Access2Excellence

Access2Excellence (A2E) helps qualifying Arizona students and tribal members attend NAU tuition-free. It's our commitment to making a life-changing degree possible for more Lumberjacks.

Who's eligible for A2E?

We created A2E to expand access to higher education and open doors for more Arizona students. To qualify, you’ll need to:

  • Apply and be admitted to NAU.
  • Complete your FAFSA (starting October 1) and submit any required documents.
  • Enroll full-time (12+ credits per term).
  • Plan to attend NAU's Flagstaff or a statewide campus (online students are not eligible).

How much funding can I get?

A2E guarantees full undergraduate tuition for:

This is available at Flagstaff and statewide campuses (but not for online students).

What A2E pays for, and what it doesn't

A2E covers your full undergraduate tuition (fall and spring terms only).

A2E does not cover:

  • mandatory and program/college fees
    • (The Arizona Promise Program is available for eligible students to help cover the cost of mandatory college fees.)
  • housing, food, textbooks, or other personal costs
  • winter or summer session tuition

Access2Excellence is made possible through federal, state, and institutional waivers and grants. This program is contingent upon the continuation of Title IV Federal Student Aid programs, such as the Federal Pell and Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants, administered through the US Department of Education.

A2E FAQs

Learn more about the Access2Excellence program and how to get started.

How do I qualify for A2E?

You qualify for A1E if:

  • You are a newly admitted Arizona first-year or transfer student (starting fall 2023 or later).
  • You submit the FAFSA (NAU code: 001082) by April 1.
  • Your household has an AGI (Adjusted Gross Income) of $65,000 or less.
  • You have a Student Aid Index (SAI) of $65,000 or less.

Online students are not eligible for A2E.

I’m a part of one of Arizona’s 22 federally recognized tribes. Am I eligible?

Yes! If you’re a member of one of Arizona’s 22 federally recognized tribes, you qualify for A2E no matter your income or where you live. You may need to provide Tribal ID or a Certificate of Indian Blood (CIB).

How long does A2E last?

You can receive A2E for up to four years (eight semesters), as long as you’re enrolled full-time at the Flagstaff campus or a statewide campus.

Which income year is being used to determine A2E eligibility?

Your FAFSA pulls income data from two years prior. If your family’s financial situation has changed, you may qualify to file a Contribution Appeal.

I'm a Lumberjack Scholar. Do I still qualify?

Nope. Your tuition is already fully covered (hooray!). But you should still file the FAFSA to be considered for additional aid.

Can I combine A2E with other scholarships?

Yes! A2E works with other tuition scholarships (like President’s or Dean’s) as long as your combined awards don’t exceed tuition. A2E-eligible aid is awarded in the following order and applied directly to the cost of tuition:

  • NAU in-state tuition scholarships (Lumberjack, President’s, Dean’s with Distinction, Dean’s, Opportunity, Jacks, 2NAU)
  • federal grants (Pell, FSEOG)
  • state/institutional grants (Financial Aid Trust, University)

Once the full cost of tuition has been met, any remaining grant funds and student loans (if accepted by the student) will apply to other institutional charges, such as fees, housing, and food.

Offered aid amounts and types are subject to availability of funds and student eligibility. NAU reserves the right to adjust students’ offered aid at any time based on changes to either criterion.

What if my family makes more than $65,000?

You won’t qualify for A2E, but NAU offers other financial aid and scholarship support for students at all income levels.

Can I start in spring and still qualify?

Yes, A2E applies to eligible students starting in either fall or spring.

I am a transfer student. Can I get A2E?

Yes! A2E is open to both first-year and transfer undergrads attending Flagstaff and statewide campuses.

Still have questions?

Contact NAU's Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid at 928-523-4951 or financial.aid@nau.edu.