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Frequently asked questions
What is Northwestern’s Tuition Guarantee?
Northwestern is making a guarantee to incoming freshmen that tuition, room and board fees will not increase during their four years here, enabling them to plan for their long-term college expenses more effectively.
How does it work?
Northwestern will establish a price for tuition, room and board for each incoming class. The amount charged students for the freshman year will remain in effect for each of their four years at NWC.
What is covered in Northwestern’s Tuition Guarantee?
Full-time tuition, room charges for a residence hall, and the meal plan are all included in the guarantee.
What isn’t covered?
Any additional fees (such as overload charges, music lessons, the nursing program deposit, non-residence hall housing, parking permits, and over-and-above off-campus study costs) will not be covered by the guarantee.
What are the benefits of this program?
Northwestern’s Tuition Guarantee allows families to plan more effectively for the total cost of a college education at NWC. That predictability also enables Northwestern to better advise students and parents on options to meet their financial needs. In addition, we expect this program to have a positive impact on our student retention rate.
Why is Northwestern pioneering this program?
The Department of Education, Congress and others have expressed concern about annual college cost increases that have greatly surpassed the national rate of inflation and made a college education unaffordable for some families. At Northwestern, we take this issue very seriously. Enacting this program signifies our intention to be a leader in helping families plan for college. And by making college costs predictable, Northwestern affirms our commitment to provide excellent service and value to students and their families.
Does Northwestern’s Tuition Guarantee mean I’ll get less financial aid?
No. Financial aid will be determined the same way as in the past.
Will my financial aid package stay the same year to year?
Yes, provided your situation remains the same. If your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) significantly changes, the amount of federal, state or institutional funding may increase or decrease as well. Your financial aid package may also change if you become involved, or decide not to continue being involved, in campus activities in which scholarships are available. In addition, the availability of federal loans increases as you gain college credits, which could reduce your out-of-pocket costs in later years. And you may become eligible for Northwestern endowed scholarships later in your college career.
What if I leave school for a while?
Northwestern will allow students to leave school for up to two semesters and still retain their original guarantee. If they are gone for more than two semesters, they will return at a new guarantee amount, determined at the incoming freshman level in place when they re-enroll.
What if I don’t graduate in four years?
The tuition guarantee is available for up to five years.
I’m interested in transferring to NWC. Does Northwestern’s Tuition Guarantee apply to me too?
Yes, it does. You will pay the same amount paid by incoming freshmen in the year you enroll at Northwestern.
Does the Northwestern Tuition Guarantee apply to part-time students as well?
No. Part-time students will be charged based on the number of credit hours in which they are enrolled. Students who move from part-time to full-time status will join the guarantee program the year they become full time, paying the same rate as that year’s incoming freshmen.
I have an older brother/sister already attending NWC. How will Northwestern’s Tuition Guarantee affect them?
Students already at Northwestern prior to the guarantee's implementation in the fall of 2007 will remain on the current tuition and room-and-board schedule as in the past.
What about my younger brother/sister? Will they pay the same as I do when they attend Northwestern?
No. Each sibling will enter at a different guaranteed rate depending on the year each enrolls at Northwestern.
Will Northwestern still offer a family tuition discount for the second and each additional family member enrolled at the same time?
We will continue to offer the discount; it will be proportional to each student.
How does Northwestern’s Tuition Guarantee work with the college’s off-campus or study abroad programs?
If an off-campus program’s cost is higher than Northwestern’s, the student will pay the additional amount. Otherwise, the program costs will be covered by your normal tuition, room and board.
How does this affect current NWC students?
Students already at Northwestern prior to the guarantee's implementation in the fall of 2007 will remain on the current tuition and room-and-board schedule as in the past.
After this program is enacted, how will Northwestern’s costs compare to those of other private colleges in Iowa?
Based on historical average increases among Iowa private colleges, we expect Northwestern’s expenses will continue to be competitive with our peers. In addition, remember that what you pay at Northwestern will not increase over the next three years, whereas you can expect to see annual increases at other colleges. Last year, tuition increased an average of six percent at private and public colleges nationwide.
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