Your Financial Aid Steps
Learn how to apply for and receive financial aid.
To get help paying for college, follow the financial aid timeline and processes below. Or, download our financial aid guide for step-by-step assistance.
UND Financial Aid Guide
1. Apply for Annually for Financial Aid
Don't assume you won't be eligible for financial aid. Most students qualify for some type of aid, including low-interest federal loans regardless of income level.
Note: International students do not qualify for federal financial aid but may be eligible for some scholarship programs.
FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the only application UND requires to determine your eligibility for federal financial aid programs. The aid you're eligible to receive is determined from the financial information you provide and the cost to attend to UND.
- If you've never completed the FAFSA before, create a Student Aid account to receive your Federal Student Aid ID.
- Complete 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by using your 2023 income taxes. Apply early!
Once your FAFSA is completed, your informaton will be sent to UND within 7 to 10 business days.
Scholarships
Apply annually for 1,300+ scholarships with one application in Scholarship Central.
- Newly admitted students: Complete application by Feb. 1 for following academic year.
- Refer to Step 2 and claim your NDUS account to access Scholarship Central.
- Returning students: Complete application by March 1 for following academic year.
- All non-UND scholarships must be reported to onestop@UND.edu.
2. Claim Your NDUS Account
If you are admitted to UND and haven't already done the following, complete these steps:
- Claim your NDUS account with your student ID (EMPLID) found on your letter from the UND Office of Admissions.
- Make sure you check your email frequently.
- After you’ve claimed your NDUS account, you’ll begin to receive communication through your UND student email account from campus departments. Gain access to your UND student email account, review the login instructions and get directions to set up your UND email on your smartphone.
- Before you begin classes, please check the email you used on your admission application frequently for communication from the Office of Admissions regarding financial aid, course registration and more. You’ll continue to get reminder emails about these next steps to your personal account from the Office of Admissions until your first semester begins.
- Once the semester begins, all communications from the University will be sent to your official UND student email account.
For access and password issues, please contact the NDUS Help Desk.
3. Estimate Remaining Payment Due to UND
Use our net price calculator to estimate your tuition payment due to UND.
4. Accept/Decline Loan Offers and Complete Other Campus Connection Steps
Newly admitted students: Starting in March or within two weeks of receiving your FAFSA information, UND will mail your financial aid offer notification.
Returning students: Starting in June, UND will email you when your financial aid offer is available in Campus Connection.
At least one month before the semester begins, make sure you complete the following steps in Campus Connection as outlined below.
- Log into Campus Connection and enter your user ID (typically firstname lastname) and password.
- In Campus Connection, click on the “Tasks and Communications” tile to see if you have
any “Holds” on your account or if UND is waiting for you to complete an item on your
“To Do List.” These items must be addressed, as they can either stop financial aid
processing or prevent class registration.
- As part of the "To Do List," all students must complete the Financial Obligation Agreement each semester before registering for classes. This step is required to ensure a smooth registration process.
- Some families may be required to submit additional documentation to be considered
for federal financial aid funds, such as supplemental forms, copies of tax returns
or other pertinent materials. This process is called verification.
- You can view these "To Do List" notifications in your "Tasks and Communications" tile in Campus Connection.
- You also will be mailed a letter or sent an email if additional documentation is required.
- Select “Financial Aid Summary.” then Select “Cost of Attendance.”
- Be sure the correct aid year is displayed. Use the “Change” button to update if needed.
Keep in mind that these are estimated costs and that not all of your expenses will be paid directly to UND.
The “Pers and Mis” budget line provides you with estimated costs for additional personal and miscellaneous expenses, such as shampoo and toothpaste.
If you’re unsure if you want to accept or decline all or part of your financial aid, make sure you use the net price calculator (Step 3) first to help you estimate your payment due to UND.
1. Click on “Accept/Decline.” Make sure the correct aid year is displayed.
2. Click the edit button (a), then click the drop-down arrows (b) to accept or decline your awards.
- The amounts can be edited to accept less than what is offered.
- Click “Reduce” (c) if you want to accept only part of the award. Once you do that, you’ll be able to adjust the amount in the “Accepted” column (d).
- Remember: The amount of aid you accept will be split in half between the fall and spring semesters.
3. Click “Submit” (e) to complete this step.
If needed, set up your preference for receiving excess financial aid and other refunds in Campus Connection. Follow the step-by-step directions for setting up your refund preferences.
Step-By-Step Instructions to Accept Financial Aid
5. Complete U.S. Department of Education Agreements
If you’re accepting a Federal Direct Loan for the first time, you must complete a Master Promissory Note/Loan Agreement and Entrance Counseling through the U.S. Department of Education.
6. Research Additional Aid Options
Research additional aid options if your federal aid and scholarships do not pay your charges in full. Based on your estimated payment due to UND, you may want to take advantage of additional loan options.
7. Pay Remaining Charges
Your financial aid will post in Campus Connection to pay your UND tuition, fees and other account charges. Any excess financial aid and other refunds will be sent to your personal checking account to help pay for other expenses.
Note that your financial aid is based on your verified enrollment status on the last day to add/drop a semester class:
- Fall 2025: Sept. 3, 2025
- Spring 2026: Jan. 22, 2026
Undergraduate Students
If you’re an undergraduate student, your financial aid will be applied to your bill in Campus Connection on the following dates:
- Fall 2025: Sept. 10, 2025
- Spring 2026: Jan. 28, 2026
Graduate/Professional Students
If you’re a graduate or professional student, your financial aid will be applied to your bill in Campus Connection before the start of the semester.
After your financial aid has been applied to your bill, please verify that it covered your total charges. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to pay the outstanding balance by the following dates each semester to avoid a late fee:
- Fall Semester: Oct. 15
- Spring Semester: March 15
How to Pay
Paying online through Campus Connection is the best and safest payment method at UND. You can also set up an Authorized Payer (such as a family member) in Campus Connection.
Payment Plan Options
If you're interested in breaking down your balance into more affordable monthly payments, you can sign up for an optional, interest-free payment plan. UND offers 3, 4 and 5-month payment plans. The length of plan is determined by the date you sign up.