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Northern Arizona University · Flagstaff
NAU is consistently ranked among the most affordable four-year universities in Arizona, and its scholarship portfolio makes it even more competitive. Many awards stack — meaning a combination of institutional merit, need-based aid, and outside scholarships can get your net cost close to zero.
Northern Arizona University is located in Flagstaff, Arizona, at 7,000 feet elevation. It enrolls about 30,000 students across its main campus, regional campuses around the state, and online programs. NAU has a strong reputation in forestry, environmental science, nursing, and education. Its automatic merit scholarship system means most high-achieving AZ residents receive a scholarship offer as part of their admission decision. NAU is particularly accessible for first-generation students and students from rural Arizona communities.
Key institutional scholarships at NAU
These are NAU-specific programs — most are automatic or require only an admission application. Layer them with the outside scholarships below.
GPA: 3.75–4.00 core GPA
NAU's top tuition scholarship tier, automatic on admission and set by core GPA (no test scores). Requires living on campus (NAU housing and a meal plan) your first year.
GPA: Below 3.00 up to 3.74 core GPA
President's $9,000 (3.50–3.74), Dean's with Distinction $6,500 (3.40–3.49), Dean's $5,000 (3.00–3.39), Opportunity $2,500 (below 3.00). Automatic on admission for Arizona residents who live on campus their first year.
Flinn Scholars can choose NAU as their home institution. If you're admitted to the Flinn program, NAU is a serious option worth comparing against ASU and UA.
NAU has one of the largest Native American student populations of any research university. Tribal scholarships stack with NAU institutional aid — see the AI Fund and ONAP programs.
Find more funding
Scholarships by background — open to all NAU students