National UniversityReviews of nu.edu

DO NOT enroll to this school. Especially for graduate studies. Here is an email I received from an advisor today...No answers or solutions, just blame on FA department. When they stated it was their "system update" originally that caused this issue: "At this time, National University is still experiencing delays related to the recent system transition and the processing of federal financial aid funding. Although your financial aid information may have already been reviewed or packaged, the University is still waiting to receive the applicable funds from the Department of Education. Unfortunately, we do not currently have a confirmed date for when those funds will be received by National University, and because of that, I am unable to provide an exact date for when your financial aid disbursement or stipend/refund will be processed. Once the funding is received and processed by the University, your eligible financial aid will first be applied toward any outstanding tuition and fees. Any remaining eligible credit balance will then be processed for disbursement to you as your stipend/refund. I understand how important these funds can be, and I know the continued uncertainty can be frustrating. Please know that the delay does not mean that your eligible funding has been lost. We are continuing to monitor the situation and will provide updates as additional information becomes available. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding during this transition"

Run away from this school. I've been at NU for a whole year and they still haven't processed any of my student loans. In recent months, it has become apparent that they are not processing any financial aid for most students. The entire institution is a mess right now, and they're making life miserable for thousands of students with their incompetent and shady behavior.

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.

Financial aid dispersement is insanely slow. If you're choosing between online universities, choose one that isn't 3 months behind on financial aid dispersal for students like National University is. I've contacted financial aid many times with no responses from them. I've filed complaints with FAFSA. I've seen other students have their graduation delayed because the university is so far behind on dispersing financial aid for courses that are already finished. It's really bad. I would have gone elsewhere if I'd known what a joke their financial aid department is.

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".