Financial aid for Indigenous Lumberjacks

Steps to apply for financial aid as an Indigenous student

Step 1: Complete the FAFSA

Start by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is the most important step in receiving financial aid. Many tribes and tribal organizations will use your FAFSA data to determine scholarship eligibility.

Be sure to submit your FAFSA by April 1, NAU's priority deadline and use NAU's school code: 001082. You will need to complete the FAFSA each year you are enrolled to remain eligible for financial aid.

Step 2: Watch for FAFSA verification

If you're selected for a process called "verification," you’ll see a notification in your LOUIE To Do List. Don’t worry, it’s a standard part of the process for some students, and we’ll guide you through it.

Step 3: Complete your Consent to Release FAFSA Data form

This one-time form (found in your LOUIE To Do List) gives NAU permission to share your FAFSA info with your tribe. That way, we can help coordinate your financial aid and make sure nothing’s missed.

Step 4: Submit your Financial Needs Analysis (FNA) form

Your FNA form helps your tribe determine your aid eligibility. Some tribes require this each semester, others just once a year. Submit your completed form to scholarships@nau.edu. Need help? Watch the step-by-step video below.

Step 5: Accept your financial aid

Once your FNA and FAFSA are processed, your financial aid package will be awarded. Watch the video below to see how the process works and what to expect.

Full tuition coverage through Access2Excellence

Indigenous students who are members of Arizona’s 22 federally recognized tribes automatically qualify for NAU’s Access2Excellence (A2E) program which covers full tuition and fees at Flagstaff and statewide campuses. It doesn’t matter where you live or what your family income is. If you’re eligible, your tuition and fees are covered.

Resources and reminders

Know your deadlines

Every tribe has its own scholarship timeline. Don’t miss your deadline. Check the list of important dates and deadlines and mark your calendar.

Explore more scholarships

Watch the video below for tips and resources on finding and applying for additional scholarships and financial aid for Indigenous students.

Keep your aid with Satisfactory Academic Progress

To keep receiving financial aid, you’ll need to meet basic academic standards. Learn how Satisfactory Academic Progress works and what to do if your aid is at risk.

Land Acknowledgement

Northern Arizona University sits at the base of the San Francisco Peaks, on homelands sacred to Native Americans throughout the region. We honor their past, present, and future generations, who have lived here for millennia and will forever call this place home.