Paying for College

A college education is an investment in your future. Like any investment, it’s important to fully understand the cost, benefits and financing options available to you. The NSCC Financial Aid Office is here to help guide you through the process of paying for college, helping to match you with funding programs based on your eligibility and needs.

person using laptop

Tuition & Fees

How Much Will It Cost?

The value of a college education is priceless in today’s world. At Northwest State, you can earn that college degree at a significantly lower cost than you would pay at a four-year college or university.
CREDIT HOURS IN-STATE OUT-OF-STATE Effective Spring 2025
HOURS TUITION TUITION CAREER SERVICE FEE
1 197.33 388.66 8.50
2 394.66 777.32 17.00
3 591.99 1,165.98 25.50
4 789.32 1,554.64 34.00
5 986.65 1,943.30 42.50
6 1,183.98 2,331.96 51.00
7 1,381.31 2,720.62 59.50
8 1,578.64 3,109.28 68.00
9 1,775.97 3,497.94 76.50
10 1,973.30 3,886.60 85.00
11 2,170.63 4,275.26 93.50
12 2,367.96 4,663.92 102.00
13 2,565.29 5,052.58 110.50
14 2,762.62 5,441.24 119.00
15 2,959.95 5,829.90 127.50
16 3,157.28 6,218.56 136.00
17 3,354.61 6,607.22 144.50
18 3,551.94 6,995.88 153.00
19 3,749.27 7,384.54 161.50
20 3,946.60 7,773.20 170.00

Above tuition rates are effective beginning with Spring 2025 semester. The average full-time student will take 12-15 credit hours per semester. Download a complete list of 2024-2025 lab fees or view the Tuition and Student Fee Schedule for more information.

Student Fees – Spring 2025

Academic Fresh Start/application per course
$10
Academic Fresh Start/transcript placement fee per course
$20
Career Advantage Fee (one-time fee for new students)
$75
Credit by Documentation (includes portfolio evaluation)
$45 - $262
Distance Learning
$25
Facility fee (off-campus)
$21 - $196
Dean’s Leadership Cluster Domestic Travel Fees
$0 - $1500
Dean’s Leadership Cluster International Cluster Fees
$0 - $3000
Fingerprinting – BCI
$29
Fingerprinting – FBI
$33
Tuition & Fee Installment Plan
$20
Late Payment Fee
$50
Locker Rental - Fall and Spring
$10
Locker Rental - Fall or Spring
$8
Locker Rental - Summer
$5
Medical Fresh Start Petition Fee
$20
NSF Check Fee
$20
Nrs. Acceptance Deposit Fee
$100
Placement Score Transfer Fee
$10
Proficiency Examination Fee
$45 - $262
Retesting Placement Test Fee
$20
Replace Diploma only
$5
Replace Diploma with Cover
$20
Student Fee
$41
Student ID Replacement Fee
$10

FAFSA

The first step toward applying financial aid is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This will determine your eligibility for various scholarships, grants and loans. *NSCC Title IV code needed for completing the FAFSA is 008677.

Visit the Financial Aid Office

The Financial Aid Office at NSCC can answer all of your questions regarding financial aid options. Take advantage of their friendly service and find out how easy it is to apply for financial aid.

Senior Citizen Discount

Any person who is 60 years of age or older, and who has resided in the state for at least one year, shall be permitted to enroll in classes without instructional charge, provided such attendance is on a credit basis and classroom space is available. Your instructional and general fees will be waived, but you are still responsible for any lab fees, student fees, books and any required materials. The fee waiver will be applied to tuition only after all other grants and scholarships are used. Students need to pay for all other fees by the scheduled due date to avoid a late fee charge.

Complete the “Senior Citizen Fee Waiver” form in the Business Office and bring your driver’s license or Golden Buckeye Card (You will need to do this each semester you register for a class)

Military Services

Utilize these links for financial aid options for military veterans and active duty military, as well as their spouse/dependents.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at benefits.va.gov.

Learn more about Veterans Services

Payment Options

Cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and debit cards are all accepted forms of payment.

Tuition and Installment Plan

The Tuition & Fee Installment Plan is an alternative to the single payment of fees due at the beginning of each semester. For a $20 non-refundable service fee, participants pay their fees in two installments for summer semester and three installments for fall and spring semesters. The student initiates the plan IN PERSON in the business office (C130) during the dates scheduled for the first payment. Please note, this plan is only available through the first week of the semester.

Company Sponsored Deferment Plan

The company sponsored deferment plan is available to students whose company will reimburse them based on a specific grade at the completion of the semester. In order to participate in this program, students must complete a deferment plan form, which requires a signature from the company in order to be eligible. This form is also available in the business office in C130.

Senior Citizen Discount

Any person who is 60 or older, and who has resided in the state for at least one year, shall be permitted to enroll in classes without instructional charge, provided such attendance is on a credit basis and classroom space is available. Your instructional and general fees will be waived, but you are still responsible for any lab fees, student fees, books and any required materials. The fee waiver will be applied to tuition only after all other grants and scholarships are used. Students need to pay for all other fees by the scheduled due date to avoid a late fee charge. Visit the NSCC Business Office with your driver’s license or Golden Buckeye Card and complete the senior citizen fee waiver form. You will need to do this each semester you register for a class.

Scholarships

Scholarships are free gifts that do not need to be repaid. These awards are made on the basis of academic achievement, financial need or a combination of the two. Learn more about how and where to apply.

Grants

A grant is a gift of money that does not have to be repaid. They are based upon financial need, and the result of your FAFSA will determine if you are eligible to receive any grants from federal or state programs.

Student Employment

The mission of the Federal Work Study (FWS) program is to provide financial assistance to students through employment opportunities while also promoting student engagement in campus life.

Campus Work Program Eligibility

  • Must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine Federal Work Study eligibility
  • Must have and maintain a 2.0 GPA
  • Must be enrolled in 6 credit hours (fall and spring) and 3 credit hours (summer)
  • Must meet Student Academic Progress (SAP) requirements

Campus Work Program Eligibility

Federal Work Study

  • Provides jobs to students who have applied for Work Study
  • This is federally funded student aid for those who demonstrate financial need
  • Limited funding source
  • These positions can be both on and off campus
    Required to spend 7% on community service employment

Community Service

  • Provides off-campus jobs working for not-for-profit agencies which provide services to help improve the quality of life in the community
  • These positions are federally funded through Federal Work Study funds awarded to the College
  • The student must apply for federal student aid and demonstrate financial need
  • These positions are off campus
  • At least one student must be employed in a position providing reading and/or math tutoring to elementary students

Campus Work (Non-Federal Work Study)

  • Funded by individual NSCC, departmental budgets
  • Students who are enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours)
  • These positions are on campus – explore open positions

Student Refunds

What if I don't make a selection?

Although you might not be expecting a student refund now, you may receive money back in the future because you drop a class, make an over payment or receive assistance that you didn’t expect. Making a selection now will ensure you will receive any future refunds without delay.

How do I select the way I want to receive my refund?

Our school delivers your refund with BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc. See the link below for more information.

I selected my refund preference, but I never received my refund. Why?

All students are invited to select their refund preference, but not all students receive a refund every semester. First, check to make sure you are due a refund by checking your account details in myNSCC. If your myNSCC account shows that you are due a refund and you have not received it, contact BankMobile Disbursements support.

What is the difference between disbursement date and refund date?

The disbursement date you receive from the Department of Education is the date the funds are disbursed to the school. The school will verify and apply the funds to your student account. This process takes up to 7 business days. After this is completed, any excess funds on your student account are then processed to be refunded on the posted refund date.

Why did I not receive all of my financial aid money?

Financial aid pays based upon the number of credit hours a student is attending. If you are registered for a course that has not started yet, not all of your financial aid will pay until after you have started attending these classes. Secondly, if you take out a loan for one semester only (for example, spring only), federal regulations require that the loan be split into two separate disbursements.

Where can I find information on the College's contract with the third party service provider?

View our contract