Financial Aid Program

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  • A FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) must be submitted to determine eligibility for financial assistance including: Pell, student loans, Alabama Student Assistance Program Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Work-Study and certain scholarships. www.studentaid.gov
  • Students will also need to obtain a FSA ID at www.studentaid.gov to e-sign the FAFSA. Parents of dependent students must obtain a FSA ID, also.

To have funds available by the first day of class, students should complete the FAFSA 3 to 4 weeks in advance. All additional paperwork will need to be turned in within 2 weeks of the first day of class.

Special Circumstance

Eligibility is normally based upon the prior year’s income. Under certain circumstances, however, eligibility may be based on current income. Death of a parent or a spouse, loss of income due to natural disaster, unemployment or displaced worker status may allow one to file for special conditions and base eligibility on current income. A student with one of these conditions should contact the Financial Aid Office.

General Information

The objective of the Financial Aid Program is to assist students who have a financial need by providing an aid package that may include scholarships, grants, loans and work on campus.

The primary responsibility for meeting college costs lies with the student’s family and with the student. A financial need is established when it is determined that the resources of the family (expected family contribution) do not meet the cost of attending a particular college. Costs include items such as board, books and supplies, personal expenses and allowable transportation costs. For financial aid purposes, the cost of attendance budget for dependent and independent students is $14,220. A student’s computed financial need is the total cost of attending a particular college minus the expected family contribution.

Any student enrolled or any prospective student may apply for financial aid. However, no offer of financial assistance will be made until the student has been accepted for admission.

Verification of Student Aid

Verification is a process used to make sure that the information applicants report is accurate. This prevents ineligible students from receiving aid by reporting false information, and it ensures that eligible students receive all of the aid for which they are qualified.

Each year the Department of Education selects a group of applications for verification. Some of these applicants are selected because of FAFSA information that is inconsistent with information elsewhere on the application; others are chosen at random.

In any case, a student whose application is selected must give the financial aid office certain documentation to show that the application information is correct. The sooner the student verifies this information, the sooner he/she will be able to receive financial aid, if eligible.

The Student Must Apply for Aid Each School Year. At Northeast, Fall always begins the new year and Summer is always the last semester.

The priority deadline to apply for financial aid is July 15th. FSEOG funds and ASAP funds are awarded to those students with the greatest need. Students who apply after the priority deadline are given consideration only if funds are available.

Federal Title IV Aid and Programs Available (Need Based)

FEDERAL PELL GRANT – The Pell Grant is an entitlement program which does not have to be repaid. The award will vary based on EFC and class schedule, with maximum award of $7,395 for two semesters. Pell Grant funds may be used for tuition and books/supplies. Any funds remaining will be paid directly to the student by direct deposit or check. The Business Office will release funds within 3 weeks after the first day of class. 

FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANT (FSEOG) – The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant may range from $100 to $1,200 per academic year and does not have to be repaid. It is based on the lowest expected family contribution (EFC). The Business Office will issue and mail checks in a timely manner.

ALABAMA STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM GRANT (ASAP) – The Alabama Student Assistance Program Grant may range from $300 to $1,200 per academic year and is determined by the lowest Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number and need based. The Business Office will issue and mail checks in a timely manner.

FEDERAL COLLEGE WORK-STUDY – Federal College Work-Study provides jobs on campus for students who need financial aid and who must earn a part of their educational expenses. Students work an average of 15 hours per week at the minimum wage rate and are paid at the end of each month. Limited positions are available each year. The Business Office will issue checks on the last day of each month.

Direct Loans

To receive a Direct Loan, students

  • Must have submitted a FAFSA.
  • MUST complete required entrance counseling and MPN at www.studentaid.gov. 

William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans are either subsidized or unsubsidized. Repayment of these loans will begin six months after the student’s enrollment level drops below half-time. With a subsidized loan you will not be charged any interest while enrolled. With an unsubsidized loan you will be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full.

The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans are need-based loans. Annual loan limits will be determined using information received from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Enrollment Policy

Students must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a program leading to a degree or certificate from Northeast. Students admitted as special, dual enrolled temporary, transient, post-baccalaureate, and non-degree graduate do not meet this requirement. Students will not be paid retroactively for terms for which they were classified as ineligible. The list below can be used to determine your status

  • Full time: 12-24 plus semester credit hours
  • 3/4 time: 9-11 semester credit hours
  • 1/2 time: 6-8 semester credit hours
  • 1/4 time: 1-5 semester credit hours

Dependent/Independent Policy 

The Federal Government has identified, for student financial assistance programs, certain categories of students who must be considered independent financial aid applicants. For 2023-2024, a student is considered an independent financial aid applicant if he or she meets one of the following criteria:

  • was born before January 1, 2000
  • is a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces
  • is an orphan or ward of the court
  • has a legal dependent other than a spouse
  • is a married student
  • is a graduate or professional student
  • see FAFSA Application

An independent financial aid applicant is not required to submit parental information in the application process.

However, if the independent applicant is married, spousal information must be reported. A student who cannot meet at least one of the criteria is considered a dependent applicant and must provide parental information in the application process.