Paying for your education is a significant financial commitment. There are several ways to finance your degree program if paying your tuition and fees directly is not an option for you.
Federal Student Aid - Title IV
Individual institutions are certified by the United States Department of Education to participate in Federal Student Aid programs authorized by Title IV of the Higher Education Act (Title IV, HEA Program). This includes Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans, Federal Parent and Grad PLUS loans, and Federal Pell Grants. If you are interested in learning more, check out the Federal Student Aid website.
U.S. Military Student Assistance
Active-duty service members, veterans, Reserves or National Guard members, and eligible family members may have access to branch-specific military tuition assistance or education benefits from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
Tuition Assistance at Work
Many companies offer tuition assistance. Be sure to check with your employer to see if they provide this benefit. In addition, NCU partners with several different professional organizations, companies, and community colleges to provide tuition reductions for their members and alumni. Visit our Partnerships page to see if this might benefit you.
Private Education Loan
A private education loan is a non-Federal Student Aid (FSA) loan that is made to a borrower expressly for postsecondary education expenses, regardless of whether the loan is provided through the educational institution that the student attends or directly to the borrower from the private educational lender. In either case, borrowers should know that they may qualify for FSA loans or other assistance from FSA programs and that the terms and conditions of an FSA loan may be more favorable than the provisions of private education loans.
Grants or Scholarships
At times, universities and private organizations offer grants or scholarships to provide students with extra financial support. Grants and scholarships do not need to be paid back but may have requirements, such as maintaining a minimum GPA. NCU offers several different scholarships, so be sure to check with your enrollment advisor for details.