National UniversityReviews of nu.edu

the fa backlog now causing many in school deferment loans to enter repayment. It's odd; the system update was supposed to be from June 5-14. It's been 2 months. Currently, no disbursements can occur for tuition or stipends. Advisers cannot update NSDLs or COD. Many students now claim they are receiving notifications from EdFinancial that their in-school deferments are about to end in 30 days due to a lack of NSDLs or updates to COD regarding their enrollment. This means they enter repayment, and if they miss a payment, it triggers defaults, which hurt credit, block incoming disbursements, and prevent any new FA student loans. It's dangerous, and advisers, even when handed a school deferment form, will not fill it out and say they cannot update the enrollment status in the system. Many students will be forced to withdraw after about a month—action needed. There is no progress whatsoever toward a financial aid fix. It's been 70 days, and I haven't had any tuition or stipend disbursement. Every time I call, the adviser cannot disburse any aid or update COD or NSDLS. I cannot feed myself or pay bills as I depend on stipends. No time frame has been given for when the issue will be fixed. After the current course ends in 4 weeks, I have 2 course disbursements not released, and I am midway through the 2nd course with nothing disbursed so far. Due to loan overlap, when I apply for Grad Plus loans again for the next 6 academic award-year courses, it won't be possible, as 2 prior disbursements haven't occured. The first course of the new academic award year will remain unpaid because award letters will not be processed in time due to a massive backlog, and without an award letter, no aid. I have been billed for 2 courses so far. The backlog is gonna last for months and force withdrawals, as students in school deferment can't have their deferments renewed. I have submitted multiple escalations to release my prior course funds, and nothing. I keep hearing Come back next week and nothing. I have no spending funds. I had to call in for escalation, as my adviser, Michael, offered no help and kept saying the system is down. My current course funds are now behind too. I need my in-school deferment to be applied, but I have no way to do so, as I am still enrolled.

I have contacted the financial aid team at this school several times regarding my student loan disbursement, and I have received conflicting information each time. I was originally told that my funds would be disbursed around July 29, which was approximately 30 days after my start date. When that date passed and I still had not received my funds, I was then told the disbursement would occur 15 days after that date. I am now at the point where my class is almost over, and I still have not received the money I am owed. What makes this even more frustrating is that StudentAid.gov shows my loan as disbursed to the school, while the school continues to tell me that disbursements are paused. I have repeatedly contacted the school trying to get a clear explanation and a definitive date for when my funds will actually be released, but I have not received a satisfactory answer. Students depend on financial aid to pay for school and basic living expenses. Being given multiple different dates and then having the funds continue to be held for weeks is extremely stressful and unacceptable. I understand that financial aid processing can sometimes experience delays, but the lack of clear communication and the constantly changing information has been very disappointing. At this point, I am asking for transparency, accountability, and the prompt release of any funds that I am legally entitled to receive.

While the professors are great, and the advisors do their best, this "system update" that was supposed to be complete 2 months ago still isn't functioning. No idea how this school isn't getting sued left and right when students can not access their degree audits or financial aid in any way whatsoever for months on end. Calling is pointless, advisors are not able to access your financial aid info. Registrar takes forever to get anything done. Very disappointing experience to say the least.

I have been nothing but patient with this university, and honestly, the university's handling of this situation is mind-blowing and extremely disappointing. I have now been waiting 30 days for my grade to be corrected because the university entered the wrong grade into the system. This is not simply a minor administrative issue — it is directly affecting my financial aid and my ability to move forward with my education. The delay of my financial aid has continued since April 16, 2026, and I have contacted Randi May to help solve this problem. Unfortunately, I have only received one message from this person, and I have personally sent two emails that have gone unanswered. I have been patient. I have followed up. I have given the university ample opportunity to correct a mistake that was not my fault. Yet I am still left waiting, with my education and financial situation hanging in the balance. The unresolved issue prevents me from attending another school, which adds to my frustration. I have never experienced anything like this, and it honestly breaks my heart to feel like I may have to take further action just to get a university to correct an error that they made. Students should not fight this hard to correct their records and receive the financial aid they deserve. Communication and accountability matter, especially when a university's mistake can have such a serious impact on someone's education and finances. I sincerely hope someone in administration takes this situation seriously and resolves it immediately. At this point, I am considering taking this matter further because I have exhausted my patience and have not received the communication or resolution I deserve.

Placement for this school is awful. They do not know my graduation date when I ask about it because it depends on when I will finish my program, and that depends on everything is a "maybe".

1-Star Review My experience with National University’s financial aid office has been extremely frustrating. I am still waiting for my 2025–2026 financial aid disbursement, and despite repeatedly contacting advisors, I have received nothing but different explanations and excuses instead of clear answers or a resolution.

Each time I call, I wait on hold for five minutes or more, only for the call to disconnect. I have been unable to get any meaningful information regarding my financial aid, and I have not received a disbursement since January. As a result, all of my bills are behind, and my credit score has suffered significantly. It is now the end of July, and I have only two classes remaining before graduation. I find it extremely frustrating that I am expected to continue meeting my academic obligations while receiving little to no communication about the status of my financial aid. The lack of transparency and support has created an unnecessary financial hardship during what should be the final stretch of my degree program. I used to recommend this university to my family and friends because of the positive experiences I had in the past. Unfortunately, this situation has completely changed my opinion. I can no longer recommend the school in good faith, and I now advise others to consider pursuing their education elsewhere. At this point, I feel I have exhausted every reasonable avenue to obtain answers. If this matter is not resolved promptly, I will have no choice but to explore my options, including seeking legal advice.

My experience with National University’s Financial Aid department has been horrendous. I started attending NU in February, and nearly six months later I am still dealing with two major unresolved financial aid issues. First, my Direct Unsubsidized Loan was originally approximately $17,000 and was later reduced to approximately $10,000, with no satisfactory explanation for such a significant decrease. Second, my Grad PLUS loan still has not even been packaged, despite completing everything requested and repeatedly being assured it would be processed. At one point, I was specifically told it had been processed through NU’s legacy system, only to later receive conflicting information that it would not be processed. The financial consequences have been significant. I have fallen behind on my mortgage and even provided NU documentation showing my financial hardship. I was told my case would be escalated and that a supervisor would contact me, but nobody ever did. Even more concerning, student loan debt has been showing on my credit report for approximately a month and accruing interest, while I have not received the corresponding funds. Had NU told me months ago that my Grad PLUS would not be processed or that my Unsubsidized Loan would be reduced by thousands of dollars, I could have made completely different financial decisions. Instead, I have spent nearly six months calling, emailing, receiving conflicting answers, and waiting for promised follow-ups that never happen. For students who depend on financial aid or Grad PLUS loans, I would strongly recommend considering another university. Had I known I would spend nearly six months dealing with reduced aid, an unpackaged Grad PLUS loan, conflicting information, and unanswered escalation requests, I would have chosen a different school. Based on my experience, I cannot recommend National University.