Financial Aid
Grants & Scholarships
Grants & Scholarships
We’re committed to keeping quality education accessible for students from all economic backgrounds, and one way we do that is through scholarships (based on merit) and grants (based on need). The good news is that neither has to be paid back—ever! This is NNU’s investment in you! And there’s more good news. The majority of first-time NNU students qualify for scholarships and/or grants! In fact, in 2023, 100% of students received financial aid. On average, 33% of our graduates complete their degree with NO DEBT at all. Christian education is worth the price, and you don’t ever need to feel like you have to pay it alone.
Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarships are financial awards given to students to help them pursue their education. Scholarships do not require repayment. Scholarships are typically awarded based on academic achievement, financial need, athletic ability, artistic talent or other criteria specified by the scholarship provider. Scholarships can cover tuition fees, textbooks, accommodation expenses and other educational costs, helping students to access higher education opportunities and pursue their academic goals.
First Time Students
Pastor and Missionary Kid Grants
A reduction of tuition is available for dependent children age 24 or younger of active, full-time pastors, chaplains, evangelists or missionaries whose primary income is from this vocation.
NNU Church Matching Scholarships
NNU offers matches to some awards for eligible students who fit specific criteria. We strongly recommend you check with your church regarding sponsorship requirements, necessary applications and submission timelines.
Christian Partner High Schools
First-time first-year students who attended and graduated from a Christian Education Partner high school and earned a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher are eligible for this scholarship. Students are awarded an NNU annual scholarship of $4,000 ($2,000 if living off-campus) for up to four years depending on how many years the student attended the high school. One year of attendance at the high school equals one year of NNU Christian Education Partner High School Scholarship.
ROTC Housing Scholarship
Students who live on campus and are actively participating in the ROTC program are eligible for a housing scholarship that only covers the room. A meal plan needs to be purchased separately. This scholarship requires enrollment in grade-level Military Science courses and approval of the military advisor after the first year.
Ministerial Scholarships
Ministerial scholarships are available through the College of Theology and Christian Ministries. These scholarships are available to students at NNU who have a major and minor in the College of Theology and Christian Ministries and are members of the Church of the Nazarene. The first-year student ministerial scholarship is $2,000. Please visit the College of Theology and Christian Ministries for more information.
Need-Based Grants
Students who demonstrate financial need could be eligible for a need-based grant. These grants are based on a percentage of need as determined by the FAFSA, and amount of aid already provided to the student either from outside sources or from institutional aid such as those listed on this page.
Community Scholarships Awarded by NNU
NNU is proud to support our community and churches through other scholarships offered at events such as the Harvest Classic, various auctions to help with fundraising for schools and churches, scholarship recognition programs and many others. Students must be accepted for admission and be full-time, traditional undergraduate, degree seeking, currently enrolled students at NNU in order to receive these awards.
Nazarene Youth International (NYI) Scholarships
These awards are given to students in recognition of excellence in various areas of talent as well as Bible quizzing competitions within the Church of the Nazarene district (NYI) each year. NYI awards can be won at a local or national level. The student should present a copy of each award to the NNU Financial Aid Office so that the scholarship(s) can be included as part of the student’s overall financial aid offer. Students must be accepted for admission and be full-time undergraduate, degree-seeking, currently enrolled students at NNU in order to receive these awards. Any other conditions for use appear on the certificate.
Academic Scholarships
The Academic Scholarship is given to incoming first-year students who display excellence in academic achievement. This scholarship must be applied to tuition costs. Renewal is based upon maintaining an NNU cumulative GPA of at least 2.5. Consult the Office of Financial Aid for more details.
2023-2024 Academic Scholarships are as follows:
- $18,000 – President’s Scholarship
- $16,000 – Dean’s Scholarship
- $14,000 – Wesley Scholarship
- $12,000 – Riley Scholarship
*Note: Periodically, based on inflation and other factors, NNU adjusts the maximum amount for the match for first-year students, with that amount remaining the same during a student’s four years of attendance.
Talent-Based Scholarships
Talent awards are competitively selected, may be renewable and typically can be added to any merit awards you have earned.
Talent-based scholarships fall into several categories:
- Music and Theatre (Music scholarships are available for both major and non-major students, and are dependent upon an audition. Please visit the Department of Music for more information.)
- Athletics
- Speech and Debate
- Religion/Theology
Transfer Students
Academic Scholarship
The Academic Scholarship is awarded to transfer students who display excellence in their academic achievement. It’s based upon your cumulative GPA from all colleges and/or universities attended and must be applied to tuition costs.
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship
NNU Church Matching Scholarships
NNU offers matches to some awards for eligible students who fit specific criteria. We strongly recommend you check with your church regarding sponsorship requirements, necessary applications and submission timelines.
Department Specific Scholarships
Ministerial scholarships are available through the College of Theology and Christian Ministries. These scholarships are available to students at NNU who have a major and minor in the College of Theology and Christian Ministries and are members of the Church of the Nazarene. The first-year student ministerial scholarship is $2,000. Please visit the College of Theology and Christian Ministries for more information.
Music scholarships are available for both major and non-major students, and are dependent upon an audition. Please visit the Department of Music for more information.
Pastor and Missionary Kid Grants
ROTC Housing Scholarship
Students who live on campus and are actively participating in the ROTC program are eligible for a housing scholarship that only covers the room. A meal plan needs to be purchased separately. This scholarship requires enrollment in grade-level Military Science courses and approval of the military advisor after the first year.
Community Scholarships Awarded by NNU
NNU is proud to support our community and churches through other scholarships offered at events such as the Harvest Classic, various auctions to help with fundraising for schools and churches, scholarship recognition programs and many others. Students must be accepted for admission and be full-time, traditional undergraduate, degree seeking, currently enrolled students at NNU in order to receive these awards.
Current Students
Nazarene Pastor and Missionary Kid Grants
A reduction of tuition is available for dependent children of active, full-time pastors, chaplains, evangelists or missionaries serving the Church of the Nazarene. This scholarship must be applied to tuition costs.
Other Denomination Pastor and Missionary Kid Grants
A reduction of tuition may be available for dependent children of active, full-time pastors, chaplains, evangelists or missionaries whose primary income is based on a career serving a church that is not Nazarene.
Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) Grant
A reduction of tuition may be available for dependent children of MAF missionaries and local MAF staff. This scholarship must be applied to tuition costs.
NNU Church Matching Scholarships
NNU offers matches to church awards for eligible students who fit specific criteria. Sponsorship by many churches requires regular attendance or participation in youth groups. We strongly recommend you check with your church regarding sponsorship requirements, necessary applications and submission timelines.
Community Scholarships Awarded by NNU
Other Scholarships
Charles & Maxine Skaggs Foundation Scholarship
Sponsored by the Gary and Maxine Skaggs Foundation, this scholarship is available toall undergraduate students at NNU, though preference may be given to healthcare and social work related fields.
Roy and Leona Nelson Foundation Scholarship
Sponsored by the Roy and Leona Nelson Foundation, this scholarship is available to undergraduate students who are graduates of an Eastern Washington or Northern Idaho high school.
Adult & Professional Studies
Graduate & Professional Studies
Grants and scholarships for Graduate & Professional Studies are case by case and program by program. Please talk with your financial aid advisor to explore your options and ensure you have sufficient funds available.
Veterans
Yellow Ribbon Program
NNU has an unlimited number of Yellow Ribbon Scholarships available. This program makes additional funds available if your tuition and fees exceed the maximum available from the Post 9/11 GI Bill®. The Yellow Ribbon Program is only available to Veterans entitled to the maximum benefit rate (100 percent). Visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for more information.
Grants
Grants are financial awards given by governments, organizations, institutions or individuals. Unlike loans, grants do not need to be repaid. Grants often have specific criteria and guidelines that applicants must meet.
Federal Pell Grants
Federal Pell Grants are awarded to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need (based on FAFSA information), and have not yet earned a bachelor’s, graduate or professional degree. To learn more about the Pell Grant, visit the Pell Grant page at Federal Student Aid.
FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANT (FSEOG)
Students who are Pell Grant eligible, may also be eligible for the SEOG fund. SEOG is awarded based on financial need and availability of funds. For more information visit Federal Student Aid.
