Your Financial Aid Award Offer
Your Nova Southeastern University Financial Aid Award Offer outlines all the financial aid packages you're currently eligible for. This offer can include a mix of aid types, such as:
- Loans: These require repayment with interest.
- Scholarships: These are typically merit-based and don't need to be repaid.
- Grants: These are usually need-based and don't require repayment
To help you better understand your financial aid award offer, here are some key points to keep in mind.
1. Review the Terms and Conditions Annually
- Understand your obligations: Each source of financial aid has specific requirements. These may include loan repayment terms, maintaining satisfactory academic progress, and meeting renewal criteria.
- Stay informed: The Terms and Conditions of Your Financial Aid Award Offer outline these details. This document is updated yearly to reflect changes in financial aid programs, federal and state regulations, and institutional policies.
2024-2025 Terms and Conditions 2023-2024 Terms and Conditions
2. Accept, Decline, or Modify Your Awards
Before your financial aid can be disbursed to your student account, you must decide whether to accept, decline, or modify your loans and Federal Work-Study awards.
Get Step-by-Step Instructions to Accept, Modify, or Decline Your Awards
Award Amounts and Enrollment Status
Awards issued prior to your add/drop date for the semester are based on the cost of attendance for full-time enrollment status. This means that your awards may have to be adjusted for your actual enrollment, if you do not attend full time in degree-applicable coursework.
How many degree-applicable credits you need to be eligible for financial aid depends on the type of financial aid you are looking to receive. The grid in the dropdown below provides some general guidance, however, for more details, you should carefully review the Terms and Conditions of Your Financial Aid Award Offer.
| Financial Aid Type | Credits |
|---|---|
|
Pell Grant |
1 - 12 or more financial aid eligible credits* |
|
Effective Access to Student Education (EASE) Grant |
12 or more financial aid eligible credits (9 credits for nursing students) |
|
Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG) |
12 or more financial aid eligible credits (9 credits for nursing students) |
|
Florida Bright Futures Award |
6 or more financial aid eligible credits |
|
NSU Dean's Scholarship (undergraduates only) |
12 or more financial aid eligible credits |
|
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) |
1 or more financial aid eligible credit |
|
TEACH Grant |
1 - 12 or more financial aid eligible credits* |
|
Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans |
Half-time** |
|
Direct PLUS Loans |
Half-time** |
|
Scholarships |
Varies ~ Usually 12 or more financial aid eligible credits for undergraduates and 6 or more credits for graduates |
|
Federal Work-Study |
1 - 12 or more financial aid eligible credits |
*The grant amount is prorated when you enroll less than full time.
**Half-time enrollment is defined as 6 credits per semester for all undergraduate students. For graduate and first professional students, half-time status varies by program.
Tip: Be sure to be enrolled in all credits you plan to take for the entire semester before the end of the first drop/add period in each term to ensure that you receive your maximum award.
4. Dropping or Withdrawing from Classes
If you completely withdraw from all financial aid-eligible courses within an academic semester for which you have received financial aid, you will be reviewed for a Return of Title IV Funds calculation.
As a general rule, it is always a good idea to consult your academic adviser and a financial aid counselor before you make adjustments to your schedule. Dropping a class may lead to the following unwelcome surprises:
- Your grants and loans may be reduced or reversed.
- You may fail to meet the renewal requirements for your scholarships.
- You may fail to meet the requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and lose eligibility for federal and state aid.
- You may end up with an outstanding balance on your student account.
- If you are an international student, your immigration status may be affected.
Learn More about Return of Title IV Funds
5. Check Your NSU Email and Financial Aid Account Regularly
NSU email and SharkLink are the official means that the Office of Financial Aid will use to communicate with you. We cannot stress enough how important it is for you to regularly check on your financial aid status and read emails sent to you from Financial Aid and Academic Records (FAAR). You may receive notifications about outstanding requirements that are preventing your funds from being disbursed or about changes in your eligibility, university and/or federal and state funding.
Contact Us
Horvitz Admin. Bldg
3300 S. University Drive
Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33328-2004
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
(954) 262-3380 | 800-806-3680