2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

Available Assistance

Northwest awards and/or administers many types of financial aid from federal, state, University, and private sources. Financial aid can be divided into four general categories:

  • Grants, which are financial gifts usually based on financial need.
  • Scholarships, which are financial gifts usually based on academic, athletic, or other high achievement.
  • Loans, which can be from the University or the Department of Education.
  • Employment, which can be either on- or off-campus. If the student is employed on-campus, he or she may be “regularly” employed, or employed as “work-study.”

Grants and scholarships are gifts and usually do not have to be repaid. Loans must be repaid with interest at a future date, which usually commences six months after the student ceases to be enrolled as at least a half-time student. For information, contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Assistance, (660) 562-1363.

Financial aid programs assume that the primary responsibility for educational and living expenses rests with the students and/or parents to the extent they are able to provide assistance. Most of Northwest’s aid is designed to supplement family resources. In addition to parental contributions and student savings, other sources of non-University funding to be considered are monetary service and religious organization awards, and high school awards.