when your financial aid offer is available. You will be able to view your financial aid offer online through your eServices account. Paper copies are not mailed.
  • Work Study and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) awards are based on early application and eligibility requirements.
  • MN State Grant deadline – The Federal processor must receive your FAFSA no later than 30 days after the start of the semester. If your FAFSA is received after the MN State Grant deadline, you will not be eligible for the MN grant for that semester.
  • Pell Grant enrollment deadline – You must be registered for all classes by the Pell Grant enrollment date. Classes added after the enrollment date are not eligible for Pell Grant.

Financial Aid Checklist

Northland provides a checklist to help facilitate the financial aid process to make it as easy as possible.

Financial Aid Disbursement

The Business Office oversees the distribution of a student’s financial aid refund.

Here is how it works:

When your financial aid is disbursed, the computer system determines your number of registered credits and adjusts accordingly any grant eligibility you may have. (Federal and State Grants will apply to your student account automatically. Loans require a separate application to be completed before funds will disburse.) Your financial aid (i.e., grants, scholarships, or loans) will transfer electronically to your student account. If there is more than enough financial aid to pay your tuition, fees, and any other charges owed to the college, a refund for the difference will be distributed to you by the Business Office in either the form of direct deposit or a check mailed to your address on file. We encourage you to have your financial aid refund directly deposited into your checking or saving account because it is the fastest and safest disbursement method. To sign up for direct deposit, you will do so in your eServices account. Students must sign up one week before funds are disbursed. Direct deposit setup instructions and information on disbursement dates can both be accessed at the links below.

Students may be required to return a portion of their financial aid (Title IV) due to not completing all their classes in a semester. Northland processes “Return to Title IV” calculations within 30 days of the date it is determined that the student withdrew or stopped attending. Northland returns funds back to the Title IV programs within 45 days of that date.

Here are some examples of when financial aid needs to be paid back.

  • A student’s financial aid award will be recalculated for any class in which the student never showed attendance. As a result, you may owe tuition and fees after financial aid funds are recalculated. Federal regulations require that a student must show attendance in each class for which financial aid was received.
  • A student who receives Federal financial aid (Title IV) and then withdraws from all classes, whether officially or unofficially (just stops attending without telling the Northland Records office) on or before the 60% date of each semester will be required to repay a portion of their financial aid.

Your FSA ID

The FSA ID is made up of a username and password required to access certain U.S. Department of Education online systems. It will be used to confirm your identity when accessing your financial aid information and electronically signing your free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) and other federal student aid documents. (For students required to supply parent(s) information, one parent will also need to apply for a FSA ID).

Statement of Ethical Principles

The primary goal of the financial aid professional is to help students achieve their educational goals through financial support and resources. NASFAA (National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators) members are required to exemplify the highest level of ethical behavior and demonstrate the highest level of professionalism. We, financial aid professionals, declare our commitment to the following Statement of Ethical Principles.

Financial Aid Administrators shall:

1. Advocate for students

a. Remain aware of issues affecting student and continually advocate for their interest at the institutional, state and federal levels.
b. Support federal, state and institutional efforts to encourage students, as early as the elementary grades, to aspire to and plan for education beyond high school.

2. Manifest the highest level of integrity

a. Commit to the highest level of ethical behavior and refrain from conflict of interest or the perception thereof.
b. Deal with others honestly and fairly, abiding by our commitments and always acting in a manner that merits the trust and confidence others have placed in us.
c. Protect the privacy of individual student financial records.
d. Promote the free expression of ideas and opinions and foster respect for diverse viewpoints within the profession.

3. Support student access and success

a. Commit to removing financial barriers for those who want to pursue postsecondary learning and support each student admitted to our institution.
b. Without charge, assist students in applying for financial aid funds.
c. Provide services and apply principles that do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, or economic status.
d. Understand the need for financial education and commit to educate students and families on how to responsibly manage expenses and debt.

4. Comply with federal and state laws

a. Adhere to all applicable laws and regulations governing federal, state and institutional financial aid programs.
b. Actively participate in ongoing professional development and continuing education programs to ensure ample understanding of statutes, regulation and best practices governing the financial aid programs.
c. Encourage colleagues to participate in the financial aid professional associations available to them at the state, regional or national level and offer assistance to other aid professionals as needed.

5. Strive for transparency and clarity

a. Provide our students and parents with the information they need to make good decisions about attending and paying for college.
b. Educate students and families through quality information that is consumer-tested when possible. This includes (but is not limited to) transparency and full disclosure on award notices.
c. Ensure equity by applying all need-analysis formulas consistently across the institution’s full population of student financial aid applicants.
d. Inform institutions, students and parents of any changes in financial aid programs that could affect their student aid eligibility.

6. Protect the privacy of financial aid applicants

a. Ensure that student and parent private information provided to the financial aid office by financial aid applicants is protected in accordance with all state and federal statutes and regulation, including FERPA and the Higher Education Act, Section 483(a)(3)(E) (20 U.S.C. 1090).
b. Protect the information on the FAFSA from inappropriate use by ensuring that this information is only used for the application, award and administration of aid awarded under Title IV of the Higher Education Act, state aid or aid awarded by eligible institutions.

FAQs

If you fail to complete 60% of your courses, your financial aid will be recalculated, and you may owe Northland Community & Technical College a balance that is payable immediately. Loan repayment may begin earlier.

You can apply anytime after October 1. If you are applying for the current school year, you need to have the FAFSA done before the last day of attendance for that school year. Example: If you are coming fall and spring, you need it done before last day of spring semester.

Yes, students should renew their FAFSA with every new academic year they plan to attend.

Go to https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa and log in with your FSA ID and password. At the bottom of the next page, click “Make FAFSA Corrections”. Go to the school tab and update the school code.

Information gathered from the FAFSA and how student’s answer a series of questions determines if they must provide parents information or not, even though they may not live with parents or are not claimed on their tax returns.

Please see the Federal Student Aid Site for more information on dependency status at https://studentaid.gov/help-center/answers/article/what-is-dependency-status for more information.

If required, students will receive a letter from the Northland financial aid office indicating additional documentation/forms needed to complete their file.

You may link your taxes to the FAFSA by using the IRS data retrieval tool.

Work study eligibility is determined the same way as all other financial aid and all data elements of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) are used. Not all students are eligible for work study. Inquiry may be made at the Financial Aid Office. If I don’t qualify for work study, where can I get information about jobs in the community? Job openings are listed weekly in the local newspapers or on the Northland job posting website.

Students will receive a financial aid award letter through their school e-mail indicating loan amounts they are eligible to receive. After receiving your award letter, please go to eServices and click on “My Financial Aid Status”.

Sign-In:
StarID = StarID
Password = StarID Password

Applying for loans is a three step process which consists of:

  1. completing entrance counseling
  2. completing the master promissory note (MPN)
  3. accepting the desired loan amount

When accepting loan amounts please remember this for the school year NOT a term at a time. If you will be graduating and only attending one term, you must notify your campus financial aid office. Click on Financial Aid on the left side, click on “loans”; follow the steps to accept the loan amount. If Entrance Counseling (EC) & Master Promissory Note (MPN) are not completed follow the steps needed to complete. Failure to complete these will make the student unable to receive loans. The loans can now be processed/certified. DO NOT COMPLETE THIS PROCESS PRIOR TO RECEIVING YOUR FINANCIAL OFFER.

Any outside source of funds are considered when determining loan eligibility.

Subsidized: Federal government pays interest only while student is enrolled for six (6) or more credits and during the six-month grace period. Interest will start to accrue once the loan goes into repayment.

Unsubsidized: Interest begins to accrue as soon as funds are disbursed.The student can chose to either pay interest while they are in school or let it accrue and be added to the principal balance of the loan (this is called “capitalization”).

Room and board are included in the financial aid budgets, but students are responsible for paying their monthly housing expenses.

Once the financial aid file is complete (all required documentation has been received, entered, and verified, and tuition and fees have been established). You may view your financial aid offer by visiting eServices.

Yes, signing up for Direct Deposit is highly recommended. You may authorize Direct Deposit on your eServices account.

For financial aid disbursement dates, please visit the Northland academic calendar and select the semester you are attending Northland.

Stafford Loans: Six months from date of graduation, withdrawal, or enrolled less than half-time.

State or alternative loans have different repayment requirements. Students should/can always check with their lenders regarding loan repayment. It is important that you communicate with your lender/loan servicer if you are having trouble making payments as you may qualify for deferments, forbearances, etc. Communication may/can keep you out of default!!!

You can visit https://studentaid.gov/ to find out who your lender(s) is/are, phone numbers and addresses of lenders, when you borrowed, and how much you borrowed.