With March 1 approaching soon, the priority deadline for financial aid consideration is near.

Nearly half of NIU’s 23,248 students receive financial assistance through various programs, including scholarships, grants, loans and student employment. But not all who apply receive these privileges because of limited funding.

To secure financial aid, officials recommend applying early, responding quickly to requests for additional information and accepting awards immediately.

Workshops are available for student applicants who need assistance. They’re designed to help with early completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the NIU Financial Aid Verification Form, and no appointment is necessary. A counseling staff also is available by appointment to help locate various awards and other aid options.

Inali Saghu, an NIU financial aid adviser, recommends that students with both filled and unfilled applications attend the workshops.

“Even if you have not completed the paperwork,” Saghu said, “bring it to the workshops and we can help you if you’re having trouble. If your forms are completed, attending could possibly cut down processing time for up to one month.”

Kyle Mount, a sophomore pre-computer science major, receives the federal Perkins and Stafford loan, which covers his tuition. He said the workshops cleared up some questions he had.

“Due to family situations,” Mount said, “I had to explore financial aid opportunities to attend college. The counselors I talked to were extremely helpful and guided me to the best options. Now, my books and tuition are completely covered.”

Private scholarship information is provided through NIU, but in-house endowments also are available. These are various scholarships sponsored by alumni and other donors for use only at NIU. Specific requirements must be met to receive these scholarships.

Traci Genslinger, a freshman elementary education major, is one of more than 50 students using an NIU alumni merit scholarship.

“Along with some private financial aid, the alumni scholarship helped give me just enough to begin college,” Genslinger said.