Fees, Expenses, Financial Aid

Paying for College

Full payment of tuition and fees is required by the payment due date posted in RaiderNet. Payment may be made in person for cash or check at any of our campus/center locations. Payment via e-check (ACH), MasterCard, Visa, American Express, or Discover credit cards is available online through the student’s RaiderNet account. Students who have not paid their account balance in full by the payment due date will be dropped from their classes. The College may grant deferments as specifically defined by Florida Statutes. Payment may be made in person for cash or check at any of our campus/center locations. Payment via e-check (ACH), MasterCard, Visa, American Express, or Discover credit cards is available online through the student’s RaiderNet account. Students who have not paid their account balance in full by the payment due date will be dropped from their classes. The College may grant deferments as specifically defined by Florida Statutes.

Fees

These fees are subject to change by the Florida Legislature and the Board of Trustees based on the June 2023 Board Meeting. Current fees are available from the College Business Office and are published in the class schedule. These fees apply whenever applicable, except: (1) for courses in which complimentary instructional services or equivalent program costs are provided by appropriate persons, agencies or organizations; or (2) when specifically waived by the Board of Trustees. Active Duty Military residing in this state and their dependents are eligible to pay in-state tuition rate. The Active Duty Service Member and/or their dependent must complete the Declaration of the Florida Residency to receive this benefit. The College’s full residency policy can be found in the Florida Residency for Tuition Purposes section of the Catalog’s Admissions page. The fees listed below are for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Fees Subject to Change by Action of the Florida Legislature and the NWFSC Board of Trustees without notice. 

^{*Mandatory Fees represent financial aid, student activity, capital improvement, and technology fees as per Florida Statute 1009.23.}

Laboratory and Special Tuition Fees exist to cover unique costs related to a given course. The amount is determined course-by-course and is based on the instructional costs for each. A fee schedule is on file in the Business Office and is printed in the class schedule each session.

Full Cost of Instruction for Third Attempt

Per Florida Statute 1009.285, after the second attempt in any college-credit or developmental course, a student will be required to pay the full cost of instruction (the out-of-state rate; approximately four times the usual matriculation fees) to repeat the course. A student may petition to have the out-of-state portion waived based on documented extenuating circumstances (i.e., situations that are outside of the student’s control and prevented the student from successfully completing the course during the prior attempts such as illness, death of an immediate family member, call to military duty, etc.) by submitting the Request for Exception: Business Office form. Please see the official appeal form for specific guidelines and criteria. Students needing assistance with this form should contact a Student Success Navigator at studentsuccess@nwfsc.edu or (850) 502-2895.

RaiderCards

The RaiderCard is a student identification card that is issued to college credit students after tuition fees are paid. There is a $15 fee per term.

The RaiderCard provides access to the College Learning Resource center and free admission to NWFSC athletic events and certain cultural events offered by the college. RaiderCards are re-activated each time a student re-enrolls.

Other Fees and Charges

* Student Access Fee is required of all college credit students.

Course Fees

In accordance with Florida Statute 1009.23 (12)(a), course and lab fees are adjusted each year upon board approval. These fees cover expenses unique to course offerings such as laboratory fees, standardized testing fees, and other direct course level expenditures. To view course and lab fees, visit NWFSC Search.

Parking Fines

Parking permits are not required for students or visitors that park in white or green lined spaces at all NWFSC Campus and Center locations. All faculty/staff vehicle operators must display a parking permit on their vehicle when parking in designated parking areas. Parking regulation details are located here. Violating NWFSC’s parking regulations may result in parking fines being assessed or the vehicle being towed.

Fines and Debts to the College

All unpaid debts, including Federal Guaranteed Student Loans, with NWFSC will result in fines being assessed or the withholding of transcripts, diplomas, certificates, and other official documents. Students will be prohibited from enrolling until all debts are paid in full. Students may be subject to liabilities for collection costs including attorney’s fees.

Cost Summary

The range of basic charges for a typical full-time college-credit tuition non-baccalaureate student, per year, registered for 15 credit hours per term for two terms are noted below. Lab fees, food, housing, and travel costs depend upon the individual student’s circumstances.

Student Tuition Payment Plan

A student tuition payment plan is available on the college website through the NelNet Tuition Installment Program. NWFSC will hold academic transcripts and refuse re-enrollment to any student who is delinquent on their agreement from any preceding semester until all amounts owed on prior agreements are paid or the student is released by NelNet. Please refer to the NWFSC website for additional information or to apply for this service.

Military Assistance

Active-duty military personnel who enroll in college-credit programs through base education offices may be eligible for financial assistance. The college has Military Assistance Agreements in effect with both Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field. Students using Military Tuition Assistance should receive approval from the Education Service Officer, military counselor, or the Service prior to enrollment.

In compliance with our Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Defense, DoD Instruction 1322.25, and NWFSC Board of Trustee Policy (SS 7.00), Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is awarded to a student under the assumption that the student will attend school for the entire period for which the assistance is awarded. When a student withdraws, the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of TA funds originally awarded.

To comply with the new Department of Defense policy, Northwest Florida State College will return any unearned TA funds on a prorated basis through at least the 60% portion of the period for which the funds were provided. TA funds are earned proportionally during an enrollment period, with unearned funds returned based upon when a student stops attending. These funds are returned to the military Service branch.

In instances when a Service member stops attending due to a military service obligation, the College will work with the affected Service member to identify solutions that will not result in student debt for the returned portion.

In compliance with the Board of Trustee Policy (BS 18.00), the following academic programs are eligible for fee waivers for students using Military Tuition Assistance: Programs eligible for Military Fee Waivers .

Money-back Guarantee Program 

Graduates of the following programs may be eligible to receive a refund of tuition costs for required program courses if they are not able to find a job in the field in which they were trained within six months of successful completion of the program.  

Programs that are included in this guarantee: 

• Nursing (AS) 
• Radiography (AS) 
• Paramedic (CCC) 

Before an application for the guarantee is considered, graduates must meet the following eligibility criteria: 

Refund Policy

Students will receive a full refund for classes that are canceled by the College. A student can choose to enroll in other classes to which tuition and fees may be credited.

Students who drop a course by the schedule adjustment (drop/add) deadline will receive a full refund of tuition and fees for that course. The schedule adjustment (drop/add) deadline is published annually on the Academic Calendar. Students who would like to request a refund after the schedule adjustment (drop/add) deadline must submit the Request for Exception: Business Office form. Refunds are only considered for documented extenuating circumstances (i.e., situations that are outside of the student’s control such as illness, death of an immediate family member, call to military duty, etc.). Refunds are NOT approved based on changes in work schedules or for enrollment status changes due to illegal activities. The Request for Exception: Business Office must be submitted by the last day of the semester for which a refund is requested as published in the Academic Calendar (the last day of the semester is identified as the Last Day of Term for Students for Session 1). For example, a student seeking a refund for a Fall 2023 course must submit the appeal no later than the Last Day of Term for Students deadline listed for Session 1 on the Fall 2023 Academic Calendar. See the official appeal form for specific guidelines and criteria. Students needing assistance with this form should contact a Student Success Navigator at studentsuccess@nwfsc.edu or (850) 502-2895.

Refunds less than $1.00 will be paid in cash at the Business Office located on the Niceville Campus.

Dishonored Check Policy

Checks returned by the bank will be processed as follows:

1. The student will be notified by certified mail that their check was dishonored by the bank. A $25 return check charge will be applied to the student’s account.

2. The student will have seven (7) calendar days to pay for the check and the return check charge. Payment must be in the form of cash or certified funds. If any portion of the dishonored check funds includes payment of tuition and fees, failure to make the payment will result in cancellation of enrollment.
3. Reinstatement after enrollment cancellation will be considered only after full payment which will include an additional $25 reinstatement fee.
4. The student’s record at NWFSC will reflect the obligation as an outstanding debt which will result in the withholding of transcripts, diplomas, certificates, and other official documents. Students will also be prohibited from enrolling until all debts are paid in full.
5. Students who have written two or more checks with insufficient funds will be subject to disciplinary action even though their checks have been paid. The college will also suspend their check writing privileges and may report to other colleges and credit reporting agencies.

The college will forward unpaid dishonored checks, returned check charges, and related information about the student to a collection agency within 35 days.

Financial Aid

The Office of Financial Planning and Scholarships at Northwest Florida State College strives to remove financial barriers; to promote the success of a diverse student body; and to increase opportunities for access in higher education. We seek to contribute to a premier experience for students, faculty, and staff by providing timely communication and by delivering courteous and efficient financial services while complying with all federal, state, and college policies.

Financial assistance administered by NWFSC does not discriminate on the basis of color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, pregnancy, or marital status. Specific criteria and academic standing information may be required for particular assistance and/or scholarships.

Financial Aid Administered by Northwest Florida State College

Federal Aid: Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Work Study Program (FWS), Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant (IASG), and Student Loans

State Aid: Bright Futures, Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG), First Generation Match Grant, and Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans

Institutional Scholarships: Awarded by NWFSC, a list can be found on the college website at https://www.nwfsc.edu/students/financialaid/scholarships/

Deadlines

A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed for each academic year and one FAFSA serves throughout that entire academic year (Fall through Summer). The FAFSA becomes available each October for the following academic year (Fall term), and you should apply as early as possible because many financial aid programs have limited funding that will go only to early applicants.

Financial Aid Priority Deadline

To have your financial aid processed in time for your registration fees to be paid by financial aid, you must complete all steps in the application process by the Financial Aid Priority Deadline:

• July 1 for Fall Term
• November 1 for Spring Term
• April 1 for Summer Term

Late Applicants

If you miss the Financial Aid Priority Deadline for the term in which you wish to enroll, you still are strongly encouraged to apply for financial aid. Your application will be accepted and processed; however, it may not be processed in time for you to use your financial aid to pay for your fees and books. If this is the case, you will need to pay your tuition and purchase your books; then, if you qualify for financial aid, a refund will be issued to you later in the term. You can seek help with paying your tuition through the NelNet Tuition Payment Plan. Further information about this plan can be found on RaiderNet under the “Pay Fees” tab or by contacting the Business Office at (850) 729-5385.

Applications for federal financial aid should be made well in advance of registration by submitting the FAFSA.

Application Instructions

You must apply for financial aid each academic year.

1. Be a degree-seeking student at NWFSC or be a certificate-seeking student in an eligible program and take courses that are required for that degree or certificate. (Some certificates, due to required program length, are not eligible for Federal Financial Aid. Please see a Student Success Navigator if you have questions regarding your program)
2. Provide the Admissions/Records Office with an official final copy of your high school transcript or GED score report, or, if you are a college transfer student, provide an official copy of your transcript from each institution you have attended. Transfer course work must be evaluated before an award can be made.
3. Complete the FAFSA. NWFSC’s school code number is “001510.”
   • https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa (Allow at least two weeks for processing.)
4. Research. Check the Scholarship link on our website at https://www.nwfsc.edu/students/financialaid/scholarships/

General Eligibility

Federal Programs

For a student to be eligible for federal financial aid at NWFSC, a student must:

• Be accepted for enrollment in an approved program of study, have a high school diploma, a high school equivalency diploma, or be able to demonstrate ability to benefit (ATB) by receiving qualifying scores on an ATB test (see table below), and pass a minimum of 6 credit hours or 225 clock hours of applicable course work.
• Be a U.S. citizen, or an eligible non-citizen
• Not owe a refund or repayment on a federal grant at any institution
• Not be in default on a federally-funded or insured student loan
• Enrollment must be in courses required for your degree or certificate
• Not have been convicted for sale or possession of illegal drugs while receiving Title IV funds
• If a college transfer student, have an official transcript from each previously attended institution submitted to, and evaluated by, NWFSC
• Must maintain satisfactory academic progress standards

State of Florida Programs

For a student to be eligible for State of Florida financial aid (i.e. FSAG, FSAG-CE) at the college, a student must:

• Have demonstrated a financial need (complete the FAFSA application)
• Have met the advertised deadline
• Have been a resident of Florida for one year or be classified as a Florida resident by the Registrar’s Office
• Be degree-seeking in an approved program of study
• Have a 2.0 or higher grade point average (GPA) on all previous college work
• Have earned credit hours equivalent to his/her enrollment status during each term of the prior academic year in which state aid was received, (12 credit hours or 360 vocational hours for each term of full-time enrollment, 9 credit hours or 270 vocational hours for each term of three-quarter-time enrollment and 6 credit hours or 180 vocational hours for each term of half-time enrollment)
• A student who is not enrolled full-time will be offered a part-time award. Part-time awards will be prorated according to enrollment status. Funds will be offered until the limited funds are exhausted.

Verification

The federal government requires that some applications be reviewed for accuracy through a process called “verification.” If you are selected for this process, you will be required to provide additional documentation to our office for review. You will be notified through your student e-mail account, or by checking your RaiderNet account, which documents you will need to provide to complete your financial aid file. All documentation must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office within 30 days of notification. If you do not submit the requested information you may lose funds otherwise available to you.

Federal Eligibility Matches

The federal processor matches your name and social security number with a variety of federal agencies. Agency matches are performed against the files of the Social Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security, Selective Service and the National Student Loan Data System. If any discrepancies or questions about your information occur, you will be asked to provide additional documents or take additional action to confirm your eligibility for federal assistance.

Transfer Students

If you previously applied for federal financial aid at another institution and now want to apply for financial aid at NWFSC, you must update your current year FAFSA to include our federal school code (001510).

If you are a college transfer student seeking a degree or technical certificate, you must submit a complete official transcript from each college and university you have attended. Your financial aid eligibility cannot be determined until NWFSC has received and evaluated all of the transcripts for transfer credit.

Transient Students

If you are enrolled as a transient student, you are not eligible for financial aid through NWFSC.

Enrollment Status

The amount of federal financial aid a student is eligible to receive is dependent on the student’s enrollment status each term based on the following table. Credit hours are computed using all developmental and college credits in which the student is enrolled.

*To determine enrollment status other than full-time, as established by federal regulation, the number of clock hours the student is enrolled in is divided by the program length.

• Enrollment status (Full-time, Half-time, etc.) is based upon number of credit hours enrolled at the end of Drop/Add for Session 1 courses (census date). New student admission and FAFSA’s received after the enrollment status date will be updated at the time of completion.
• The amount of the award will not increase if students add a class after the advertised census date.
• To retain enrollment status, students must attend all of their classes. Attendance for distance learning courses is defined as attending an orientation; participating in the course, as defined by the instructor; submitting course assignments, as required, to the instructor; or initiating contact with the instructor.
• Failure to attend any enrolled course may lower the enrollment status and award amount once hours are reduced to account for non-attendance.

Courses Paid for by Financial Aid

Repeated Courses

Federal regulations limit the number of times a student may repeat a course and receive financial aid for that course.

• A student may receive aid when repeating a course that was previously failed (received a failing or unsatisfactory grade); regardless of the number of times the course was attempted and failed.
• A student may receive aid to repeat a previously passed course (grade of ‘D’ or higher) one additional time.
• Once a student has completed any course twice with a passing grade (grade of ‘D’ or higher), he/she is no longer eligible to receive aid for that course.
• This rule applies whether or not the student received aid for earlier enrollments in the course.
• Students will receive notification if they are aid applicants and attempt to repeat coursework beyond the limits.

Developmental Courses

NWFSC approves developmental courses for the use of financial aid and includes developmental courses where necessary when determining a student’s enrollment status. Admission placement testing requirements will determine if developmental courses are needed in a student’s degree program. Financial aid will pay for no more than 30 credit hours of developmental coursework.

Clock Hour Programs

Clock hour programs (Welding, Law Enforcement, and Fire Science/EMT) are not paid in semester hours like other programs offered at NWFSC.  Financial aid pays for the entire program, by payment periods and based upon the length of the program and completion of program hours. Program instructors are responsible for documenting the number of hours of participation, excused and unexcused hours of absence, and the student’s satisfactory academic progress during their weeks of attendance. Aid disbursements are based on this reported information. Prior to the second and all subsequent payments, the student’s hours completed and satisfactory academic progress will be verified.

Standards of Academic Progress (SAP)

Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements

To be eligible for financial aid, all students, including students transferring to NWFSC from another institution, must meet NWFSC’s standards of satisfactory academic progress for financial aid. Student academic progress is reviewed at the end of each term. A transferring student’s satisfactory progress will initially be determined from the student’s academic history at all previously attended institutions. Students who attended NWFSC in the past will be reviewed based on all previously attempted courses, regardless of how long ago they attended NWFSC, in accordance with federal guidelines.

Failure to meet one or more of the established standards of satisfactory progress will make a student ineligible for financial aid. Students who become ineligible for financial aid due to the failure to meet the SAP for financial aid will remain ineligible for financial aid until they meet the standards or are placed on an Academic Plan as a condition of their approved appeal. Satisfactory progress includes all previous academic history, even if the student did not receive financial aid.

Below are the standards of satisfactory progress for financial aid. These standards apply to all students.

SAP for Financial Aid Eligibility Federal regulations (34 CFR 668.34) require a student to move toward the completion of a degree or certificate within an eligible program when receiving financial aid. Specific requirements for academic progress for financial aid recipients may be applied differently than college Academic Standards, Warning, Probation, and Suspension. Federal regulations state that SAP must include a review of all periods of enrollment, regardless of whether or not aid was received. The student must meet all the minimum standards in order to receive financial aid.

There are three parts to the SAP rules:

1. You must maintain a 2.0 cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA). This is includes all course work you have taken at NWFSC or any college or university (this includes college level classes taken during high school), regardless of whether or not you received financial aid for those classes.

2. You must successfully complete at least 67% of all of the classes in which you have enrolled. This includes all the course work you have taken at NWFSC or any college or university (this includes dual enrollment classes), regardless of whether or not you received financial aid for those classes.

3. You must not attempt more than 150% of credits needed for the level of degree in which you are seeking. All coursework attempted is included in these totals.

Financial Aid Warning Status

The first semester a student fails to meet the satisfactory progress standards for financial aid, he/she will be placed on Warning Status. While the student will continue to receive financial aid during this period, it is the student’s responsibility to restore his/her academic standing for financial aid by the end of the warning status term.

Students who exceed the 150% Rule are not eligible for a Financial Aid Warning Status.

Failure to restore academic standing by the end of the Warning Status term will result in the student being ineligible for financial aid. Students can appeal their failure to meet standards of Academic Progress.

Appealing Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements

Before submitting an appeal for financial aid, students must meet with a Student Success Navigator and obtain an approved program of study. The program of study may be the basis for the student’s academic plan. Students should file a financial aid appeal as soon as they receive notification of their failure to meet the standards of academic progress, or no later than 30 days after the semester ends. Appeal forms and procedures are available on the Financial Aid web page at https://www.nwfsc.edu/students/financialaid/forms/

Transfer students must meet the established satisfactory progress requirements or submit a financial aid appeal. Students can appeal their failure to meet the standards of academic progress for financial aid if unusual circumstances exist. Unusual and mitigating circumstances include, but are not limited to, a death in the student’s family, medical condition, hospitalization, documented emotional distress, or other situations beyond the student’s control.

All situations must be fully documented.

Program Objective Enrollment Compliance (POEC)

A Program Objective Enrollment Compliance (POEC) review is required for every student seeking federal student aid. In accordance with federal law, federal student aid funds can only be applied to classes that are recognized as being truly necessary for completion of a student’s declared degree. To that end, we must verify (on a term-by-term basis) whether all classes for which a student is enrolled are required or not. Those classes that are confirmed to be required, i.e. POEC compliant, will be counted in enrollment status for federal student aid (as long as all other relevant eligibility criteria has been met). Classes that are identified as not required for degree completion will be flagged as such, and these non-compliant courses will be excluded from enrollment status. 

To be clear, any coursework that is not required will not be included when calculating enrollment status for Title IV funds (Pell Grant, Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, etc.). Students who qualify for aid that exceeds the actual cost of their compliant coursework may be able to apply that difference to non-compliant classes. If excess aid does not exist, the student who wishes to keep such classes on their schedule will need to pay for those classes out of pocket.

Repayment of Unearned Federal Financial Aid (Return of Title IV)

If you receive Title IV federal financial aid (Pell, Federal Loans, SEOG) and completely withdraw from all of your classes within the first 60% of the term, stop attending all classes without notification or have a break in attendance during the semester, a pro-rated portion of your financial aid may need to be repaid. In this case, you will be billed for aid that must be repaid, and holds will be placed on your record until the bill is settled.

This policy is derived from provisions of federal law. Students receiving Title IV aid should consult with the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from any or all classes.

Rights and Responsibilities

As a student financial aid consumer,

You have the right to:

• Be informed about financial aid application procedures, cost of attendance, aid available and renewal requirements.
• Have confidential protection of your financial aid records. The contents of your financial aid file are maintained in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
• Request a review of decisions made by the NWFSC financial aid staff. A letter explaining your situation in detail should be submitted to the Executive Director of Financial Planning and Scholarships.

You have the responsibility to:

• Complete applications correctly and on time.
• Read and understand all materials sent to you from Financial Aid and other financial aid agencies by e-mail and/or letter; keep copies of all forms and materials submitted.
• Know and comply with the rules governing your aid program(s).
• Comply with the provisions of any promissory note and all other agreements you sign.
• Register for the appropriate number of credits and maintain satisfactory academic progress.
• Request personal assistance if you have questions or do not understand the information provided to you.
• Register for courses that count toward your degree or certificate.

Testing Services

As a member of the Florida Association of College Test Administrators (FACTA), Northwest Florida State College offers comprehensive testing services for students and the community. Our exams are both nationally and academics-based, such as the CLEP, ACCUPLACER, and TABE. NWFSC also serves as a host site for the ACT and SAT college admissions exams.

NWFSC also provides proctored exams for students and non-students, which include make-up exams, remote testing, online exams, and testing with accommodations. Students with disabilities can inquire about testing accommodations through our Accommodation Resource Center (arc@nwfsc.edu).

As an authorized Pearson VUE Testing Center, NWFSC delivers secure professional certification testing for students and the community at select testing locations. For information on individual certification tests offered at our testing centers, visit www.pearsonvue.com.

Northwest Florida State College currently offers testing at six locations. For location information, hours, and a list of testing services available at each location, visit www.nwfsc.edu/testing. For exam scheduling and pricing, visit http://www.registerblast.com/nwfsc/exam.

Testing Fees

Testing fees may be paid to the Cashier’s Office by cash or check only. Credit card payments are not accepted at any of our campuses or centers. Testing appointments should be scheduled online in advance at RegisterBlast. A $3.50 convenience fee is added when payment is processed online using RegisterBlast.