Northland Baptist Bible College

A Parent’s Guide To
COLLEGE & FINANCIAL
AID PLANNING
Our Publishing Partner:
Table of Contents
3 Presidential Foreword
A welcome message from the president of
Northland Baptist Bible College
4 Inside NBBC
This article gives an overview of NBBC’s mission and
how it prepares students for life. The helpful sidebar
includes details on enrollment, majors, and contact
information.
5 Best Deal or Best Fit
Your child is likely looking at all types of colleges,
but how are they to know what school is the best fit?
Encourage them to look beyond the basics of cost and
location to make sure they find a place where they will
be loved and personally discipled.
6 Why Should I Consider a Bible College?
What makes a Bible college unique? Learn how the
model of a Bible college education revolves around an
intensive understanding of God’s Word, specializing in
coursework crucial for successful spiritual warfare and
“rightly dividing the Word of Truth.”
8 Let’s Make a Plan
Does the maze of college financial aid paperwork
have you feeling lost and confused? These tips from
the NBBC financial aid office will help you through
the process.
10 Who is Eligible for Financial Aid?
Does your student qualify for financial aid? Check this
list of requirements to see what their status is, as well
as how you may be expected to contribute toward your
student’s education bills.
11 Tax Incentives for
Education-Related Expenses
Tax incentives are one way to help handle the burden
of higher education costs. Learn about the programs
you and your student may qualify for here.
11 Northland’s Loan Philosophy
A college education is a big investment, and sometimes
loans are required to pay the bills. This article details
Northland’s philosophy on student loans and how the
college strives to help students be fiscally responsible
so that they can enter the ministry with as little debt
burden as possible.
12 Top Ten Financial Aid Questions
Financial Aid
Resources
NBBC Resources
www.nbbc.edu/financialaid
https://nbbc.vfao.com
Federal Student Aid
Information Center
(800) 4-FED-AID
Helpful Web Sites
www.fafsa.ed.gov
www.pin.ed.gov
www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov
www.studentaid.ed.gov
www.finaid.org
Get the answers to your pressing financial aid
questions here!
14 Key Milestones
Learn the key steps in the college search and admissions
process. Use the reference calendar to remind yourself
of milestones that you must meet to get into your
college of choice.
8 Terms You Need to Know
Sometimes the world of college financial aid seems to
be based in another language. Learn these crucial terms
early on to ensure that sure you make the right moves.
2 start the process of financial aid planning www.NBBC.edU/FINANCIAL AID
®
NBBCP/15k/Ww/H/Y01
Unauthorized duplication
is prohibited by law.
Presidential
Foreword
Dear Fellow Parent,
Having seen one child graduate from college and marry, another graduate
and pursue missions, and our last in college now, my wife and I can certainly
identify with how you are feeling as you help your son or daughter with
this exciting step in his or her future. As we prayerfully sought God’s will
concerning the college selection process, we also eagerly sought solid advice
and resources to help us in determining God’s best for each of our children.
With this in mind, Northland has compiled the information in this guide
in order to help you during this challenging time in your life. Some of
the articles will give practical advice and information about the financial
considerations of college, while other articles will focus on providing
guidance for helping your child know God’s will for his life.
The mission of Northland Baptist Bible College is to prepare the next
generation of servant-leaders for Great Commission living. This is done
through a core curriculum that is firmly established on biblical truth,
preparing students to minister effectively in a changing world. Our faculty
and staff are dedicated to a “life touching life” philosophy of personal
discipleship, applying the classroom to practical daily living. None of
us have reached our goal of total Christ-likeness yet, and as we disciple
your son or daughter, God continues to touch and mold our lives as well
through them. I am sure you, like my wife and me, have experienced this
phenomenon again and again as parents. I love the opportunity God
has given me to serve in a college where this happens with our students,
faculty, and staff multiple times every day all over campus. “Life touching
life” occurs not only in the classrooms but also in the kitchen, the athletic
facilities, the offices, and every place the Northland family members interact
on a regular basis. I hope you will prayerfully consider trusting us with the
education and further discipleship of your child.
Our desire at Northland and with this Parent’s Guide is to serve and
partner with you as you assist your child not only to the calling and college
God has for them, but also to a Word-filled, Spirit-filled life of service and
abandonment for the glory of God. Please let us know if we can be of help
to you in any way as you anticipate all the great and mighty things God will
do in the life of your child.
Your friend and fellow servant,
“The mission of
Northland Baptist
College is to prepare
the next generation
of servant-leaders for
Great Commission
living.”
Matt Olson
President
www.NBBC.edu
3
Inside NBBC
Overview
W10085 Pike Plains Road
Dunbar, WI 54119
Phone: (888) 4-NORTHLAND
Web: www.nbbc.edu
Admissions Office
Phone: (888) 4-NORTHLAND
E-mail: admissions@nbbc.edu
Financial Aid Office
Phone: (888) 4-NORTHLAND
E-mail: financialaid@nbbc.edu
Overview
Institutional control: Private
Religious affiliation: Baptist
Setting: Rural
Number of undergraduate students: 600
Number of graduate students: 200–250
Financial Aid
Grants offered: Yes
Scholarships offered: Yes
Loans offered: Yes
Most popular areas of study:
1. Secondary Education
2. Biblical Counseling
3. Elementary Education
4. Bible
5. Missions
6. Family and Women’s Ministry
God has given Northland Baptist Bible College
a burden for developing students with a unique,
biblical philosophy of life and ministry. Many
people call this the “Northland Heart,” a
philosophy that emphasizes total abandonment
of self in exchange for a dynamic relationship
with God, resulting in servant-leadership.
This biblical philosophy includes a strong
commitment to the Great Commission through
evangelism and discipleship.
In any institution of higher education, students
always learn more about a philosophy of life
from relationships with faculty members,
staff members, and other students than from
classroom lessons; therefore, Northland’s
faculty members strive to nurture this ministry
philosophy not only by what they teach, but
also by how they live. Northland teaches this
philosophy through the core curriculum, carefully
designed classes, and programs that immerse
students in biblical life and ministry. Professors
weave this philosophy into the course structure
of any major a student pursues. The “Northland
Heart” is also reproduced in students through
the godly faculty and staff members and the
students’ commitment to the “Life Touching
Life” principle of discipleship and personal
pursuit of God.
Northland’s Mission
Northland’s mission, since its beginning in
1976, has been to glorify God by preparing the
next generation of servant-leaders for Great
Commission living. Northland stands firmly
in the stream of Baptist faith and practice.
4 get to know us! StarT By becoming a northland vip at: vip.nbbc.edu
The founder of the college, Dr. Paul Patz, and
the subsequent administrations have recognized
the need for a Bible college that can help to
rekindle a fervor and zeal for the ministry, both
at home and abroad. Northland rejects the idea
of a value-free education and believes all truth
is centered in Jesus Christ. Consequently, the
college believes that all knowledge should be
filtered through Him and His Word, the Bible.
The Bible should be the philosophical foundation
for all subject matter, and it is a faithful guide
for all subject matter and instruction. The goal
of Northland is to provide an atmosphere of
academic excellence and daily discipleship to
prepare individuals with both “hands of skill
and hearts for God” (Psalm 78:72). Faculty
members are committed to training individuals
whose chief desire is to serve the Lord so they
will be motivated to serve others in their chosen
field of ministry.
Preparation for Life
For students who are living cross-centered lives
and who are seeking to fulfill their calling through
full-time ministry, Northland is the perfect place
to be trained. Students enjoy the Christ-centered
atmosphere and the fellowship of hundreds of
others who share the same passion for God. The
godly men and women who compose the faculty
are involved in students’ lives on a one-on-one
basis, and they seek to prepare students to serve
wherever God leads them. Students can visit the
Northland VIP Page at www.nbbc.edu to create
a personalized Web page tailored to their specific
interests. For more information, call (888)
4-NORTHLAND.
Best Deal
or Best Fit?
W
hen it comes to avoiding exercise, I have many excuses.
One classic defense is that my running shoes hurt my
feet. The fact is that when I got those shoes, they were cheaper
than the ones that really worked for me. As you can see, the best
deal is not always the best fit. As you and your child contemplate
and pray about college selection, remember that just because one
college is a better deal doesn’t mean that it is God’s will or the
best fit for your student.
The best deal may have a lower price, be closer to home, have a bigger
library, and have fewer or more rules. Maybe the best deal has more students
or better food or even more guys or girls to offer a future in-law. Maybe it
seems like the best deal because all your friends’ children will be attending
classes there. Just as with my shoes, the best deal may not be the best fit.
Which is really more important?
The best fit is the college that is most compatible with your child’s personal
goals for the future. The best fit mixes higher education with a heart for
Christian service and a pursuit of God that you believe your child will
actively respond to. The best fit offers your child balanced structure that
enhances the biblical principles that have been learned at home. The best fit
is the college that matches your child’s personality and life experiences.
The best fit is where your child will feel loved as an individual and will be
personally discipled by a faculty and staff you trust. Remember that the
best fit probably won’t seem like the best deal because real spiritual growth
and learning are never easy. They require both the student and the parent
to sacrifice, to die to self, and to follow Christ. Don’t miss out on providing
the best spiritual growth and education for your child by choosing—like me
and my cheaper shoes—the best deal over the best fit.
Continue to pray about what college is the best fit for your student.
Visit the colleges you are interested in, take a good look, and ask a lot of
questions. We hope Northland is a college you are strongly considering.
We would love the opportunity to partner with you in helping to increase
your child’s desire for God while expanding his ability to serve Him with
the best education possible.
By Mike Glanzer
The associate vice president for student advancement at Northland Baptist Bible College.
More articles like this one can be found on your personalized vip page.
login at: vip.nbbc.edu. 5
Why Should I Consider
a Bible College?
The Value of the Traditional Bible College Model
I
ce cream! You just finished your supper and now you’re craving some delicious ice cream. Where can you satisfy your craving?
Wal-Mart, right? Wal-Mart certainly has their own brand name of this popular dessert, but when you have a hankering for ice
cream, Wal-Mart is most likely not the first place you’d go. Instead your mind takes you to places like Coldstone Creamery, Marble
Slab, or Baskin Robbins. These companies specialize in ice cream, and frankly, they do ice cream better! They focus their energies
on preparing their ice cream in a unique way and making it the best experience your tongue can possibly have. Their ice cream is
arguably better than Wal-Mart’s because their resources go into researching and developing primarily ice cream and not a variety
of other products. Specialization has its rewards.
Choosing your after-supper dessert is one thing,
but what about your education? What could
happen if this idea of specialization were applied
to your preparation to fulfill God’s call? The
traditional Bible college model implements the
philosophy of specialization, making it the best
place to prepare the next generation of full-time
ministers for the harvest of souls.
The traditional Bible college provides the
exceptional general education courses necessary
for a well-rounded degree. In fact, the mission
of a Bible college demands that it offer relevant
general education courses to prepare God’s
servants for ministry. Nevertheless, what sets
the Bible college apart from its liberal arts sister
schools is the depth of biblical and theological
studies central to the Bible college curriculum.
Interestingly, many attend a Bible college for a
few years not because they’re called to full-time
ministry, but simply to become grounded in
God’s Word and to develop a biblical philosophy
of life. Because Scripture must be the foundation
upon which Christian ministry is built, an
intensive understanding of God’s Word is the
basis of the Bible college curriculum.
The Bible college curriculum is designed to
prepare the student to handle God’s Word
effectively. The model is constructed so that a
student completing a four-year bachelor’s degree
has taken coursework throughout every book
of the Bible. An Office Administration major
graduates having had more Bible classes in a
traditional Bible college than a Pastoral Studies
major in most Christian liberal arts colleges.
It’s the same model currently employed in Master
of Divinity programs around the country.
6 visit the campus!
prospective student guests qualify for 2 free nights and 6 free meals!
A comprehensive view of God’s Word is
necessary to build a solid hermeneutic and
prepare the future minister for the inevitable
battlefield ahead.
The Bible college curriculum intentionally
specializes in coursework crucial for successful
spiritual warfare and “rightly dividing the Word
of Truth.”
Without question, the Bible college is eternally
grateful for its liberal arts sister colleges that
are called to train laymen to a host of worthy
occupations. These laymen fill our churches
and uphold the hands of those called to fulltime ministerial positions. However, careful
consideration should be given to the fact that
specialization allows the Bible college freedom to
devote their resources wholly to training people
for the ministry, rather than spreading resources
thin to support other occupational training
programs. The Bible college offers its graduates
a solid biblical foundation and philosophy
for life. That is its entire reason for existence.
All resources are directed toward the goal of
doing one thing and one thing well—preparing
soldiers for the battle of the Cross. The Bible
college labors from a position of strength in
ministry training. Through specialization, it
is unquestionably the most qualified place to
prepare for a lifetime of ministry.
The atmosphere of the Bible college is unique
and unattainable at a liberal arts college. It is
impossible to adequately describe the power
of a large number of single-minded people
preparing for ministry. “Iron sharpening iron,”
“life touching life,” “out-of-your-comfort-zone
discipleship,” and “ground-swelling passion
for ministry” are just a few ways it has been
expressed. Imagine a single-minded faculty and
staff, who serve by example in an institution
whose single goal is to prepare biblically-sound
servants of God. Imagine that faculty and staff
having students in their homes and offices on
a regular basis for one-on-one discipleship.
Imagine a student body that hungers for God’s
Word and readily voices their willingness to go
to places where they may be martyred for
His cause. Imagine a place where the word
“discipline” doesn’t refer to demerits or a
removal of privileges, but takes the true
form of discipleship toward a goal: the total
transformation of a life from the inside out, not
the outside in. This is the traditional Bible college
model. This is Northland Baptist Bible College.
This model is not designed to attract a sizeable
student body. Such cumbersome growth
would only hinder its discipleship purposes.
It is designed, like those specialized ice cream
shops, to do ministry and Bible training better
than others. Training in a Bible college is not
for the faint of heart! As the Special Forces
require rigorous training to prepare the soldier, a
traditional Bible college works equally as hard to
equip its soldiers for the most important battle,
the battle for souls!
It must not only teach the Word, but also the life
patterns that will bring about a self-sacrificing
mentality for the sake of the Gospel, for full-time
vocational ministry, and for the glory of God.
Take time to consider the value of specialization.
Will it make a difference in your preparation for
God’s call?
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7
Let’s Make
a Plan...
F
Terms You
Need to Know
FAFSA
(Free Application Federal Student Aid)
Application used to determine aid eligibility
SAR
(Student Aid Report)
Results of the FAFSA
EFC
(Expected Family Contribution)
Family’s ability to contribute toward
college expenses
Verification
Process through which information listed on
the FAFSA is verified through tax documents
and supplemental worksheets; failure to
complete verification will result in the loss
of aid.
Independent Student
To be considered an independent student,
you must meet at least one of the following
conditions:
• At least 24 years old
• Married
• Children whom you support at least 50%
of the time
• Dependents whom you support that are
not your children
• Both parents are deceased, or you are a
ward of the court
• Currently serving on active duty in
the armed forces
• Veteran of the armed forces
inancial aid can be a confusing and daunting process. Throughout the course
of your application, please refer to the Northland Financial Aid Web site
(www.nbbc.edu/financialaid) for tips on completing your application.
Information Is Free!
All information regarding federal financial aid is free and is available from a variety of sources: high
school counselors, Northland financial aid office, Internet, etc. Here is one resource to answer some
of your general financial aid questions: www.studentaid.ed.gov.
How Do I Plan Ahead?
College is very expensive, and with expenses rising each year, students and parents must educate
themselves on the best ways to plan ahead.
Academic Preparation:
•Take the right junior high and high school courses to qualify for some of the available scholarships.
•Maintain good grades throughout high school.
•Visit college campuses and interview with students and faculty.
•Complete your application process as soon as possible.
Financial Preparation:
•Savings—You need to begin saving for college as soon as possible. Research the possible tax
incentives for different types of educational savings accounts.
•Student Loans—Northland discourages students from borrowing but understands the necessity
in some cases. Beware of fees and high interest rates attached to most private student loans. The
financial aid office at Northland will view loans as a last resort in financing a student’s education.
Applying for a PIN
Information from the Department of Education is kept safe through the use of a PIN. Both the
student and the parent will need PINs. You can apply for your PIN at www.pin.ed.gov. Keep this in
a safe place. Should you lose your PIN or feel it has been compromised, please go to the Web site and
request a new PIN.
Gathering Information
Throughout the process of applying for financial aid, you will be asked for many documents. Here
is a list of the documents you will need to have available to complete your FAFSA (Free Application
Federal Student Aid):
•Your social security number—please be sure to use the name listed on the social security card exactly
as it appears
•Your driver’s license or state identification card
•Your 2008 W-2 forms and other records of money earned
•Your (and your spouse’s, if you are married) 2008 federal income tax return
•Your parents’ 2008 federal income tax return (if you are a dependent student)
•Your 2008 untaxed income records—Social Security, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families,
welfare, or veterans benefits records
•Your most recent bank statements
8 contact admissions@nbbc.edu or become a vip to request the college and career decision-Making guide.
•Your most recent business and investment mortgage information,
business and farm records, stocks, bonds, and other investment records
•Your alien registration number or permanent residence card (if you are
not a U.S. citizen)
Complete the FAFSA Early
The FAFSA can be completed anytime after January 1 of the year you
plan to begin attendance. If you have not yet filed your taxes, use estimated
amounts. Once you have filed your taxes, you will need to amend your
FAFSA. You can use the FAFSA 4-caster to see in advance what your
financial eligibility will be. This can be found at www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov.
You will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) once your FAFSA is complete.
The number that determines your aid package is the EFC (Expected Family
Contribution). This represents your ability to pay toward your education.
Pell Grant eligibility is based on a graduated scale. Students with an EFC
higher than $4,741 were not eligible for the Pell in the 2008–2009 school
year. Students with EFC of zero were eligible for $4,731 in Pell Grant funds
for the school year of 2008–2009.
Financial Aid Awards
Many types of grants and scholarships are available to students. Here are
some of the financial aid programs available to Northland students today:
Ministry Scholarship—This is a scholarship provided to Northland
students whose head of the household is in full-time ministry. You can
find the application at www.nbbc.edu/financialaid.
Academic Scholarship—This is a scholarship provided to Northland
students who have a cumulative GPA of 3.6 or higher. The student
must be enrolled with at least 15 credits. For more details please visit
www.nbbc.edu/financialaid.
Pell Grant—This is need-based grant from the U.S. Department of
Education. Students can apply for the Pell Grant using the FAFSA.
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant—The FSEOG
is given by the U.S. Department of Education and supplemented by
Northland. A student can qualify for up to $1,000 in grant money.
FSEOG monies are limited to a first-come, first-served basis.
Continued on the next page
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Let’s Make a Plan...
CONTINUED
Academic Competitiveness Grant—The ACG, provided by the
U.S. Department of Education, is available to freshmen and sophomores
who have completed an advanced set of courses in high school.
Freshmen qualify for $750 for the year, and sophomores who maintain
at least a 3.0 GPA can qualify for $1,300 for the year. Here are the high
school requirements:
•Four years of English
•Three years of math—including algebra I and a higher-level course such
as algebra II, geometry, data analysis, or statistics
•Three years of science—including at least two courses from biology,
chemistry, or physics
•Three years of social studies
•One year of a foreign language
The financial aid office will check freshman transcripts when we receive
your FAFSA.
Federal Work Study—You may work on campus and earn $6.50 per
hour until you reach your maximum award (as assigned by the Financial
Aid Office). Once you reach your award, you will make the Northland
minimum wage.
Loans—Northland will accept students with loans, but this will be done
through much prayer and counseling. Parents may also apply for Parent
PLUS loans. Please see the financial aid office for more information
regarding loan applications.
Understanding the Process
Here are a few guidelines for understanding what happens to your
financial aid information:
1. Student decides to attend college and applies for financial aid by
completing the FAFSA.
2. FAFSA is sent to the CPS (Central Processing System). This is a thirdparty servicer for the U.S. Department of Education. Here your FAFSA
will be matched to several databases, including social security, selective
service, and homeland security. Please be sure to match your social
security number with the name as it appears exactly on the card.
3. Student will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). Each school you listed
on the FAFSA will receive a copy of the same report. This will be sent to
you electronically if a valid e-mail address was included on your form.
4. The U.S. Department of Education requires at least 30 percent of all
FAFSAs be chosen for verification. Most of the 30 percent will come
from Pell recipients. You will be asked to submit all tax information used
to prepare your FAFSA. Please be sure to sign the copy of your tax return
that you will submit for verification. You will also be asked for W-2s to
support all income reported. Three additional worksheets can be found on
https://nbbc.vfao.com. The financial aid office is available to assist with
the completion of the verification process.
5. Once the student has completed the above steps, aid will be scheduled.
All financial aid is disbursed by semester. A notice will be sent to the
student when money is posted to his or her account.
Who Is Eligible for Financial Aid?
Eligibility for federal student aid is based on financial need.
Northland’s financial aid office will help you determine your eligibility.
To receive aid from U.S. Department of Education programs,
you must:
• Demonstrate financial need.
• Have a high school diploma, have a General Education
Development (GED) certificate, pass a test approved by the U.S.
Department of Education, or complete a high school education in a
homeschool setting that is treated as such under state law.
• Be working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program.
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Have a valid social security number.
• Register with Selective Service. You can use FAFSA to register,
register at www.sss.gov, or call (847) 688-6888.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress once in school.
• Certify that you are not in default on a federal student loan and do
not owe money on a federal student grant.
• Certify that you will use federal student aid only for educational
purposes.
How Will I Know What I’m Eligible For?
The information you reported on your FAFSA is used to calculate your
Expected Family Contribution (EFC). This information reports your
family’s financial strength on the basis of your income and assets. The
EFC determines your eligibility for federal student aid and indicates
how much money you are able to contribute toward your education. If
your EFC is below $4,731, you will be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant,
assuming you meet all other eligibility requirements. The amount of
your Pell Grant depends on your EFC, your cost of attendance, and
your enrollment status.
A financial aid administrator can consider special or unusual
circumstances such as unusual medical expenses, unemployment,
bankruptcy, or change in parent’s marital status. You will need
to provide documentation to justify any change. The decision to
change or not to change your dependency status is based on the aid
administrator’s judgment, and it is final. It cannot be appealed to the
U.S. Department of Education.
10 IM or chat with your own admissions counselor. Start on your vip page.
Tax Incentives for Education-Related Expenses
There are many ways to defray the costs of a
college education. Here are some tax incentive
programs that can help your family pay the bills.
For more information on these topics, please
visit www.nbbc.edu/financialaid.
Hope Credit
• Tax credit of $1,500/year for each
eligible student
• 100% tax credit for the first $1,500 paid for
qualified expenses. 50% tax credit for the
second $1,000.
• You may claim the Hope Credit for two years.
Student must be in their first or second year
and enrolled at least half time for one period
of the tax year.
Lifetime Learning Credit
• May claim up to $2,000/year in federal taxes.
• 20% tax credit for the first $5,000 paid for
qualified expenses. After 2002, a 20% tax credit
on the first $10,000 paid.
• No limit on number of tax years you may claim
Lifetime Learning Credit.
Coverdell Education Savings Account
For each child under age 18, families may deposit
$2,000 per year into a Coverdell Education
Savings Account (formerly an Education IRA)
in the child’s name. Earnings will accumulate
tax-free until distributed. No taxes will be due
upon withdrawal if the money is used to pay
for postsecondary tuition and required fees,
books, equipment, and eligible room and board
expenses. Once the child reaches age 30, the
account must be closed or transferred to a
younger member of the family.
Student Loan Interest Deduction
• Parents and independent students may deduct
interest on loans borrowed to meet college
expenses.
Using IRA withdrawals
for college costs
• You may withdraw from an IRA to pay higher
education expenses for yourself, your spouse,
your child, or your grandchild.
• You will owe federal income tax on the amount
withdrawn but will not be subject to the 10%
early withdrawal penalty.
Northland’s
Loan Philosophy
I
n the past, Northland employed a “no-debt policy” regarding the timely payment of student tuition and room/board fees.
The goal behind this policy was to help our students graduate debt-free, allowing them to enter the ministry immediately.
However, as time has passed, families have continually asked Northland to allow them the freedom to utilize all of the resources
available to help pay for college. We believe that God can and does miraculously provide money for school bills, but it is not our
intention to limit the means by which God provides or to dictate to families how God should work in their individual circumstances.
Since it is ultimately the responsibility of the student and his or her family to decide these matters in the light of God’s Word and
the Holy Spirit’s leading, we now defer to them. At the same time, we consistently sound a firm warning against excessive debt for
those going into the ministry and especially those called to a foreign mission field.
With this in mind, Northland participates in
the Federal Family Education Loan Program,
which includes Stafford subsidized and
unsubsidized loans as well as the Parent PLUS
loan program. This is the only Federal loan
program in which we participate. In accordance
with our convictions, this program seeks to
place reasonable caps on the amount a student
can borrow and allows parents to carry a large
portion of the responsibility by making lowinterest loans available to them for up to the cost
of education.
Finally, regardless of what students, parents,
and pastors decide concerning the financing of
educational expenses, our heartfelt desire is that
they would carefully consider incurring any debt
in light of a biblical philosophy of stewardship.
In the financial counseling we give our students,
we will continue to put a strong emphasis upon
God-dependence and will caution students not
to accumulate a heavy debt load. Therefore, we
reserve the right not to certify a loan or to certify
it for less than the amount requested if we feel
that the loan would not be in the best interest of
the student’s future ministry.
more financial information can be found at: www.nbbc.edu/financialaid.
11
Top Ten
Financial Aid Questions
1
Should I pay for help to fill out my FAFSA?
No, go to www.fafsa.ed.gov for instructions or call the Federal
Student Aid Information Center at (800) 4-FED-AID.
2
What is a PIN, and where do I use it?
The Personal Identification Number (PIN) serves as your identifier
to let you access your personal information in various U.S. Department of
Education systems. The PIN also allows you to sign your federal student aid
application online and allows you to correct your application data online.
You can apply for a PIN at www.pin.ed.gov. You can use your PIN to
access your financial aid data at these U.S. Department of Education
Web sites:
www.fafsa.ed.gov—You will use your PIN to complete your application,
sign it, or process corrections.
www.nslds.ed.gov—Here you can view a history of the federal student
financial aid you have received
3
I lost my PIN. What should I do?
If you have lost or forgotten your PIN, you will need to request that it
be sent to you again. If you think that someone else may know your PIN,
or you believe your PIN may have been compromised when it was lost,
FAFSA can generate a new PIN for you.
4
How can I check the status of my FAFSA application?
At any point during the processing period, you can use your PIN to
check the status of your FAFSA or to check on a correction you made to
your FAFSA.
5
6
Can I add a school code to my form?
You may either make the correction online or with your PIN.
What is the deadline for the FAFSA application?
Submit your application as early as possible, but no earlier than January
1 (prior to the start of school) and no later than May 9 (prior to the last day
of school) for the academic year you will be attending. For instance, if you
are planning to attend NBBC during the 2009–2010 school year, you may
submit your FAFSA no earlier than January 1, 2009, and no later than
May 9, 2010.
12 AS A VIP, YOUR ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR WILL BE A CURRENT STUDENT.
7
I haven’t finished my taxes yet. What should I do?
You may estimate your tax amounts for now. Once you have completed your tax forms,
make the corrections to your file on the Internet using your PIN.
Student Bios
8
Every student is different, and aid packages
are tailored to meet each student’s needs.
Here are three examples of NBBC students
and how they’re getting help with their
college bills.
Why do I have to provide my parents’ information on the FAFSA?
When you apply for federal student aid, your answers to the questions in step two will determine
whether you are considered dependent on your parents or independent. If you are considered
dependent, your parents’ income and assets as well as your own must be reported on the FAFSA.
Students are classified as dependent or independent because federal student aid programs are based
on the principle that students (and their parents or spouse, if applicable) are considered the primary
source of support for postsecondary education.
9
How can I check the status of my student loans?
You should contact the guarantor of your loan. If you don’t know who holds your loan, you
can use www.nslds.ed.gov (using your PIN) to find your federal student loans. The site displays
information on loans and/or federal grants, outstanding balances, loan statuses, and disbursements.
To use the NSLDS Student Access Web site, you will need to provide your social security number,
the first two letters of your last name, your date of birth, and your PIN.
10
I have questions about my financial aid award. Who should I contact?
Contact the Northland financial aid office at (715) 324-6900 or by e-mail, financialaid@
nbbc.edu. Your financial aid award will combine various forms of aid into a “package” to help meet
a your need. Because funds are often limited, a financial aid package might fall short of the amount a
student is eligible for.
Kristen Nelson (Junior, 2008-2009)
Hometown: Sanford, Michigan
Major: Biblical Counseling
Pell Grant = $3,381
NBBC Academic Scholarship = $3,000
Total Aid = $6,381
If you wish to speak with a person regarding a financial aid questions, please call one of the
telephone numbers below:
FAFSA: (800) 4-FED-AID
NBBC: (715) 324-6900 ext. 3150
E-mail: financialaid@nbbc.edu
www.nbbc.edu/financialaid and use the Contact Us link.
Michael Cutler (Freshman, 2008-2009)
Hometown: Lees Summit, Missouri
Major: Evangelism
Pell Grant = $4,741
Federal Supplemental Education
Opportunity Grant = $1,000
NBBC Academic Scholarship= $3,000
Academic Competitiveness Grant = $750
Federal Work Study = $1,000
Total Aid = $10,491
Jonathan Allston (Junior, 2007-2008)
Hometown: Taylors, South Carolina
Major History
Pell Grant = $4,260
NBBC Ministry Scholarship = $2,000
NBBC Heart Scholarship = $2,500
Stafford Loan = $3,000
Total Aid = $11,760
GET A GLIMPSE OF LIFE AT NORTHLAND THROUGH YOUR ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR’S SLICE OF LIFE BLOG-MAIL. 13
Key Milestones
U
se this handy reference calendar to
remind yourself of milestones you
must meet while preparing for college.
Freshman Year
Fall Term
• Schedule time to meet with your guidance
counselor and plan a strategy of courses that
will meet college entrance requirements.
•Plan ahead and study hard! The Academic
Competitiveness Grant is awarded to college
freshmen and sophomores, and is given based
on your completed high school transcript. Meet
with your guidance counselor to ensure that
your high school plans include the following
classes in order to receive this award:
1. Four years of English
2. Three years of math (including algebra I
and a higher level course such as algebra II,
geometry, or data analysis and statistics).
3. Three years of science (including at least two
courses from biology, chemistry, or physics)
4. Three years of social studies/history
5. One year of a foreign language
Sophomore Year
September
•Speak with your guidance counselor about
taking the PSAT/NMSQT and the PLAN in
preparation for the SAT and ACT.
October
•Take the PSAT/NMSQT and/or PLAN.
Sophomore-year PSAT/NMSQT scores
will not count toward the National Merit
Scholarship Competition, but it is good
practice.
December
•Receive results of PSAT/NMSQT and/or
PLAN. Consult with your guidance counselor
to investigate ways to improve your scores on
standardized tests.
Junior Year
September
•Map out a testing schedule for the coming
year, including the PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, SAT
Subject Tests, and/or ACT. Pick the test dates
that will work with your schedule, taking into
account family events, extracurricular activities,
and holidays.
•Register for the October PSAT/NMSQT.
•Meet with your guidance counselor to review
your course plan for the school year and plan
your senior schedule.
•Check your course transcript. Are you on track
to complete all the credits required by schools
you are interested in applying to?
•Begin to establish criteria for the college
search: You can request a College and Career
Decision-Making Guide through Northland’s
Admissions Office.
February
October
April
•Take the PSAT/NMSQT. Scores are important,
as they are used to qualify for the National
Merit Scholarship Competition and the
National Achievement program; plus, it’s good
practice for the SAT.
•Start doing a search for financial aid. Options
include grants, loans, and scholarships.
December
•Receive results of the PSAT/NMSQT.
Consult your guidance counselor to consider
whether an SAT prep course would be a
good investment.
14 PERSONALIZE YOUR VIP PAGE WITH THE MAJOR(S) YOU CHOOSE.
•Contact the colleges you are interested in to
find out if they prefer the ACT or the SAT.
(NBBC prefers the ACT, but does accept
the SAT.)
Spring Break
•Visit schools that interest you. Schedule a
campus visit to NBBC by calling (715) 3246900, ext. 3000. Prospective student groups
qualify for two free nights and six free meals!
•Consider registering for the May and June
SAT and ACT test dates; it’s not too early
to start testing.
•Re-evaluate your list of potential schools and
eliminate those that no longer interest you.
•Begin searching for financial aid.
May
•If you’re enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP)
classes, you will take the appropriate AP tests.
•Continue to visit colleges. Call ahead and ask
for appointments with the departments of
financial aid and admissions, academic advisors,
professors, and students.
Senior Year
September
•Continue to research financial aid options.
•Make sure you have all applications required for
financial aid and admission.
•Check admission and financial aid deadlines for
the schools you plan to apply to.
•Register for the fall ACT and/or SAT test dates
as needed.
•Obtain letters of recommendation and plan
college visits.
October
•Meet with your guidance counselor to review
your final list of colleges.
•File early decision applications if you have
made a decision.
•Attend college fairs to further investigate the
colleges where you would like to apply.
•Have official test scores sent by the testing
agency to the colleges on your short list.
November
•Start writing and editing your application essays.
•Complete your college applications (make
copies before mailing).
December
•Mail all applications.
•Schedule your college admission interviews.
January
•File the Free Application for Federal Student
Aid (FAFSA) as soon after January 1 as
possible. You can file the form online at
www.fafsa.ed.gov or request a paper form by
calling (800) 4-FED-AID (433-3243). Talk to
your counselor about special forms your state
might require.
•Request that your school send your grade
reports/transcripts to the colleges you
applied to.
•Complete your income tax forms as soon as
possible. Contact the colleges to see if they
require any other forms. If so, contact the
schools’ financial aid offices or your counselor.
•Contact the colleges and confirm that
all application materials (transcripts,
recommendations, and financial aid forms)
have been received.
Freshman
• Plan a strategy to meet college entrance and
ACG requirements.
Sophomore
• Take PSAT/NMSQT and/or PLAN in
preparation for SAT and ACT.
Junior
• Review course plan with guidance counselor
and plan senior schedule.
• Start search for financial aid.
• Visit colleges of interest.
• Take SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Test,
and/or ACT.
Senior
• Set up college interviews and visits.
• Review final college choices with guidance
counselor.
• File early action or early decision
applications.
• Take the SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject
Test, and/or ACT
and send results to colleges.
• Obtain federal and state financial
aid forms.
• Send all application materials to colleges.
• Review acceptances, and then make
a decision.
February
•If you have not received your Student Aid
Report (SAR) and more than four weeks has
passed since you filed your FAFSA, contact the
Federal Student Aid Information Center. You
can use your PIN to electronically track the
FAFSA through processing.
•Complete scholarship applications.
April
•Review acceptances and compare financial
aid packages.
May
•By May 1, you should make your decision about
which college you will attend and send in your
acceptance of the school’s offer along with any
other necessary paperwork.
•Notify other prospective colleges that you have
selected another school.
June
•Ask your counselor to forward your final
transcript to the college of your choice and
let them know of any additional financial aid
you will receive. Finally, contact the school and
determine when fees are due for tuition
and room and board.
By Sally Wood
A freelance writer and editor from Marionville, Missouri.
She worked as a high school counselor in the Aurora R-VIII
School District in Aurora, Missouri, from 1980-2000.
CONTACT ADMISSIONS@NBBC.EDU OR BECOME A VIP TO REQUEST A VIEWBOOK, INTERACTIVE CD, COURSE CATALOG, OR APPLICATION. 15
Northland can help you give BEN a break!
Ministry Scholarship
Academic Scholarship
$4,500 per year
$3,000 per year
The Ministry Scholarship, awarded to students with parents in full-time ministry, is $4,500
per year or $18,000 over the course of four years. The Academic Scholarship is $1,500 per
semester for those who qualify. In addition to these two scholarships, our Demonstrated
Need and Heart scholarships are available to all Northland students with significant need.
One quickly sees how Northland not only prepares servant-leaders for Great Commission
living, but by God’s grace through faithful donors, endeavors to keep that training as
affordable as possible.
For more information about financial aid, call us at 888-4-Northland or
go to www.nbbc.edu/financialaid.
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