Skip to main content

Consumer Information

The Higher Education Opportunity Act requires all colleges and universities participating in federal student aid programs to provide access to general institutional and financial aid information. Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) has provided the information below in compliance with the federal law.

The contact information provided is made available to provide assistance with obtaining or understanding any required consumer information related to financial assistance, institutional information, completion, graduation, transfer-out and retention rates, and institutional security policies and crime statistics as well as any request for a disclosure in print.

Southern New Hampshire University offers innovative and affordable undergraduate and graduate programs across different platforms. Campus and hybrid online programs will help you turn your passion into your profession. SNHU offers more than 200 career-focused online college degrees and certificates. SNHU offers accredited and customized learning solutions for companies through our workforce partnerships which build upon our competency-based learning expertise and a track record of student success.

Southern New Hampshire University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

SNHU has articulation agreements which are formal agreements with other higher education institutions that document the transfer policies for a specific academic program.

The SNHU Career Services teams work with students throughout their academic experience as well as after graduation to build professional tools needed to succeed in the workplace. SNHU does not participate in any job placement services.

The College Navigator provides SNHU data in an easy accessible manner to include general information, tuition, fees and estimated student expenses, financial aid, net price, enrollment, admission, retention and graduation rates, programs/majors, service members and veterans, varsity athletic teams, accreditation, campus security, and cohort default rates.

SNHU requires all members of the University community to comply with all state and federal copyright laws.

SNHU is dedicated to providing equal access to individuals with disabilities, in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008.

  • Education Programming Disclosure Information

Professional licensure, certification, endorsement, and salary benefit requirements for educators vary from state to state and district to district. Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) cannot guarantee licensure, certification, endorsement, or salary benefits. It is the students' responsibility to understand and comply with requirements in the state where they intend to work as an administrator or teacher. Students seeking licensure in states other than New Hampshire are solely responsible for determining whether they are eligible for licensure, and before beginning the program, confirming the precise requirements that must be satisfied to be licensed in that state. Students specifically seeking a New Hampshire certificate must meet all requirements, policies, and protocols included in the program approval(s) granted to Southern New Hampshire University by the State Department of Education.

SNHU professors are leaders in their fields who are committed to doing more, learning more, and caring more than they have to. Our full-time and adjunct professors possess extensive academic, career and life experience. Direct Assessment Competency-Based Education programs do not involve faculty.

  • Financial Information

The University complies with public disclosure of financial information as required by applicable regulatory bodies and will review any individual requests for audited financial statements on a case-by-case basis.

SNHU offers a high-quality, affordable education along with unparalleled support, whether you're pursuing your education at our traditional campus or working on an online degree, the entire SNHU community, from academic advisors to faculty to our network of successful alumni, will be there to help you achieve your goals, from day one to graduation and beyond.

  • Net Price Calculator

The SNHU Net Price Calculator uses institutional data to provide estimated net price for current and prospective students and their families based on a student's individual circumstances. This calculator allows students to calculate an estimated net price of attendance (defined as cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships) based on what similar SNHU students paid in the previous year. Direct Assessment Competency-Based Education students should use the CfA Net Price Calculator.

Users of SNHU equipment, software and computer accounts are expected to follow acceptable standards of ethics and conduct in their use of computing resources. The SNHU acceptable use policy outlines our standards and the disciplinary actions taken against users who violate this policy.

  • NH State Certification & Licensure

Earning Certification Online
Students who successfully complete a certification program at Southern New Hampshire University may be recommended to the State of New Hampshire Board of Education for initial or secondary NH State Licensure. Students teaching in states other than New Hampshire are responsible for checking with their state board of education to determine reciprocity or other inter-state agreements between NH and their home, teaching state.

Reciprocity, What Does It Really Mean?
In most cases, reciprocity does not allow for an automatic transfer of initial teacher licensure from one state to another state. Requirements for educators differ from state to state, thus there may be more tests, courses, fieldwork and/or workshops that you will have to complete to be fully licensed in another state. Similarly, secondary licensure may have additional requirements depending on your state. For the most part, after processing the initial paperwork states under an interstate agreement will issue you a "temporary" license for a period of one to two years, giving you this time to complete any requirements that you may be missing. It is very important to know what the licensure requirements are for the state to which you wish to transfer your license.

Students seeking secondary NH licensure at Southern New Hampshire University are responsible for identifying the licensure requirements within their state of teacher employment.

Consistent with all applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and ordinances (e.g. Title III, Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended), and in recognition of its responsibilities to its faculty, staff, and students as well as to the communities in which it operates, Southern New Hampshire University reaffirms its continuing commitment to afford qualified or qualifiable individuals equal access and equal opportunity within the University. To ensure equal access and equal opportunity, Southern New Hampshire University shall not discriminate against any individual or group because of race, color, creed, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, citizenship, marital or parental status, disability (including intellectual disability), age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, veteran/military status, genetic information, or on any other legally prohibited basis.

  • Nursing Programs

SNHU nursing programs are not authorized in the state of Washington or US territories and we are not accepting students residing in Washington state or US territories into Nursing programs at this time. Currently enrolled students who move into the state of Washington or a US territory will not be able to continue in nursing courses until they move out of the state of Washington or the US territory. Prospective students are encouraged to contact Admission, and current students should contact their Advisor, for more information. 

The MSN Family Nurse Practitioner track is only available to students living in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, Vermont, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, New Jersey. Students must reside in one of these states while taking FNP courses at SNHU, and all practicum experiences must be completed in one of these states. SNHU expects students to complete their practicum experiences in their state of domicile, as reported by the student during the application/admission process. Any student looking to change their state of domicile and/or complete their practicum experience in a different state (listed herein), may face interruptions or delays in their program. Students are responsible for reporting any change to their state of domicile immediately to academic advising. Please note that the family nurse practitioner track is accepting applications from a limited number of students per term. All other nursing program tracks are available to students living in every state except Washington or US territories.  

The reauthorization of the Higher Education Act includes provisions that are designed to reduce the illegal uploading and downloading of copyrighted works through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing. This SNHU policy outlines the University's plan to effectively combat unauthorized distribution, alternatives to illegal file sharing, and our effectiveness reviews.

The SNHU FERPA Student Right to Privacy policy outlines the student rights with respect to his/her education records, defines SNHU directory information and the Solomon Amendment, and provides contact information for the registrar's office.

Our privacy policy was developed as an extension of our commitment to combine the highest-quality products and services with the highest level of integrity.

  • Professional Licensure

Requirements for professional licensure in disciplines such as accounting, counseling, education and nursing vary among states as do the educational requirements for certain professional certifications. SNHU provides state licensing guidance and professional certification information for students within the Licensure and Certification Disclosures page.

SNHU maintains a list of written arrangements with other higher education institutions which outlines portions of specific educational program offerings.

State Authorization is a law specified in the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 that requires higher education institutions to obtain formal permission/approval to conduct regulated activities within its borders. Because Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) has students residing across the United States, the institution is required to obtain each state’s approval (State Authorization) to operate based on the activities it conducts in a state.

In some states, SNHU is exempt from seeking approval to operate, while in other states SNHU has permission to operate via an affiliation with the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC SARA).

SNHU strives at all times to provide the highest quality of service and the best student experience possible. In the event of a serious complaint against the University that cannot be resolved, SNHU provides a comprehensive contact list of home state authorizing agencies.

SNHU campus students can choose from more than 60 clubs and organizations. SNHU online students can get involved through SNHUconnect.

The Enrollment Tab of the College Navigator provides a breakdown of the SNHU student body diversity, including the percentage of enrolled, full-time students in the following categories: gender and self-identified ethnic groups while the Financial Aid tab provides Federal Pell Grant recipient data.

SNHU must annually provide a Title II report to the state of New Hampshire and the general public for programs that prepare teachers for initial state certification or licensure. This report includes information about goals, assurances, pass rates, and program information.

SNHU must disclose within the Internet Course Schedule the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) and retail price information of required and recommended textbooks and supplemental material for each course listed. If applicable, SNHU must include on the written course schedule a notice that textbook information is available on the Internet course schedule and the Internet address for the schedule. SNHU will provide information to the college bookstore upon request.

The SNHU Transfer Credit policy outlines the transfer and external credit policies and procedures for undergraduate and graduate students. All study abroad credits and grades that are earned oversees at one of our partner universities will apply directly toward an SNHU degree. Only official transcripts sent directly from the issuing institution are considered for transfer credit. Electronic transcripts can be considered official if they are sent by an approved and secure file transfer system. Credit considered for transfer must be from the issuing institution; transfer credit posted on another institution's transcript will not be accepted.

As an accredited institution, SNHU’s credits are generally accepted by other colleges and universities. Students who wish to transfer their credit elsewhere are responsible for verifying the transferability of credit prior to enrollment. The decision to accept transfer credits is at the discretion of the receiving institution and SNHU does not guarantee that courses will transfer.

Credit for Prior Learning comprises the processes and practices of determining if knowledge gained in a variety of settings, may warrant consideration of college credit. To be eligible for prior learning credit students must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at SNHU. Official documentation that can be authenticated is required. For evaluating non-traditional learning experiences, SNHU recognizes the services of American Council on Education (ACE) and National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS).

  • Tuition and Fees

Working toward a degree is a smart investment in your future - and at Southern New Hampshire University, it's an affordable one, too. We keep our costs low, and financial aid is available to those who qualify. Additional tuition and fee information:

An official withdrawal refers to an action taken by the student at SNHU to discontinue his/her enrollment. Students who use federal financial aid and/or military benefits and fail all courses in a term will be reviewed for participation. Students who cease participation in graded activities before completing through 60% of the term will be classified as receiving an "unearned F" which is defined as an unofficial withdrawal.

Financial Assistance Information

Every student should complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility for federal financial aid programs if financial assistance is needed, Students and their families should understand the FAFSA process, eligibility requirements to apply with the FAFSA, dependency status, and the importance and use of the Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID.

SNHU has established a Title IV Loan Code of Conduct for which all employees and agents must comply to avoid any conflict of interest with financial institutions. SNHU also adheres to the NASFAA Code of Conduct to provide accurate unbiased information and the NASFAA Statement of Ethical Principles to advocate for students, maintain the highest level of integrity, support student access and success, comply with federal and state laws, strive for transparency and clarity, and protect the privacy of financial aid applicants.

  • Consumer Tools for College Choice

    The following consumer information tools can assist students in making informed decisions about higher education options:

    • College Scorecard - a planning tool and resource to assist prospective students and families to evaluate higher education options.
    • Paying for College - a planning tool to compare up to three schools at a time and receive detailed financial information on each one and enter actual financial aid award information.
    •  TA Decide - If utilizing DoD's Tuition Assistance programs, this tool assimilates more than ten recognized and trusted data sources from across the departments of Defense, Education, and Veterans Affairs.

Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of the student's educational expenses to maintain a reasonable/moderate standard of living for a period of enrollment and is not the amount paid directly to Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). The COA is used when calculating a student's eligibility for financial aid only. The COA includes both direct costs (tuition, fees and on campus living expenses paid directly to SNHU if applicable) and indirect costs (living, books, transportation and personal expenses).

Online entrance counseling is a requirement for all first-time Direct Loan borrowers which assists students to understand how the Direct Loan program and the obligation of repayment upon signing the Master Promissory Note (MPN) obligation, how to manage education expenses and to understand the rights and responsibilities as a borrower.

Direct Loan borrowers are required to complete exit counseling when graduating, stopping attendance or a drop below half-time enrollment. Exit counseling reviews borrowing history, servicer information, monthly payments, repayment plans, and strategies for successful repayment.

  • Federal Student Aid Fraud Statement

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) actively seeks to protect students, agencies, and the educational system at large from potential fraud, identity theft, or other unlawful activities. For this purpose, SNHU reserves the right to request additional documentation and suspend financial aid eligibility pending the resolution of any conflicting information received during the admission, financial aid, or registration process. Please see the Department of Education CFR 668.16 for additional information regarding fraud prevention regulations.

  • Financial Aid Programs

    There are several need-based and non-need based federal, state, local, private and institutional student financial assistance programs available to SNHU students.

    • Federal, State, Grants and Scholarships - SNHU offers several types of need and non-need based grants and scholarships to help students meet the cost of the University's education. Grants and scholarships do not need to be repaid. 
    • Federal Work-Study - Federal Work-Study is a need-based program that allows undergraduate and graduate students to earn money through part-time employment to help pay education costs.
    • Student and Parent Loans - Federal Loan programs include the Federal Direct Subsidized Loan, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, Federal Parent PLUS Loan, and Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan. Alternative loans are educational loans through a private lender. All loans are borrowed funds that require repayment in accordance with signed promissory notes.

All financial aid award offers are based on enrollment pattern, and are dependent upon a determination of eligibility based on grade level, whether or not priority application deadlines have been met (if applicable), and other program specific criteria at the time of the award offer. All undergraduate and graduate degree programs are eligible by the Department of Education to use federal financial aid to assist with the cost of an SNHU education. Enrollment in a program of study abroad approved for credit by SNHU is considered enrollment for the purposes of applying for federal student financial aid as well. The following information and disclosures are aggregated in this section:

  • Rights and Responsibilities - Students are obligated to know and understand their rights and responsibilities as a financial aid applicant, recipient, student loan borrower, and federal work-study employee.
  • Awarding of Aid - Students should understand the (1) Financial Need calculation and (2) the Non-need Based Aid calculation used with the Cost of Attendance (COA) and the Student Aid Index (SAI) to determine a student's financial aid award.
  • Reporting Additional Financial Aid Awards - Students are required to report all outside assistance received for attending SNHU (i.e.: military benefits, employer reimbursement, outside scholarships, etc.)
  • Over-awards of Aid - SNHU is required to resolve any over-award situation that may occur due to enrollment changes, notification of additional aid sources, FAFSA corrections, etc. Overawards may result in a balance due to the University which is the responsibility of the student.
  • College Financing Plan - SNHU complies with the Principles of Excellence Executive Order and participates in the Department of Defense Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum (DoD MOU) to provide the Financial Aid Shopping Sheet to all military affiliated students awarded federal student aid.
  • Verification - Verification requires that the University review additional documents to verify the information reported on the FAFSA for the student, parent(s) and spouse.
  • Secondary Confirmation - SNHU reserves the right to select any student's file for secondary confirmation which requires additional documents to prove identity to prevent Title IV fraud and abuse.
  • Enrollment Requirements for Aid - Aid is awarded based off of average enrollment and is disbursed based off of actual enrollment in the payment period.
  • Disbursement of Aid - Financial aid is paid (disbursed) through an academic year or remaining period of study during each payment period or academic term based on program with eligibility checks to confirm attendance, program, enrollment and the completion of loan requirements.
  • Use of Aid - SNHU applies federal financial aid directly to institutional charges (tuition, fees, on campus housing, book vouchers, etc.) only and any remaining funds are released to the student in form of a refund. Students may electronically authorize the use of Title IV to pay non-institutional charges and parents may authorize Parent PLUS loans through a paper-form process.
  • Credit Balances and Refunds - SNHU provides Title IV students a method to purchase books and supplies prior to the beginning of the term through a book voucher program or Penmen Cash account based off of academic program. Students may opt out by not using the process provided. SNHU processes refunds through BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc. For more information about BankMobile Disbursements, visit this link: https://disbursements.bmtx.com/refundchoices/.
  • Financial Aid Penalties for Drug Law Violations - If a student, receiving Title IV funding, has been convicted of an offense involving the possession or sale of illegal drugs while enrolled, then the student become ineligible to receive Title IV funds.
  • Duration and Renewal of Aid - Federal financial aid is awarded one academic year at a time and the FAFSA is required to be renewed on or after October 1st each year.

Southern New Hampshire University has an 80-year history of helping military service members and their families pursue an education, at home and abroad. SNHU offers discounts for active-duty service members and their spouses working toward an online degree. In addition SNHU also accepts Tuition Assistance (TA), Post-9/11 GI Bill®, Montgomery GI Bill® benefits, and Veteran Readiness and Employment benefits. SNHU also participates in the Yellow Ribbon program that funds tuition and fee expenses that exceed the tuition and fee amounts payable under the Post-9/11 GI Bill®.

Although NSLDS is still available for students, currently FSA is moving toward a consolidation of all websites to a “onestop shop” at studentaid.gov. Students will be able to get student aid information collected from NSLDS by logging into studentaid.gov using their FSA credentials. See FSA Partners for more information.

SNHU does not recommend, promote or endorse any lenders, nor do they have any preferred lender agreements. SNHU does provide a historical list of private loans that SNHU students have used in the last three completed financial aid years.

Alternative loans are private education loans through a private lender to help finance the unmet cost of attendance at SNHU. Private lenders are required to provide disclosures through the application and approval process. A self-certification form is required during the application disclosure that will review and record your cost of attendance and estimated financial assistance for your period of enrollment to be covered by the private loan.

Students who drop and/or officially withdraw from coursework at SNHU may be eligible to receive a refund of tuition and other institutional charges. Where required SNHU also adheres to specific state refund policies.

Return of Title IV funds requirements apply to a federal grant or loan recipient who officially or unofficially withdraws from Southern New Hampshire University before completing the payment period.

Return of Military Tuition Assistance applies to all TA recipients who officially or unofficially withdraw from Southern New Hampshire University before completing a term.

Your financial aid award letter will list all of the financial aid offered to you, which may consist of a combination of federal grants, federal work-study, federal loans, and if you're an on campus traditional student, institutional scholarships and grants. Review the financial aid award terms and conditions to ensure you fully understand your rights and responsibilities as a recipient of financial aid at SNHU.

To be eligible and continue to receive Federal Student Aid (FSA) on an annual basis, students must make satisfactory academic progress toward achieving and completing their program of study through measurement of qualitative (grade-based) and quantitative (time-based) standards.

SNHU has an established Tier 1 arrangement with BMTX, Inc. for the delivery of Title IV student refunds and this contract disclosure provides the refunds agreement, and amendments.

Health and Safety

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act requires that institutions which participate in Federal student aid programs provide information to the public regarding campus safety and security, as well as fire safety, policies, procedures and statistics. This SNHU Annual Security Report includes Information for victims of sexual violence, discrimination and harassment, information for crime victims about disciplinary hearings, Emergency Response and Evacuation Procedures, Timely Warnings, Crime Log, Fire Safety Policies, Fire Statistics, and Fire Logs. SNHU will provide a paper copy upon request.

The mission of the SNHU Public Safety office is to continually enhance public safety and the quality of life for those living, working and visiting our academic community.

SNHU is committed to maintaining an environment of teaching and learning that is free from illicit drugs and alcohol.

SNHU is committed to the safety and security of students, faculty, staff and visitors to our campuses. To support that commitment we formed a crisis management team which worked with University officials to develop a crisis management plan. The plan has been reviewed and approved by officials at the State of New Hampshire Division of Public Safety.

The vaccination policy applies to all residential students, all full time undergraduate students, all international students and all full time graduate day students taking classes on the Manchester NH campus.

Student Outcomes

The 3-year cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year. The U.S. Department of Education releases official cohort default rates once per year. The three most recent three-year official cohort default rates for SNHU may be viewed on the Cohort Default Rates tab of the College Navigator.

  • Financial Aid & Debt on College Scorecard

    Students and families may review the Financial Aid and Debt tab on the College Scorecard, an online tool created by the U.S Department of Education, for the following federal student loan information for SNHU borrowers:

    • Repayment Rate - The three year repayment rate percentage for SNHU borrowers compared to the national average.
    • Students Receiving Federal Loans - The share of SNHU undergraduate students who borrowed federal loans to help pay for college. Excludes Federal Direct Parent PLUS loans.
    • Monthly Student Loan Payment - The median monthly loan payment for SNHU students who completed, if the federal loans were repaid over ten years at a defined interest rate.
    • Typical Total Debt - The median federal debt of SNHU undergraduate borrowers who completed. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes Federal Direct Parent PLUS loans and private student loans.

SNHU reports disaggregated graduation rates by gender, major racial and ethnic subgroup, recipients of a Federal Pell Grant, recipients of a Subsidized Direct Loan who did not receive a Federal Pell Grant, and by students who did not receive either a Federal Pell Grant or a Subsidized Direct Loan. SNHU does not measure and report transfer out rates.

  • Graduate and Professional Education

SNHU does not collect graduate and professional education data. NHES collects New Hampshire, county specific data related to Graduate and Professional Degree educational attainment. In addition, The NH Department of Education maintains educational research data as well as the most current IPEDS data.

  • Placement in Employment

SNHU does not calculate placement rates in employment for any academic program unless required by programmatic accreditors.

Retention Rates provided by College Navigator measure the percentage of full-time, first-time and part-time, first-time students who are seeking bachelor's degrees who return to the institution to continue their studies the following fall, as reported to IPEDS.

Athletics

All schools participating in Title IV, HEA Student Financial Aid programs that enroll students who are offered athletically related student aid are required to produce a report by July 1 each year for disaggregated graduation rates for athletes by gender, major racial and ethnic subgroup, recipients of a Federal Pell Grant, recipients of a Subsidized Direct Loan who did not receive a Federal Pell Grant, and by students who did not receive either a Federal Pell Grant or a Subsidized Direct Loan. SNHU does not measure and report transfer out rates for athletes.

This annual report is a requirement of the Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA) which requires a school that has an intercollegiate athletic program to make prospective students aware of its commitment to providing equitable athletic opportunities for its male and female students. The direct link is https://ope.ed.gov/athletics/#/institution/details. SNHU will provide a paper copy upon request.

Other Information

  • Constitution Day

SNHU is required to provide an educational program annually, on September 17th, to commemorate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.

SNHU provides a New Hampshire Voter Registration Guide for our Manchester NH campus students.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by the VA is available at the official U.S. government website.