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Important FAFSA Update

February 15, 2024
A group of five people walk on a pathway outside, with a close-up of a stone wolf statue in the foreground.

A message from Susie Poli-Smith, Vice President of Undergraduate Enrollment and Financial Aid.

UPDATES APRIL 18, 2024

Financial aid packages are being distributed.

Northwood University has begun distributing financial aid offer letters, following what has been one of the most difficult years for families and universities regarding the Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA).

Each financial aid offer letter we send out represents not just numbers on a page, but a tangible commitment to empowering students’ dreams and ambitions. At Northwood University, we understand the profound impact that financial aid can have on shaping futures and unlocking potential, and we are pleased to report our team met its goal to begin distributing financial offer letters last week.

Universities across the country dealt with multiple delays since last fall due to errors by the federal government in its launch of a new financial aid form.

Northwood is grateful to our students and families for their steadfast support and patience with this frustrating situation. We are mailing financial aid offer letters as we receive each studentโ€™s information from the U.S. Department of Education and clear out any outstanding requests.

Each studentโ€™s awards can also be viewed at my.northwood.edu under self-service.

Havenโ€™t filed a FAFSA yet? Northwood University strongly advises every student to continue submitting their FAFSA, as it is a great way to channel all sources of Financial Aid, including State and Federal funding.

Please submit your FAFSA using this link: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

When submitting your FAFSA, donโ€™t forget to use Northwoodโ€™s FAFSA Code: 004072

If you need additional guidance or support, our Financial Aid Team at (989) 837-4230 is ready to help!


UPDATES APRIL 4, 2024

The U.S. Department of Education continues to report issues affecting students and their FAFSA forms. Northwood University is on track to begin sending out financial aid awards the week of Monday, April 8, barring any additional delays caused by the Department of Education.

Errors by the federal government โ€” as recent as Friday, March 29 โ€” have caused multiple delays. You can read the latest update from the National Association of Student Aid Financial Aid Administrators, which was posted Monday, April 1, here.

We understand how frustrating this is for students and their families. We are deeply committed to servicing everyone as soon as possible โ€” and we are continuing to generously award merit scholarships for incoming students.

Once we receive a studentโ€™s information from the U.S. Department of Education and clear any outstanding requests, we will mail their financial aid award package. Each studentโ€™s awards can also be viewed at my.northwood.edu under self-service.

Havenโ€™t filed a FAFSA yet? Northwood University strongly advises every student to continue submitting their FAFSA, as it is a great way to channel all sources of Financial Aid, including State and Federal funding. 

Please submit your FAFSA using this link: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa 

When submitting your FAFSA, donโ€™t forget to use Northwoodโ€™s FAFSA Code: 004072 

Our Office of Financial Aid is working hard behind the scenes to send out Financial Aid offers as soon as possible. If you need additional guidance or support, our Financial Aid Team at (989) 837-4230 is ready to help!


Dear Northwood Family,

Whether youโ€™re a prospective or current student or family member, we wanted to share the following information. You may have recently experienced issues submitting your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In addition, you may have several unanswered questions as the federal government revises the application, but we want to reassure you that Northwood University is here to help as best we can.

At Northwood, we pride ourselves on offering exceptional customer service. Below are a few ways we can guide you through this uncertain time.  

  • Net Price Calculator exploration sessions walk you through our helpful Net Price Calculator, personalized to individual students. Check out the calculator here.
  • Navigate the FAFSA estimator if you were not given a Student Aid Index (SAI) number when you completed the FAFSA.
  • Attend one of several FAFSA workshops on campus or in the community. We are committed to helping families navigate the new form and answer any questions.
  • Extension of our National College Decision Deadline to June 1st to ensure a flexible admissions process for students and their families. We are sensitive to the delays of the FAFSA and understand there may be changes to your commitment deposit.

Drop in any time during these 2-hour workshop sessions:

  • March 14, from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
  • March 21, from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
  • April 4, from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

You can sign up for a workshop using your Student Portal.

โ€ข Open communication with you and your family about financial aid, the timeline, and other potential questions.

We encourage you to reach out and look forward to assisting you with the FAFSA process. For more information about the FAFSA delays, please click the button below to view a notice from the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) and the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP).

Warm Regards,

Susie Poli-Smith
VP, Undergraduate Enrollment & Financial Aid

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