Consumer Information

Disability services at NNU exist to ensure access to the University and its programs by students with disabilities. NNU’s Office of Disability Services coordinates and provides reasonable accommodations, advocates for an accessible and hospitable learning environment and promotes self-determination on the part of the individuals they serve. Students who qualify for and desire accommodations in this course due to a disability, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, must follow the NNU Disability Services Policies and Procedures as put forth by the Office of Disability Services. Call 208.467.8463 or email disabilityservices@nnu.edu for more information. In order to receive accommodations, the student must personally request specific services each semester. Services are not provided for a student automatically without a request. To access accommodations, the student must contact the Center for Academic Success and Advising (CASA) and comply with Disability Services’ Policies and Procedures. Faculty and staff will work with students to ensure that accommodations are successfully accessed in each course, as applicable. Learn more about frequent accommodations provided by the office.

The cost of attendance reflects the amount of money a typical student is projected to need for school-related expenses during the academic year. This is based on tuition and fee costs, room and board costs, as well as estimated amounts for books, travel and personal expenses. The Office of Financial Aid publishes estimated costs of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation and personal expenses. Actual expenses may vary depending on a number of factors, including but not limited to: number of credits being taken, degree program and housing arrangements. Read the cost of attendance for undergraduates, adult and professional students and graduates. For questions concerning the cost of attendance, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at 208.467.8638 or financialaid@nnu.edu.

Net Price is the amount that a student pays to attend an institution in a single academic year after subtracting any scholarships and grants the student receives. Estimate your net price to attend NNU by using our Net Price Calculator. The calculator allows prospective students to enter information about themselves to find out what students like them paid to attend the institution, after taking grants and scholarships into account. Net price results from the calculator are estimates and are not final or binding and may change. Note: A student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be eligible for federal student aid funds. For questions concerning the Net Price Calculator, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at 208.467.8638 or financialaid@nnu.edu.

Undergraduate Refunds

All students withdrawing from NNU must complete the Request for Withdrawal from School form (select “Withdrawal from Semester – Undergraduate”). See the full refund schedule. Exceptions to the refund schedule will be considered for cases of medical or other hardship on a case-by-case basis upon request of the student and submission of appropriate documentation. For questions regarding the undergraduate refund policy, please contact the Office of the Registrar at 208-467-8548 or registrar@nnu.edu.

Adult and Professional Refunds

Students who withdraw from NNU prior to a course start date will receive a 100% refund of tuition and fees charged for that course. Students who withdraw after a course begins shall receive a prorated refund of tuition and fees for the first 60% of the course. For information on withdrawal dates, please refer to the withdrawal portion of this site. Complete the Withdrawal from Semester form here (select “Withdrawal from Semester – Graduate & Adult & Professional Programs). Typically this form will be completed by a program coordinator. See the refund schedule. For questions regarding the Adult and Professional refund policy, please contact the Office of the Registrar at 208.467.8548 or registrar@nnu.edu.

Graduate Refunds

Students who withdraw from NNU prior to a course start date will receive a 100% refund of tuition and fees charged for that course. Students who withdraw after a course begins shall receive a prorated refund of tuition and fees for the first 60% of the course. For information on withdrawal dates, please refer to the withdrawal portion of this site. Complete the Withdrawal from Semester form here (select “Withdrawal from Semester – Graduate & Adult & Professional Programs). Typically this form will be completed by a program coordinator. See the refund schedule. For questions regarding the graduate refund policy, please contact the Office of the Registrar at 208-467-8548 or registrar@nnu.edu.

Undergraduate students wishing to drop all of their classes from the University should initiate the request by securing a withdrawal form from the Center for Academic Success and Advising. More information on how the process works can be found on the Financial Aid website. For Adult & Professional and Graduate students, the official process of withdrawing from the semester should be started by notifying their program coordinators. Learn more on the Financial Aid website. NOTE: Your financial aid may be affected by withdrawing. Please see “Return of Federal Financial Aid” below for more information. For questions on the withdrawal process, please contact the Center for Academic Success and Advising at 208.467.8463.

For questions regarding the accreditation of the institution, please contact the Office of Academic Affairs at 208.467.8419 or academicaffairs@nnu.edu.

The use, possession, distribution or manufacturing of alcoholic beverages and illicit drugs by students and employees on- or off-campus or as any part of any activity is prohibited. Violations will result in disciplinary action by the appropriate agent(s). For further information about student lifestyle expectations, please see the Student Handbook. For further information regarding lifestyle expectations for NNU personnel, please see the personnel manuals for faculty and staff.

Underage Consumption: Idaho laws prohibit persons under 21 years of age to consume or possess any alcoholic beverage. The first violation is considered an infraction and carries a penalty of three hundred dollars ($300). The second violation is a misdemeanor that carries a penalty of a fine of not more than two thousand dollars ($2,000), or up to thirty (30) days in jail or both. A third or subsequent violation carries a fine of not more than three thousand dollars ($3,000) or up to sixty (60) days in jail or both. A person convicted of a misdemeanor for underage alcohol possession also faces suspension of driving privileges for a period of up to one year. (Idaho 23-604) Providing a minor with alcohol: Idaho laws also charge anyone who sells or delivers alcoholic beverages to persons under 21 years of age with a misdemeanor punishable with a fine of not less than $500, nor more than $1,000, per violation or by imprisonment for a period not to exceed one year or both. (Idaho 23-603) Driving under the influence of alcohol: In Idaho, anyone over 21 years of age with a blood-alcohol level of .08 or higher who is driving or in the driver’s seat with the motor running, or anyone under the age of 21 with a blood-alcohol level of .02 or higher while driving, can be convicted of driving under the influence. A first DUI violation is a misdemeanor punishable with a jail sentence of up to 6 months, a fine of up to $1,000, and will have driving privileges suspended for up to one year, with 90 days of the sentence mandatory. Second violations of driving under the influence within ten years carry penalties including mandatory jail time, a fine up to $2,000 and a license suspension of at least one year. (Idaho 18-8004)

Being under the influence of a Controlled Substance: According to Idaho law, any person convicted of being under the influence of a controlled substance is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable with a fine of up to $1,000 and imprisonment for up to 6 months or both. A second conviction within 5 years for controlled substances requires mandatory jail time of at least 120 days. The court may permit any person convicted of a violation related to controlled substances to complete a licensed drug rehabilitation program in lieu of part or all of the imprisonment in the county jail. (Idaho 37-2732C)

Idaho laws consider manufacturing, delivering or bringing into the state-controlled substances as trafficking, which is considered a felony. A felony for trafficking carries a mandatory minimum fixed term of imprisonment of 1 year and a fine of at least $5,000. Larger amounts of controlled substances can carry penalties of up to 15 years in prison and a $50,000 fine. (Idaho 37-2732B)

If you are convicted of a drug-related offense after you submit the FAFSA, you might lose eligibility for federal student aid and you might be liable for returning any financial aid you received during a period of ineligibility.

Under federal law, distribution of drugs to a person under age 21 is punishable by twice the normal penalty, i.e., a mandatory one-year prison term; a third conviction is punishable by mandatory life imprisonment. These penalties apply to the distribution of drugs in or within 1,000 feet of a college or school. Federal law sets greatly heightened prison sentences for the manufacture and distribution of drugs if death or serious injury results from the use of the substance. Please note: As set out more fully in section 5301 of the Anti-Drug Abuse act of 1988, if you are convicted of drug distribution or possession, the court may suspend your eligibility for Title IV financial aid. If you are convicted three or more times for drug distribution, you may become permanently ineligible to receive Title IV financial aid. Under federal law, distribution of drugs to persons under age 21 is punishable by twice the normal penalty with a mandatory one-year prison sentence; a third conviction is punishable by mandatory life imprisonment. These penalties apply to the distribution of drugs in or within 1,000 feet of a university or school. Federal law sets greatly heightened prison sentences for the manufacture and distribution of drugs if death or serious injury results from the use of the substance. The University is required by the Anti-Drug Abuse Act to report to the government-contracting agency within 10 days of learning of any conviction.

The NNU community commits to a set of principles that promote our ability to fulfill the University’s mission of instilling habits of heart, soul, mind and strength to enable each student to become God’s creative and redemptive agent in the world. One of these commitments is related to the use of drugs and alcohol. We commit to lifestyle choices that promote clarity of thought and purpose and that maintain a positive witness. We choose to avoid the procurement, distribution, and/or use of alcohol as a beverage, tobacco and illegal/unauthorized prescription drugs so that we might protect ourselves and others from the harmful effects and impaired judgment that inevitably result from substance abuse. We choose to avoid other potentially addictive behaviors that may result in the damaging of personal character and witness.

NNU Student Handbook

There are many major physical, mental health, and relational risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and alcohol. A brief summary of some of those risks is presented here.

Alcohol

Drug class: sedative-hypnotic. Unhealthy levels of alcohol consumption are a problem on college campuses across the country. Larger percentages of college students struggle with binge drinking and intoxication than non-college students of the same age. Alcohol abuse can lead to:

• Increased risk of injury and death
• Alcohol is a factor in 60% of fatal burn injuries, drownings and homicides; 50% of severe trauma injuries and sexual assault; and 40% of fatal motor vehicle crashes, suicides and fatal falls
• Greater risk of liver disease, heart disease, sleep disorders, depression, stroke, bleeding from the stomach, sexually transmitted infections from unsafe sex and several types of cancer
• Alcohol addiction/dependency

Even moderate drinking can lead to slower reaction times and impaired driving. College students who drink alcohol will oftentimes experience increased academic distress. Alcohol is very dangerous for pregnant women. Drinking during pregnancy can lead to long-term developmental problems including what is known as fetal alcohol syndrome. Chronic excessive drinking can lead to physical problems such as liver damage.

Marijuana

Drug class: schedule 1 narcotic. Although marijuana use has become more socially acceptable in recent years, there are significant risks involved in using marijuana. Although some states have legalized the recreational use of marijuana, it is still illegal in most states and possession or intoxication could lead to significant fines and arrest. Marijuana use can lead to:

• Damage to nerve cells in the part of the brain where memory is formed, leading to impaired short-term memory
• Impaired sense of time and coordination impacting reaction times and the ability to drive safely.
• Damage to your lungs due to the inhalation of tar which can lead to respiratory infections, cough, and lung cancer
• Increased risk of depression, anxiety and personality disturbances
• Decreased motivation and loss of connection to important personal values
• Risk of addiction/dependency

Cocaine

Drug class: stimulant. Cocaine is a stimulant typically snorted, injected or smoked. Cocaine use will produce a “high” that typically lasts approximately 5 to 20 minutes. This is a highly addictive drug that is associated with severe side effects. Accidental overdose of cocaine can lead to death. Cocaine use can lead to:

• Dependence and addiction
• Heart attack, stroke, seizures and hemorrhaging in the tissue around the brain
• Psychosis, paranoia, depression, anxiety and delusions
• Mood swings and irritability that lead to aggressive behaviors, violence and criminal activity

Pregnant women who use cocaine risk spontaneous abortion, premature labor, low birth rate and greater chances of visual impairment, mental retardation and other developmental problems.

Methamphetamine

Drug class: stimulant. Methamphetamines produce a very similar reaction to cocaine, but they are synthetic and longer acting. Amphetamines are typically shot, snorted, eaten or smoked. Like other stimulants, an accidental overdose of this drug can lead to death. Methamphetamine use can lead to:

• Quick addiction/dependence, sometimes after just one use
• Paranoia, heart and blood vessel problems, twitching, increased body temperature, dehydration, malnutrition and rotting teeth
• Physical and emotional depression, extreme irritability, nervousness, anhedonia and cravings
• Paranoia, anxiety, mental confusion, poor judgment, impaired memory, aggression, excess violence and hallucinations

If used while pregnant, methamphetamine can cause miscarriages, premature delivery, irritable baby syndrome, learning disabilities, growth and developmental delays and increased risk for ADHD, AIDS and hepatitis B and C.

Hallucinogens

Drug class: hallucinogens. The most commonly used hallucinogen is LSD. Street names for LSD include acid, blotter, micro., trip and California sunshine. People have varied experiences while on hallucinogens based upon their setting in previous drug use experience. Users will typically feel detached from their surroundings, experience emotional swings and an altered sense of space and time. At high dosages, the use of hallucinogens can lead to seizures, coma, psychotic states or death. Hallucinogen use can lead to:

• Jitteriness, racing heartbeat, nausea, chills, and numbness to the face and lips
• “Bad trips” which produce frightening experiences leading to anxiety
• Accidental injury or death as a result of unclear thinking about their environment or themselves
• Flashbacks

Ecstasy

Drug class: entactogens. MDMA, MDA and MDE increase heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature. These drugs produce a reaction similar to that of stimulants. These drugs are known as Molly, Adam, Eve or love because they produce a state of warmth towards those around them. Overdose or use in conjunction with high levels of physical activity and warm environments has led to death. Ecstasy use can lead to:

• The inability to regulate body temperature, extreme nausea and a rise in heart rate
• Disinhibition leading to sexually unsafe decisions
• Confusion, depression, sleep problems, drug craving and anxiety
• Difficulty with attention and memory

Opioids

Drug class: opiate analgesics. Individual drugs within this class include opium, heroin, morphine, codeine, delighted, oxycodone, Demerol and others. These drugs are snorted, injected, smoked or swallowed in pill form. These drugs are found on the streets and through medical prescriptions. Opiate overdose can be lethal regardless of its form. Opiate use can lead to:

• Overdose and death
• Slowed breathing
• Nausea and vomiting
• Addiction, dependence, tolerance, and withdrawal
• Increased risk of HIV or hepatitis as a result of injection with shared needles
• Impaired sexual reproduction in men

Individuals who choose to use any of these or other drugs need to be aware of the hazards associated with drug interactions. All of the drugs listed above, and others, may interact with an individual’s prescribed or over-the-counter medication in ways that lead to undesired side effects or death. NNU students needing help to recover from drug use or abuse can find support through the NNU Wellness Center at 208.467.8466 OR wellnesscenter@nnu.edu.

An employee/student who voluntarily acknowledges and reports to his/her supervisor/counselor a controlled substance problem will be given an opportunity to undergo drug counseling and/or a rehabilitation program. (There are no penalties for a student seeking help.)

Resources are available for individuals needing help with addictions or problems related to alcohol and other drug-related problems, including:

NNU Wellness Center
518 E. Dewey Avenue, Nampa, ID
208.467.8466

Families Etc.
516 Holly Street, Rm. 301, Nampa, ID
208.467.8837

Port of Hope
508 E. Florida Avenue, Nampa, ID
800.974.0118

New Start Center for Recovery Intermountain Hospital
303 N. Allumbaugh Street
208.377.8400
800.321.5984

Recovery 4 Life
8950 Emerald Street, Suite 178, Boise, ID
208.376.7083

Lifeways Counseling Center
824 S. Diamond Street, Nampa, ID
208.546.3046

Life Counseling
112 12th Avenue Road, Nampa, ID
208.465.5433

Celebrate Recovery
Nampa First Church of the Nazarene, Nampa, ID
208.466.3549

Alcoholics Anonymous
Area 18 Answering Service
208.344.6611

Narcotics Anonymous
818.773.9999

24/7 Alcoholics Hotline
877.959.4057

Northwest Nazarene University will impose disciplinary sanctions on students and employees (consistent with local, state and federal law). A disciplinary sanction may include the completion of an appropriate rehabilitation program and up to and including suspension, expulsion or termination. In addition to the institutional sanctions that may be imposed, those in violation may also expect to incur legal sanctions consistent with local, state and federal law.

References:

Inaba, D. S. & Cohen, W. E. (2007). Uppers, downers, and all arounders: Physical, and mental effects of psychoactive drugs (6th ed.). Medford, OR: CNS Productions. Kuhn, C., Swartzwelder, S., & Wilson, W. (2014). Buzzed: The straight facts about the most used and abused drugs from alcohol to ecstasy (4th ed). New York, NY: WW Norton & Company. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2017). Drug facts. Retrieved from https://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts Phoenix House. (2017).

Health Services is dedicated to a healthy campus environment; current health information and immunizations are a vital part of that goal. An Immunization Record and Document of Informed Choice is required of all students.

For questions regarding the Immunization Policy or necessary documents, please contact the Wellness Center at 208.467.8466 or wellnesscenter@nnu.edu.

Purpose
To define the parameters of meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as it relates to all institutional and federal aid eligibility.

Scope
This policy applies to all forms of institutional and federal aid for undergraduate students. State aid will be monitored and enforced by the State Board of Education.

Guidelines
Continued eligibility for student financial aid requires the student to be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). By federal law and regulations, college policies for measuring SAP must not only consider the grades earned by the student, but also the pace of progress toward a degree. The following standards have been adopted to monitor progress.

NNU’s policy is to review a student’s Satisfactory Academic Progress at the completion of each payment period (semester), including at the end of summer term if the student attends the summer term. NNU reviews both qualitative (grade based) and quantitative (time based) standards. This review includes first time freshmen. All students who are not meeting SAP guidelines will be notified of their SAP status within one week after final grades are received. Non-receipt of notification will not change this status.

All undergraduate students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 1.75 while classified as a freshman (or the first two semesters of college attendance after high school) and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 (average grade of C) when classified as a sophomore or above. The grade point requirement applies to both institutional and federal aid.

• Remedial coursework is assessed to determine a student is making academic progress.
• Only the final grade for repeated courses are counted in the student’s cumulative GPA for SAP.
• The GPA from credits transferred to NNU or concurrent credits taken prior to NNU enrollment are not calculated in the qualitative progress for this policy.
• Transfer students admitted to NNU with a cumulative GPA below 2.0 will not have to appeal SAP upon admission.
• NNU cumulative GPA will be considered in determining SAP for transfer and re-admit students after completion of their first semester.

All undergraduate students in all grade classifications must maintain a minimum pace of completing 67% of the attempted credits. Pace is calculated by dividing the total number of hours the student has successfully completed by the total number of credit hours that have been attempted. Only passing grades count as successful completion.

Pace = completed credits/attempted credits. Standard rounding rules will be applied in calculating the 67%, i.e. 66.5% or higher will be considered as meeting this standard.

• Incomplete, in-progress, failing grades and withdrawals are not considered completed courses, but are considered as attempted courses for purposes of the 67% completion requirement.
• All cumulative attempted hours including those for remedial coursework are counted whether or not the student received aid for them or not.
• Repeated courses count as attempted for Quantitative SAP calculation with only the final being counted toward completed.
• Transfer hours accepted by the NNU Registrar, count toward both credits attempted and completed.
• Concurrent /dual credit hours received from NNU also count toward both credits attempted and completed.

The Pace portion of Satisfactory Academic Progress also monitors if the student is on track to graduate within the maximum timeframe for the degree program. The maximum timeframe per federal regulations is 150% of the normal timeframe or 186 credits. (124 undergraduate credits x 150%). A student is ineligible for federal student aid when it becomes mathematically impossible for him to complete his program within 150% of the length of the undergraduate program. Students who change majors repeatedly often encounter the maximum timeframe restrictions, especially if few of their previous classes count toward the new major.

University and federal aid eligibility for repeat courses follow Federal guidelines. Students can receive aid for repeat courses in which they want to improve a passing grade only once. A passing grade for this purpose means any grade higher than an “F,” regardless of any school or program policy requiring a higher qualitative grade or measure to have passed the course. Students can continue to receive aid for repeat courses which they have previously failed until a passing grade is received.

The Office of Financial Aid verifies each student’s enrollment in the required number of credits for the aid they are receiving before funds are credited to the student’s account.

Students will be notified of any change to their SAP Status via email (to their NNU email account).

Warning Status – Student continues to receive financial aid:

The first semester the student does not have the required GPA or is not maintaining the required pace, a student is placed on a warning status. Students in a warning status will continue to receive federal aid for one semester without completing an appeal. The warning status serves as an opportunity for the financial aid office to ensure the student understands the severity and possible consequences of continued SAP issues and to explain whether GPA (Qualitative) or Pace (Quantitative) compliance was violated. A student can have more than one warning period, but not consecutively, up to a maximum of 3 warnings. Also, a student can be on a warning period even if they are not receiving any federal financial aid.

Suspension Status – Student loses financial aid unless they successfully appeal:

Students will move to a financial aid suspension after a warning semester if they continue to not meet one or all of the SAP guidelines. Financial aid suspension is a semester in which the student loses university and federal aid eligibility. The student can regain university and federal aid eligibility once they meet reinstatement requirements noted below.

Example:
A first time freshman who does not meet the SAP requirements at the end of their Fall semester will be placed on a SAP warning status. The financial aid office will contact the student to explain what aspect of the financial aid SAP policy they have not complied with and to explain the consequences of continued SAP problems.

This student will continue to receive full financial aid for Spring semester of their Freshmen year while they are in a warning status. If this student again fails to meet SAP compliance requirements during spring semester they will automatically be in suspension status and not eligible to receive federal student aid for the Fall semester of their Sophomore year. In suspension status the student is not eligible to receive federal or institutional aid. See “Choices in Suspension” section below.

A student who is ineligible for institutional and federal financial aid due to reaching suspension status has the following choices:

• Submit an appeal that explains the unusual or unforeseen circumstances that attributed to the suspension. See “Appeals Process” section below.
• Continue to attend Northwest Nazarene University without institutional and federal financial aid until they can reach both:
  • A cumulative 2.0 GPA.
  • A 67% cumulative and semester completion rate.
• Attend another regionally accredited college until they are able to achieve both:
  • A cumulative 2.0 GPA.
  • A 67% cumulative and semester completion rate. (NNU and other college combined)

NOTE: Not enrolling in the subsequent semester (at NNU or another college) after a warning or suspension status is determined, does not change this status should the student return.

Students have the option to appeal a financial aid suspension on the basis of unusual or unforeseen circumstances which occurred within the semester which have contributed to the suspension status. Circumstances that warrant an appeal include situations such as major sickness, injury, a death in the family or other life changing event. The appeal must explain why the student failed to make satisfactory progress and what has changed to allow the student to make satisfactory progress at the next evaluation. The maximum number of appeals a student can submit is three.

All appeals must be in writing. The financial aid SAP appeal form is available in the Office of Financial Aid. Students who are in suspension status and have not submitted an appeal will be denied university and federal financial aid for that semester.

The appeal will be reviewed for acceptance or denial by the SAP Appeals Committee consists of 3-5 members, including the Director of Financial Aid, the Controller, the Student Account Services manager and a Center for Academic Success and Advising (CASA) representative. The Director of CASA will give input to the committee and facilitate documentation requirements, but will not be a voting member, except in the case of a tie vote by the other four members. Submitting an appeal does not guarantee approval and the decision of the SAP Appeals Committee is final.

Appeal Approved:

If the appeal is approved, a student’s university and federal financial aid eligibility will be reinstated for one semester and the student is considered to be in a probation status. During probation, a student must continue to meet the SAP guidelines in order to retain institutional and federal financial aid eligibility. A probation status is for one payment period only.

Appeal Denied:

If the appeal is denied the student becomes ineligible to receive either institutional or federal financial aid until they are able to achieve both a cumulative 2.0 GPA and a 67% cumulative and semester completion rate either from NNU or from another university (NNU and other college combined).

The student is responsible for all semester charges incurred in semesters when university and federal financial aid is denied. During probation, a student must meet the SAP guidelines in order to retain aid eligibility. Failure to meet these guidelines will be cause for suspension.

If a student has a GPA so low that it is mathematically impossible within one semester to pull the cumulative GPA up to a 2.0 with reasonable grade expectations the NNU Appeals Committee has the discretion to reinstate institutional and federal financial aid based on an academic plan. The academic plan will be designed by the Director of Financial Aid The Academic Plan will allow the student to bring their cumulative GPA back to a 2.0 over more than one semester and will have a defined end date. As long as the student continues to meet the requirements of the individualized academic plan each semester or reaches the required SAP standard cumulative GPA, the student will remain eligible for institutional and federal financial aid.