Four people sit at a table with open laptops, attentively looking toward the front of a brightly lit room.

Elevate student access

Turning obstacles into opportunities

Breaking down barriers to higher education

Every student deserves access to an excellent education—but for many, cost remains the greatest barrier. They want to graduate and know their investment in a college degree will pay off—a degree that sets them up for careers of consequence, equipped with the knowledge, skills, and connections that will support them from the moment they turn their tassel.

Dayana Amaya walks along pedway wearing navy blue NAU jersey
Three students walk together outside on a sunny day near a modern campus building, with trees and grass surrounding them.

Scholarships

Investing in future leaders


We are on a mission to ensure that cost never stands in the way of ambition. At NAU, 97 percent of students receive financial aid—keeping our average graduate’s debt at nearly half the national average. But, housing, meals, textbooks, and transportation add up quickly, especially for first-generation students who make up 40 percent of NAU’s undergraduate population. By investing in scholarships, you offset these costs, allowing students to focus on their studies instead of their finances.

97%

of NAU students receive financial aid

40%

of NAU undergraduate students identify as first-generation

1/2

of the national average — that’s the typical debt of our graduates

A woman in a blue dress stands on a desert path beside tall cacti and dry landscaping, with modern adobe-style buildings in the background.
“Scholarships open doors not just for me, but for my entire family, since this is a journey none of us has experienced before…Getting a degree isn’t just a personal goal; it lays the foundation for a future dedicated to giving back to the community that helped me get to where I stand today.” Dayana Amaya, ’29 Student, The W. A. Franke College of Business

WHY GIVE

Elevate scholarship support

Your investment in scholarships will help break down barriers. A gift of $50,000 supports one student for an academic year; $500,000 supports ten. Your generosity opens doors and gives students the freedom to focus on learning.

Make a gift

Stories of impact

View all
Access for students

A lasting legacy of learning and dialogue

The late NAU custodian James Barrett left a planned gift to support future teachers and establish a lecture series.
Access for students

One family’s lasting impact on NAU Athletics

The Beemillers have built a multigenerational legacy at NAU through their support of student-athletes.

Alumni connection

New challenge boosted local participation this NAU Giving Day

The first-of-its-kind challenge drew new donors and helped drive participation in NAU’s most successful Giving Day to date.