Financial Aid for Bachelor's Degrees

FAFSA Information and Application

Federal Student Aid

DirectLoans

GI Bill

Scholarships

FinancialAid Resource Guide

Tax Incentives for Higher Education

Loan Repayment Calculator

Whether you’re an active duty, reserve, or veteran member of the U.S. military, you may be able to qualify for more than one military benefit program. The key is to decide which is best for your situation in order to maximize your available benefits.

Go To Military Financial Aid

Every year, approximately $1 billion in tax benefits are left unclaimed. To be eligible for tax benefits, you must file a federal income tax return—no exceptions. According to FAFSA, you could receive a $1,000 tax refund check, even if you don’t owe income tax.

• 
  Possible Tax Credits:
  The American Opportunity Tax Credit – Up to $2,500 
• The Lifetime Learning Tax Credit – Up to $2,000

In addition to claiming tax benefits, you can also deduct tuition expenses and the interest on your student loans from your taxes.

Do you have an IRA?
Many online bachelor’s students are working professionals who have already started saving for the future. If you have an IRA (individual retirement account), the government allows a penalty-free withdrawal from your IRA as long as the money is used for education.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required by the Department of Education in order for a student to be considered for federal aid (both need based and non-need based).
 

How is “Financial Need” determined?

Financial need is determined by subtracting your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), as determined from your FAFSA data, from the cost of attendance (COA) at the schools you list on your application. The COA includes the tuition and fees for the academic year as well as an allocation to cover cost of living expenses while enrolled.

Why is it important to file your FAFSA ASAP?

Did you know that practically everyone is able to receive some sort of aid? To find out what you are eligible to receive, you
must complete the form online at fafsa.ed.gov. While you can apply for financial aid at any point in the admissions process, we encourage you to apply early to ensure all paperwork is complete before class starts if you are accepted into the program.

When completing the form, you will need the school code for any institution you may attend. Norwich University’s code is 003692.

What happens next?

The Department of Education will process your FAFSA information and send it to each school you listed on the application. To be reviewed for aid at Norwich, you must be officially accepted into a degree program. Your eligibility will then be reviewed. Based on the aid awarded, you may be asked to complete a master promissory note, entrance counseling, and submit your official decision regarding the loan(s) offered to finalize the loan process.

Example Payment Plan

Below is an example of what a bachelor’s degree completion student may expect to pay if the student borrows $4,000 and does not have existing Unsubsidized Direct Loans*:

Repayment Summary
Months in Repayment: 120 
Monthly Payment: $50 
Total Interest Payment: $580 
Total Loan Payment: $4580
_{*This example is based on a standard repayment plan with an interest rate of 2.75%. Payment plans will vary on a case-by-case basis.}

Most student federal assistance is determined based on financial need. Your need is calculated by finding the difference between the cost of attending school and your expected family contribution. The first step in qualifying for federal assistance is to complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Pell Grant: This grant is available to first-time bachelor’s degree completion students who demonstrate financial need. The funds are awarded based on your Expected Family Contribution on the FAFSA and your current enrollment status. Since this is a grant and not a loan, you will not have to pay it back.

Subsidized Direct Loan: This loan is available to undergraduate students who are enrolled at least half-time (6 credits per term for Norwich students) and demonstrate financial need. A credit check is not required to qualify for this loan.

Unsubsidized Direct Loan: This loan is available to all undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled at least half-time regardless of financial need, and does not require a credit check. The interest will accrue from the time the loan is disbursed to the school.

Interest Rates on Loans: The U.S. Department of Education lists current loan interest rates at StudentAid.ed.gov/interest.

De Oppresso Liber Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to Enlisted and Warrant Officer US Army Special Forces (SF) Soldiers in Career Management Field 18/180. The scholarship is available to students enrolled in any bachelor’s or master’s program available at Norwich University’s College of Graduate and Continuing Studies.

Brian R. Bill ‘01 Memorial Scholarship

The Brian Bill Memorial Fund seeks to honor those who served in conflicts dedicated to preserving our nation’s freedom. Students enrolled in the Strategic Studies and Defense Analysis program who are Navy SEALs or other U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) personnel are eligible for this scholarship.

Sergeants Three Scholarship (S3)

Students who are Special Operations Forces Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen and are enrolled in the Strategic Studies and Defense Analysis program can apply for the S3 scholarship. S3 scholarships help to prevent gaps in enrollment caused by tuition reimbursement caps or delays.

Special Operations Forces Fund

This fund assists students with academic expenses not covered by the Tuition Assistance (TA) Program. This scholarship is awarded to Enlisted and Warrant Officers, and US Special Forces (SOF) who are enrolled in any bachelor’s or master’s program available at Norwich University’s College of Graduate and Continuing Studies.
 

Community Service

Numerous national and regional organizations offer scholarships to students who volunteer their time to better their community.

Research Fellowships

If you’re pursuing a career where research is critical, you may be eligible for funding from organizations in your field.

Professional Associations

If you are a working professional, trade associations in your field will often provide scholarships and fellowships.

Employer Tuition Assistance

Working professionals should check with their HR department to see if the company offers a tuition reimbursement program.

If you have exhausted scholarships, federal loans, and other tuition assistance options, you may consider a loan from a private lender like a bank, a credit union, or a state agency.

You should carefully review the terms of any loan and compare them to others you may have received. Key items to consider include the interest rate, repayment terms, and fees.

Credit Check

A credit check will be performed by any private lender to help them determine your creditworthiness and loan rate. Limit the number of lenders you apply to because too many credit checks can lower your credit score.

Interest Rates

There are two basic types of interest rates that may be offered with a student loan: fixed rate or variable rate. Better rates will be given to those with good credit scores and will also depend on the number of years you have to repay your loan.

Repayment Terms

Some loans require repayment to begin immediately, which means that you will make payments while attending school. Other loans will have a deferment period, which generally require payments to begin only after you have left school.

The amount of time you choose to pay off the loan (ranging from 5-20 years) will affect the interest rate, the monthly payment, and the amount you repay to the lender above the original loan amount (interest).