Financial aid brochure

Excellent

investment?

What’s the return on your college Crunch these numbers.

graduates* Average yearly income of college ol graduates* Average yearly income of high scho uate from college Lost annual income if you don’t grad t earn.) than (Over a 40-year career, that’s more

$1 million you won’

*U.S. Census Bureau

scholarships

of NWC graduates finish college in 4 years

ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS

Great students are eligible for great scholarships. Applicants who meet the criteria below are automatically awarded scholarships and invited to attend one of four Scholarship Day competitions to compete for increased scholarship amounts up to the maximums below, including the Peale. The 2013 Scholarship Days are Jan. 14, Jan. 25, Feb. 9 and Feb. 18.

To ensure you’re invited, it’s best to apply to Northwestern by mid-December. Scholarship amounts may vary; contact your admissions counselor for details.

Scholarship

Collegiate Scholarship Presidential Scholarship Peale Scholarship

Minimum

$7,000/year $10,000/year

Maximum*

$10,000/year $13,000/year $18,500/year

ACT Score

≥ 23 ≥ 27

significant financial aid

If you’re wondering how to afford higher education, you should know that few U.S. families are able to finance college without the help of scholarships, grants, loans and work-study employment. We’ll help you tap these resources so you can pay for the college experience you want.

Class Rank/GPA

top 25% or 3.25 top 10% or 3.70

*Scholarship amounts may be raised for recipients who perform well in our Scholarship Day competitions.

Presidential Scholars who participate and achieve top scores will have their scholarships raised to the Peale level.

SCHOLARSHIPS

In addition to the scholarships available from Northwestern, other organizations in your community or area of career interest may also award scholarships to college students.

Ask your high school guidance counselor or other college students in your community for suggestions.

ATHLETICS and FINE ARTS SCHOLARSHIPS

Student-athletes who intend to play intercollegiate sports or performers who participate in art, music and/or theatre may receive athletics and fine arts scholarships. If you are interested in joining a Raider team or hope to participate in fine arts during college, visit our website to contact a coach or professor in the area of your co-curricular interest.

NORTHWESTERN COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

In addition to the scholarships above—as well as scholarships available through sources like your high school, church or community businesses—more than 500 Northwestern College scholarships are available through the generosity of NWC alumni and friends. All enrolled students are automatically considered for these scholarships. (Legacy Grants are also available to students with a family or church connection to Northwestern College.)

Sources of

95%

GRANTS of NWC alumni are employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation.

Their employers and schools include:

Mayo Clinic Ernst & Young Duke University Guthrie Theater Homeland Security Policy Institute University of Iowa Woodstock School in India Princeton Theological Seminary The Principal Financial Group UCLA

Grants are based on need and help bridge the gap between your expected family contribution (EFC), as determined by the FAFSA, and the cost of attending Northwestern. NWC offers grants, as do the federal and state governments. For example, Iowa offers the Iowa Tuition Grant to in-state students who qualify.

LOANS

Most college students take out loans, which are repaid after you graduate or leave school.

College loans often have lower interest rates than other loans, and statistics show NWC students who finance college with loans have approximately the same amount of debt as similar graduates from Iowa’s public universities.

The federal government offers direct (Stafford) loans for college students; loan limits are based on your FAFSA results and grade level. You may also be eligible for private loans from independent lenders to help cover your remaining tuition balance. In addition, your parents may be eligible for a PLUS Loan to help pay your college expenses.

WORK-STUDY

Campus employment is open to any student interested in working in Northwestern’s offices, maintenance department or cafeteria. Students with financial need (as determined by the FAFSA) are paid through the federal work-study program; others are paid by the college.

th

Valuable

small college

be earning earlier In addition to earning more, you’ll about half of than your public university peers, to graduate. s year 6 whom take 5 or

Competitive

costs

97% of parents say Northwestern is worth the money.

Think your family can’t afford a Northwestern education? Think again.

Tuition, fees, and room & board for 2012–13* Approximate average financial aid package for incoming freshmen and new students**

apply for How to

Applying for financial aid may seem complex until you understand the steps involved. We’re here to guide you through those steps and answer any questions you may have. Contact our office any time: Eric Anderson, Director of Financial Aid

financial aid

712-707-7131 • FAX 712-707-7165

Gena Schmidt, Associate Director of Financial Aid

finaid@nwciowa.edu

Carrie Krohn, Financial Services Counselor

www.nwciowa.edu/tuition

Average out-of-pocket cost for tuition, room and board *$25,590 (tuition) + $150 (technology fee) + $7,770 (room & board); 2 semesters, 12–18 credits/semester **Individual financial aid packages, which include loans, depend on a family’s FAFSA results and resources

If that still sounds like a lot, you’re not alone. It’s true: A good college education

isn’t cheap. But remember, the most important number is the amount of your financial aid, which is what makes college possible for most U.S. families. The number above is an average—some students get more, some get less. You won’t know what your financial aid total is until you apply, but you can already be sure of this:

99% of Northwestern students get financial aid, and we want you to be able to afford NWC as much as you do.

W ise

all that.

Step 2 If you meet the criteria for our academic scholarships, watch for an invitation to our Scholarship Days and register to attend one.

Step 3

As soon as possible after Jan. 1, your parents should complete their income taxes.

Step 4 Two weeks after your parents’ taxes are filed, submit a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): www.fafsa.ed.gov. You’ll need Northwestern’s federal school code: 001883. We recommend you use FAFSA’s Auto Data Retrieval function, which pulls information from your tax filing directly into the FAFSA. Step 5 After you complete the FAFSA, you’ll receive a summary of the information you provided on a SAR (Student Aid Report); make sure it’s accurate. Your family’s expected financial contribution (EFC) is determined by the federal government, not Northwestern College.

Step 6

If you have submitted a FAFSA between Jan. 1 and March 1, you’ll receive a financial aid package from Northwestern in mid-March. If you submit after March 1, your financial aid package will arrive 10 to 14 days after you complete the FAFSA. Your financial aid package from Northwestern will be the best package we can offer. We don’t revise packages unless you have a major change in your circumstances.

most important decisions Choosing a college is one of the est ing for it will be one of your bigg you’ll make for your future. Pay on the quality of the

are based investments. The best investments Christian liberal arts colleges, we ng Amo e. product rather than its pric s. So we produce high-quality graduate offer a high-quality product. And f. rsel you in g stin inve ly real is paying for Northwestern College re your future. You don’t know yet whe Bottom line: College is a ticket to on cati edu ge colle t ellen exc an on ly you’re going, so will you spend wise er—as well as the rest of your life? that will prepare you for a great care you ellent economist, nurse or lawyer, Because along with being an exc er lead ity mun com and nt use, pare want to be a smart, Christ-like spo for an education that will prepare you on e pric a put ’t can you And too.

Step 1 Apply for admission to Northwestern College: www.nwciowa.edu/apply. (To be considered for our Scholarship Days competition, it’s best to apply by mid-December.)

Step 7

Review your Northwestern financial aid package and compare your NWC out-of-pocket costs to the out-of-pocket costs of other colleges you’re considering before you make your college decision.

23% 25% 52%

FAMILY INCOMES FOR NWC FRESHMEN

Up to $50,000 $50,001 to 100,000 $100,001+