HELPFUL TIPS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS
ENTERING OR ENROLLED AT NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY

 

FUTURE OR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS:

  • Review admission criteria for NAU (Undergraduate Admissions)

  • Apply for admission and include official transcripts (high school, other colleges)

  • Inform your family of your educational and relocation plans

  • Discuss how you are planning to pay for college expenses with family

  • Contact the NAU Financial Aid office to make sure they received your FAFSA information from the Department of Education

  • Contact your tribal Scholarship office to apply and/or follow-up on your status

  • Submit measles immunization record to the Fronske Health Center

  • If receiving NAU financial aid loans, make sure you choose the Subsidized loan if possible (you don't have to repay this loan until you receive your college degree).  Unsubsidized loans require students to make monthly interest payments while the student is in college

  • Decide if you planning to live on- or off-campus.  Living in an on-campus residential hall is convenient, less costly, and you get to meet new people (NAU Residence Life).  Most students who choose to live off-campus reside in an apartment.  Be prepared to pay upfront for various deposits (first and last month's rent, utility hook-ups, phone, cable, etc.)

  • Research the local school system for those students with children regarding open enrollment dates, daycare, healthcare, etc.

  • Try to SAVE some money in a bank account for extra expenses (moving, gas, food, books, etc.) in case your financial aid has not been disbursed to your account by the first week of classes in the fall/spring.

  • Seek help from campus resources to ensure a smooth transition into the university environment and begin the path to reaching your educational goals.

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CURRENTLY ENROLLED STUDENTS:

  • Once you have enrolled in classes, shop around at bookstores to purchase textbooks (University Text & Tools, The College Store, the NAU Bookstore)

  • Using an NAU map, plan your walking/biking/driving route to get to your classes

  • Students with a vehicle should purchase a Parking permit (sticker) from NAU Parking Services

  • Most professors will give students a syllabus (handout) that lists dates for homework, tests, final exam, class attendance policies, etc.  Keep this syllabus handy since students refer to this as a guide for the semester/term

  • Plan a weekly schedule listing when all your classes are held, study and exercise or hobby time, employment time, etc.

  • Students enrolled in 12 credit hours should plan to devote 3 hours per credit hour, or 36 hours a week to studying and reading (comparable to a full-time job)

  • Most new freshmen students do not have a wage earning job until they have established a good routine of studying and have excellent time management skills to handle multiple commitments (coursework, employment, family obligations, etc.)

  • If receiving NAU financial assistance, know that you will need to maintain a minimum GPA every semester/term to continue receiving funding

  • If receiving tribal financial assistance, there are requirements you must meet to also continue receiving funding (no repeat classes as part of the 12 credit hours for undergraduates, semester GPA must be at or above a 2.0 in most cases, apply every spring term for the next academic year funding)

  • Any type of federal and/or tribal funding received should be used toward educational expenses only (limit shopping sprees on clothes, music CDs, stereos, car purchases, lending money to family members, non-essential items)

  • Extra money left after necessary expenses are paid, should be BUDGETED wisely to pay for food, some clothes, items needed for your classes, etc. from August to December OR from January to May.

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  • By the middle of each semester/term, if you are having difficulty with a class(es), seek assistance from your instructor, the North and/or South Learning Assistance Centers for tutoring, the Gateway Student Success Center and Native American Student Services offices to receive academic advising and to consider dropping a class before the drop deadline date

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO MEET WITH A N.A.S.S. ADVISOR, contact:
Native American Student Services (NASS)
PO Box 5653, Flagstaff, AZ  86011
University Union (Bldg. 30), Room 104

Phone:  928-523-8086

Fax:  928-523-8855

Toll free:  1-877-523-8125

 

This site is created and maintained by the office of

Native American Student Services at Northern Arizona University.

All rights reserved.

   

Any questions or comments should be directed to:  sharon.doctor@nau.edu