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Instructional Leadership, emphasis: K-12 School Leadership (MEd)
Students outside on the N A U campus.
  1. NAU
  2. OSFA
  3. Types of aid
  4. Student loans

Student loans

Types, sources, and deadlines

A loan is money you borrow to pay for your education and then pay back, usually with interest. Once you complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you’ll usually be offered loans in your LOUIE student account.

Loan sources

Loans are either offered by the federal government (called federal student loans) or by private sources such as banks or credit unions. Federal student loans usually come with lower interest rates and more flexibility in repayment than private loans. We generally recommend sticking to federal student loans as the first and best option. With all loans, be sure you read and understand the terms and conditions of the loan, such as interest rates and repayment expectations.

Accept, decline, or reduce your loans

You can accept, decline, or reduce the amount of your loans by visiting the financial aid section of your LOUIE student account.

  1. Log in to .
  2. Go to the “Student Home” page.
  3. Select “Financial Aid.”
  4. On the left side of the screen, make sure the correct aid year is selected. If it’s not, click the “Change” button and select the correct aid year.
  5. Click “Accept/Decline” from the menu on the left.

Loan deadlines

View our dates and deadlines for a complete list of all scholarship and loan deadlines.

Dates and deadlines

Loan types

A group of students sitting on steps and talking.

Federal Direct Student Loans

Direct loans come from the federal government and are intended to help undergraduate students paying for college. This is the most common student loan type.

Federal PLUS loans

Federal PLUS loans come from the federal government and are intended for graduate students as well as parents of dependent undergraduate students.

Private alternative loans

Private loans come from financial institutions such as banks or credit unions and often have higher interest rates or less flexible repayment options.

Federal nursing loans

A limited amount of targeted federal nursing loans are available to students in NAU’s nursing program.

Single-semester financial aid and loans

If you are only attending college for a single semester (or will graduate after a single semester), your single-semester financial aid will be adjusted accordingly.

Contact us

Two students at the Honors building.

We’re here to help you better understand your student loan options. Get in touch with us to learn more!

All Title IV loans (subsidized, unsubsidized, PLUS) will be submitted to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) and will be accessible by guaranty agencies, lenders, and institutions determined to be authorized users of the data system. Students view and manage their account regularly through  to track their loan amounts. 

Virtual Advisor