Financial Aid Options

We understand that you may need financial help to get through college, and everyone benefits from a budget boost. The education you’ll receive is well worth the expense and hard work, and we will show you where to look for the aid you need to succeed. Grants, scholarships, student employment, and loans are widely available options that can provide you financial assistance. Our expert team will guide you to the best solutions to offset your tuition, fees, and living expenses while studying, and plan proactively to keep any post-graduation debt realistic and manageable.

GRANTS

Grants are awarded to students based on financial need, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and usually do not need to be repaid. Grants may be used to pay for tuition and fees, books and supplies, transportation and other expenses related to attending college. The following grant programs are currently available to eligible NSC students.

• Federal Pell Grant | This grant is available to students pursuing their first bachelor's degree at Nevada State College who demonstrate a high level of need according to the results of the FAFSA. The amount awarded for each semester depends on a student's financial need, costs to attend school, and number of credits taken. Students may receive a Pell Grant for up to two full-time semesters per academic year, with a lifetime maximum of 12 full-time semesters.
• Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant | The FSEOG program provides need-based grants to help low-income undergraduate students finance the costs of postsecondary education. When making FSEOG awards, the institution must give priority to those students with exceptional need (those with the lowest Expected Family Contributions (EFC) at the institution) and those who are also Federal Pell Grant recipients.
• Silver State Opportunity Grant Program | The SSOG Program was established by the Nevada Legislature in 2015 to provide grants to eligible low-income students who are college-ready to assist with funding a portion of the cost of attending a community or state college within the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE). Limited funds are awarded to students enrolled in 15 or more financial aid-eligible credits† in a semester on a first-come, first-served basis according to a formula established by the NSHE Board of Regents. Students should complete the FAFSA in order to be considered for this award.
• Nevada State Access Grant | Funded from both state and institutional sources, these grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to students demonstrating a high level of need based on their FAFSA application. Award amounts are based both on a student's EFC and number of credits taken in a term. The priority deadline is January 15, 2017 to be considered for the 2017/18 academic year.
• Nevada State College Grant | This institutionally-funded grant is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to students who, although otherwise eligible to receive federal student aid, are ineligible to receive the Federal Pell Grant, but still demonstrate a high level of need according to their FAFSA applications. Award amounts are based both on a student's EFC and number of credits taken in a term. The priority deadline is January 15, 2017 to be considered for the 2017/18 academic year.

Nevada State Opportunity Grant | This institutionally-funded grant is awarded to Nevada-resident students not eligible to apply for any type of federal student aid, but who demonstrate a high level of need according to their FAFSA applications. Award amounts are based both on a student's EFC and number of credits taken in a term.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholarships are a great way you can garner financial support for your educational pursuits. Each year, the Nevada State College Foundation awards a number of scholarships made possible through donations to the college. Like a grant, they also are typically not repaid, and can be renewable for more than one term depending on your academic performance. Additionally, many Nevada State students receive scholarships from sources outside of the college, just be sure to check the legitimacy of the programs before applying. Visit our scholarships page for more details!

STUDENT EMPLOYMENT

Working on campus is a fantastic way to make college more affordable, while gaining real-world work experience to complement your studies. Nevada State’s Student Employment Program provides opportunities for eligible students to work part-time both on campus and out in the community. In order to be considered for one of these positions, you need to complete the FAFSA, then apply for open student positions through nscjobs.com. In order to qualify, you must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student in the current or upcoming term, maintain a cumulative Nevada State GPA of 2.0 or above, and be eligible for employment in the United States. If hired, you won’t be able to exceed more than 19.5 hours of work per week and you’ll be paid twice per month. Funding is provided by both the college and the Federal Work-Study program.

FEDERAL DIRECT LOANS

When you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at fafsa.gov, you may be offered Federal Direct Loans as a part of your award offer package. Loans are funds you borrow now so you can pay your immediate costs, and must repay in full, with interest, to the U.S. Department of Education beginning six months after you graduate, or stop attending school at least half-time. We offer free financial literacy courses to help you project and organize your debt responsibly so it will fuel your future, not burden it.

VA BENEFITS

The Veterans Administration is authorized by law to provide a wide range of benefits to those who have served their country in the Armed Forces and to their dependents. You may be eligible for some of the benefits while attending Nevada State College:

CHAPTER 30 CATEGORY I: MONTGOMERY GI BILL

• You first entered active duty on or after July 1, 1985 and contributed $1,200 to the Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty Educational Assistance Program. You earned an honorable discharge at some time in your military career and your final discharge was no more than 10 years ago or you are currently on active duty. Some service members originally entitled to Chapter 32 benefits accepted the offer to convert to this category of benefits.
• For more information: https://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/montgomery_gibill/active_duty.html

CHAPTER 30 CATEGORY II: MONTGOMERY GI BILL

• You first entered active duty or went delayed enlistment, prior to January 1, 1977. You earned an honorable discharge at some time in your military career and your final discharge was no more than 10 years ago or you are currently on active duty.
• For more information: http://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/montgomery_gibill/active_duty.html 

CHAPTER 31: VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION & EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM

• You are making a claim for educational benefits under the VA Vocational Rehabilitation Program based on the belief that you have a service-connected disability.
• For more information: http://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/montgomery_gibill/active_duty.html

CHAPTER 33: POST 9/11 GI BILL

• You first entered active duty after September 10, 2001. If you served at least 90 aggregate days while on active duty, you may be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI-Bill.
• For more information: http://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/montgomery_gibill/active_duty.html

CHAPTER 35: DEPENDENT EDUCATION ASSISTANCE

• You are the surviving spouse or dependent of a veteran or serviceperson who: (1) died or is permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability. The disability must arise out of active service in the Armed Forces; or (2) died from any cause while such a service-connected disability was in existence; or (3) is missing in action or captured in the line of duty by hostile forces, or (4) is forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign government of power.
• For more information: http://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/montgomery_gibill/active_duty.html

CHAPTER 1606: SELECTED RESERVE MONTGOMERY GI BILL

• You are currently actively serving in a component of the Selected Reserve (Reserve or National Guard).
• For more information: http://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/montgomery_gibill/active_duty.html

CHAPTER 1607: RESERVE EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (REAP)

• Chapter 1607, makes certain individuals who were activated after 09/11/2001 either eligible for education benefits or eligible for increased benefits. The Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and VA are working on an implementation plan for this new benefit.
• For more information: http://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/other_programs/reap.html.

Avoid delays in receiving your VA benefits by following the Veterans Enrollment Certification Checklist.

TUITION ASSISTANCE

• Air Force www.my.af.mil/faf/FAF/fafHome.jsp
• Army www.goarmyed.com/public/public_tuition_assistance_policies.

FINANCIAL AID FORMS AND DOCUMENTS

For financial aid forms and documents, please click here.

FINANCIAL AID POLICIES

For more information on financial aid policies, please visit: https://nsc.edu/college-policies/

Still have questions? Visit our Financial Aid FAQs!

PRIVATE LOANS

If you are unable to borrow Federal Direct Loans, you may be able to obtain a credit-based loan from a private student loan lender. Because these loans are not regulated by the U.S. Department of Education, it is up to you to research and understand the terms for borrowing and repayment. We’ve partnered with FASTChoice to provide you with a list of lenders that Nevada State students have borrowed from in the past, along with the ability to compare the terms of these loans.