Paying for Your Graduate Education

Though a graduate degree can earn you more money, many students may need assistance with paying for their education. Examples of financial aid available to NMU's graduate students include: 

  • Federal Loans
  • Graduate Assistantships
  • Federal Work Study
  • Donor-Funded Scholarships
  • Student Loan Deferment 
  • Outside Funding Options
  • Overage Checks

If you are a previous NMU graduate, veteran, or are serving you may qualify for residency and in-state tuition.

Student presenting to a group in the library

Other Funding Resources

Federal Loans

Degree-seeking graduate students may be eligible for unsubsidized loans through the Direct Loan program. Students seeking assistance through this loan program will need to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form and designate Northern Michigan University as a recipient. Our federal school code for the FAFSA is 002301.

Graduate Assistantships

Funded Graduate Assistantships are listed on our website when available or are offered through academic departments as noted in the Graduate Bulletin. Graduate Assistantships involve an application process that varies depending on the hiring department. 

Federal Work Study

FWS funding is sometimes available, but limited, for graduate students. If you are interested in the FWS program, you must request consideration when completing your FAFSA by indicating your interest in FWS.

*In order to be considered for loans or FWS, you must complete the FAFSA. We generally recommend having this form completed by March 1. We are able to process late applications as well, but cannot guarantee aid will be ready before fall tuition is due if the FAFSA is filed later.

Student Loan Deferment

If you have been out of school and paying on your federal student loans, you may be eligible to defer these payments. You must be enrolled at least half time (4 credits) in order to qualify. NMU sends rosters of qualifying students to a federal database. If you are not automatically picked up on one of these lists, and are still receiving bills once you’ve begun classes, you can stop by the Financial Aid Office located in the Hedgcock Student Services building to complete a paper deferment form.

Outside Funding Options

You may find other funding options through your employer, or through scholarship searches such as Sallie Mae Graduate School Scholarship Search. You can also enter to win scholarships such as Sallie Mae's "Bridging the Dream" scholarship. 

Overage Checks

To be eligible for an overage, your financial aid must be more than your tuition and fees and all document requirements must be completed. Overage checks are generally available on the first day of classes each semester by either signing up for direct deposit or picking the check up in person. The Student Service Center handles the distribution of overage checks.

Donor-Funded Scholarships

The following is a list of scholarships offered through the NMU Foundation for which Graduate students are eligible to apply. The application period for these scholarships is currently closed. When applications reopen, students can submit an application through the online system by logging in through MyNMU and clicking on Financial Aid – Donor-funded Scholarships. Newly admitted students can click NMU Foundation Donor-funded Scholarships on the Admitted to NMU tab in MyNMU.

Criteria and award amounts vary from scholarship to scholarship. Learn more about available scholarships at http://www.nmu.edu/financialaid/node/82. 

Scholarships for Graduate students have been organized into the following categories:

  • Alumni Legacy Scholarship
    • $1,000 for grad students whose grandparent or parent graduated from NMU.
  • Alma Swinton Memorial Award
    • For students with a GPA over 2.0 showing documented leadership, support or involvement in organizations, activities or issues that promote awareness and acceptance of the LGBTQ community at Northern Michigan University.
  • Baby Grand Scholarship
    • For students at any grade or level who are single parents or non-traditional students with children.
  • Capt. Wm. & Carolyn (Staples) Holman Scholarship
    • For any student. If awardee is descendant, award will be up to amount of full-time tuition and fees. If recipient is not descendant, award may be split.
  • Elsie O. Treves Mayhew Scholarship
    • Any student is eligible.
  • Ellwood and Idamae Mattson Scholarship
    • Any full-time student is eligible.
  • Francis Bleckner AFSCME Local 1094 Scholarship
    • Any student is eligible. Preference given to AFSCME union members or their dependents.
  • Joseph P. Healy Scholarship
    • Any student in financial need is eligible.
  • NMU Student Flexible Aid Fund
    • “The Fund is designed to be a financial resource for needy students who experience unexpected financial challenges (such as medical expenses, day care, car repairs and other expenses not covered by traditional sources of financial aid) that would make it difficult to focus on their education and graduate in a timely manner.” Undergrads preferred. Must be full-time student with over 2.0 GPA.
  • Roy E. Copper Scholarship Fund
    • Any student with over a 2.0 GPA.
  • Merry Memorial Fund
    • Any Biology graduate student is eligible to apply. Preference is given to students studying Ecology or have an emphasis in Botany.
  • William L. Robinson Scholarship Fund
    • Full-time Biology students with a GPA of over 2.5 are eligible to apply. Award is to fund a project focused on wildlife or interior trout streams with a preference of projects in the Upper Peninsula.
  • Hope W. and James T. Dunne Memorial Scholarship
    • Students with a GPA over 2.5 are eligible to apply. First preference to Education majors; Second preference to Business majors.
  • Imarisio College of Business Scholarship
    • Undergrads preferred, but designated for any full-time student in the College of Business with over a 3.0. 2 awards, $2,500 each.
  • Matthew Croschere Memorial Scholarship
    • Undergrads preferred, but designated for any full-time student in the College of Business with over a 3.0.
  • Peter White Student Scholarship
    • Up to amount of sixteen credit hours of in-state tuition per semester for full-time Business students. Prefer undergraduate students from the UP, but any Michigan-based student can apply, including Graduate students.
  • Patricia A. and David E. Lahti '62 Business Scholarship
    • Business students who graduated from a UP high school are eligible to apply. Undergraduate students are preferred, but Graduate students with over a 2.75 GPA can apply. $1,000 per year per individual.
  • Range Bank Scholarship
    • Business students from Marquette or Houghton/Keweenaw areas are eligible to apply. Undergraduate students are preferred, but Graduate students with over a 3.0 GPA can apply.
  • Stan Whitman '50 Memorial Scholarship
    • Any Education, Business, Nursing, or Physical Education student with a GPA over 2.0 whose hometown is in the UP is eligible to apply for this $500 award.
  • Sam M. Cohodas Scholarship
    • Full-time Business students with a GPA of over 3.0 are eligible to apply for this $2,000 award. Preference to Upper Peninsula high school graduates. Must show promise of future business success as evidenced by two letters from faculty members from the School of Business.
  • Hope W. and James T. Dunne Memorial Scholarship
    • Students with a GPA over 2.5 are eligible to apply. First preference to Education majors; Second preference to Business majors.
  • Helen M. Nault Education Scholarship
    • Students with a GPA over 2.5 are eligible to apply. First preference to UP-based students studying Education or English Education.
  • Keith M. Forsberg Scholarship
    • Any full-time Education student in good academic standing (over 3.0) is eligible to apply. Financial need is required, and preference is given to Upper Peninsula high school graduates.
  • Stan Whitman '50 Memorial Scholarship
    • Any Education, Business, Nursing, or Physical Education student with a GPA over 2.0 whose hometown is in the UP is eligible to apply for this $500 award.
  • Schaefer/Myllyla Family Scholarship
    • For any full-time Education student with financial need. Preference given to students from the UP. First preference to student in English or Language Arts. Second preference to student in Special Education.
  • Telephone Pioneers of America Scholarship
    • A full-time graduate student with a GPA over 3.0 is eligible to apply for this $1,000 award. Preference to sons or daughters of members of the Telephone Pioneers, or to Graduate-level Education students.
  • James and Barbara Argeropoulos Scholarship
    • For any student in Nursing, Social Work, Counseling, PreMed, Psychology or other care-related fields, especially for those employed in nursing homes.
  • Rutherford/Lewis Graduate Scholarship
    • Substantial award for Graduate students in the Psychological Sciences program. First priority to NMU graduates who majored in Psychology and plan to go on for graduate studies in Psychology at NMU. Second priority to NMU graduates of any major who plan to go on for graduate studies in Psychology at NMU.
  • Stan Whitman '50 Memorial Scholarship
    • Any Education, Business, Nursing, or Physical Education student with a GPA over 2.0 whose hometown is in the UP is eligible to apply for this $500 award.
  • Sandra L and M Cameron Howes Scholarship
    • For full-time students enrolled in the College of Health Sciences and Professional Studies. Preference to Upper Peninsula high school graduate with over a 3.0 GPA.
  • James and Barbara Argeropoulos Scholarship
    • For any student in Nursing, Social Work, Counseling, PreMed, Psychology or other care-related fields, especially for those employed in nursing homes.
  • Margaret Weller Rettig Scholarship
    • A full-time graduate student within one year of graduation with a GPA over 3.25 is eligible to apply. Preference to baccalaureate Nursing student.
  • Natalie C. Maki Nursing Scholarship
    • A full-time Nursing student with a GPA over 3.0 is eligible to apply.
  • Stan Whitman '50 Memorial Scholarship
    • Any Education, Business, Nursing, or Physical Education student with a GPA over 2.0 whose hometown is in the UP is eligible to apply for this $500 award.
  • Karla Bester English Scholarship
    • Any full-time English student in good academic standing (over 2.0) is eligible to apply. Financial need is required.
  • Edgar L. and Elizabeth C. Harden Scholarship
    • Any full-time student from the UP is eligible.
  • Helen M. Nault Education Scholarship
    • Students with a GPA over 2.5 are eligible to apply. First preference to UP-based students studying Education or English Education.
  • Jean and Kathleen (Shingler) Weston Scholarship
    • Any full-time Science student in good academic standing (over 2.0) is eligible to apply. First preference to students from Kenton, Sidnaw, or Trout Creek, Michigan, followed by students from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
  • Portage Health Foundation Scholarship
    • Any full-time student seeking a health-related degree or certificate in the College of Health Sciences and Professional Studies, Health and Human Performance, School of Clinical Sciences, or School of Nursing, Pre-Med/Pre-Dental Programs or Athletic Training who is in good academic standing (over 2.5) is eligible to apply. Only open to students whose hometown is county of Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga or Ontonagon. Financial need is required. $2500 per student each year.
  • Rauha Laitala Farrar Scholarship
    • Any full-time student with financial need whose hometown is in the UP is eligible to apply. A GPA reflecting academic achievement is preferred.
  • Stan Whitman '50 Memorial Scholarship
    • Any Education, Business, Nursing, or Physical Education student with a GPA over 2.0 whose hometown is in the UP is eligible to apply for this $500 award.
  • Earl and Miriam Hilton Memorial Scholarship
    • Any international student who is maintaining their US citizenship and immigration services status is eligible.
  • International Student Scholarship
    • International students with a GPA over 2.5 are eligible to apply for a $500 scholarship.
  • Johansen Scholarship
    • Full-time international students with a GPA over 2.5 who’ve been at NMU for one academic year are eligible to apply./li>
  • Scholarship Now International and Study Abroad
    • For any full-time international student with a GPA over 2.0.
  • Weting International Student Fund
    • International students with a GPA over 2.0 are eligible to apply.
  • Gloria '73 and Gregory '73 Walters Scholarship
    • Any student from Leelanau County is eligible.
  • Helen McCann Scholarship
    • The recipient must be a student who has had an interrupted education and plans to return on either a full- or part-time basis.
  • Susan P. Manley Memorial Scholarship
    • Intended to offset cost of textbooks and/or computer software/hardware. First preference to a non-traditional student. Second preference to a female student.
  • Steelcase Inc. Urban Scholars Endowment
    • $5,000 annual award for any Grand Rapids Public Schools graduate attending university full-time with a GPA of at least 2.5. First preference will be given to students in business, information technology or art and design.
  • Telephone Pioneers of America Scholarship
    • A full-time graduate student with a GPA over 3.0 is eligible to apply for this $1,000 award. Preference to sons or daughters of members of the Telephone Pioneers, or to Graduate-level Education students.

Grants and Travel Funding

Northern Michigan University offers additional research funding opportunities via grants like the Excellence in Education and Spooner awards. Each year, students can also compete in the Three Minute Thesis competition. Additionally, you can also view resources for external grant opportunities with NMU's Grants and Contracts Office. Individual departments may also have travel and special projects funding or may be able to identify other funding resources.

Additional Information

You are expected to familiarize yourself with the rights and responsibilities you have as a financial aid recipient. Correspondence from the Financial Aid Office will be sent to your NMU e-mail address. Please be sure to check this account often. You can view your financial aid information online at any time by going to mynmu.nmu.edu.

Financial Aid Office
2107 C.B. Hedgcock
906-227-2327
fao@nmu.edu