Navigating Financial Aid at Northwestern University: A Comprehensive Guide

An education at Northwestern University represents a significant investment. Understanding the financial aid options and requirements is crucial for prospective and current undergraduate students. Northwestern is committed to meeting 100% of a student’s full demonstrated financial need, and this guide provides a detailed overview of the financial aid landscape at the university.

Determining Financial Need and Expected Family Contribution

Northwestern University determines financial aid eligibility based on demonstrated need. Financial need is the difference between the cost of attendance and the family contribution, adhering to nationally recognized standards. The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is calculated using information provided on the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If the EFC equals or exceeds the cost of attendance, the student will not qualify for need-based aid. The EFC for freshman-year expenses includes a portion of the student's summer earnings and 25% of their savings. Keep in mind that the actual EFC may vary based on the CSS Profile results and institutional analysis. You can estimate your family contribution for college using the College Board's EFC worksheet.

Applying for Financial Aid

To apply for financial aid, students should indicate their intention on the application for admission and submit the FAFSA, CSS Profile, and federal tax returns (or non-filing statements) for both parents and the student. Detailed instructions and deadlines are available on the Applying for Aid page of the Northwestern University website.

Components of a Financial Aid Package

The average financial aid award at Northwestern includes a student loan, part-time employment through the Federal Work-Study Program, a need-based Northwestern Scholarship, and/or federal or state grants. Grants from federal or state sources are included for all eligible students. Northwestern scholarship assistance bridges the gap between what the university determines a family can afford and the other aid for which the student qualifies. Northwestern does not award scholarships based on academic merit, reserving assistance for students who would otherwise be unable to afford to attend.

Grants and Scholarships

Northwestern Scholarships: Northwestern University awarded $190 million in scholarships to its undergraduate students in the 2018-19 school year. Some of the scholarships that Northwestern University offers its students are:
- Good Neighbor, Great University: This scholarship ranges from $1,000 to $5,500 per year and is available to graduates of high schools in Chicago and Evanston.
- Founder’s Scholarship: This scholarship averages $13,200 annually for up to four years and is available to students from middle-income families.
- Fermi Scholarship: This scholarship awards $5,000 per year and is available to children of full-time Fermi Lab employees.
- Argonne Scholarship: This scholarship awards $5,000 per year and is available to children of full-time Argonne Lab employees.
Federal Pell Grant: Eligible recipients for the Federal Pell Grant have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) on the FAFSA between $0 and $5,487 and may receive up to $6,195.
Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP): Illinois residents with a demonstrated financial need who are enrolled at least half-time at Northwestern University may be eligible for up to $5,340 per year for full-time students.

Student Loans

Students and parents can borrow loans to finance education expenses, with various loan programs available depending on financial eligibility. It is recommended to review financing needs and discuss options with a financial aid counselor.

Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan: These loans are available to students who have demonstrated a financial need on the FAFSA. The loan amount is up to $3,500 for the freshman year, $4,500 for the sophomore year, and $5,500 for each of the junior and senior years. Interest Rate: 4.53% for 2019-20. While enrolled at least half-time, the federal government pays the interest.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans: These loans are available to students who don’t qualify for subsidized loans, or to students who have partial need-based Stafford eligibility. The loan amount is Up to $5,500 for the freshman year, $6,500 for the sophomore year and $7,500 for each of the junior and senior years (minus any subsidized loans they have received).Interest Rate: 4.53% for 2019-20. Unsubsidized student loans begin accruing interest at the date of disbursement. While students are not required to pay the interest while in school, the accrued amount will be added to the principal and increase the total amount that needs to be repaid.
PLUS Loans: If you either weren’t eligible for the previous loan options, or they didn’t cover the remainder of your tuition costs, consider PLUS Loans. Loan Amount: Up to the cost of attendance, minus any other aid received. Interest Rate: 7.6% for 2018-19. 7.08% for 2019-20.
Private Student Loans: If you’ve exhausted all other financial aid and student loan options, you may consider taking out private student loans as a last resort.

Work-Study Program

About 2,200 undergraduates work on campus in libraries, departmental offices, or in community service offices. Students may earn between $500 and $4,000 per academic year through these programs. Students in the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science are eligible to participate in the Walter P. Murphy Cooperative Engineering Education Program, alternating quarters of off-campus employment with their academic work to earn substantial income during the five-year program. At Northwestern University, approximately 2,000 students take part in the program each year, where students work between six and ten hours a week.

Cost of Attendance and Tuition

The cost of attendance at Northwestern varies based on a family’s financial circumstances. For the 2024-25 academic year, tuition is $67,158. Total expenses (including fees, books, room and board, personal expenses, and transportation) are estimated at $94,878.

Enrollment Requirements and Financial Aid Adjustments

Financial aid is typically based on full-time enrollment. Full-time enrollment is defined as 3 to 5.5 units per quarter. Students enrolling in 2 to 2.9 units will be awarded funding based on the reduced charges, while those enrolling in fewer than 2 units are generally ineligible for Northwestern financial aid. Students enrolling during summer session and receiving institutional assistance may do so if the summer enrollment falls within their 4 years of eligibility.

Enrollment in more than 5.5 units during the fall, winter, or spring quarters will result in additional tuition charges, assessed at a rate of $7,960 per unit for the 2024-25 academic year. Institutional assistance is not provided for these additional overload enrollment charges.

If enrollment is less than full-time, financial aid will likely decrease, with awards adjusted proportionally to the reduction in tuition. This typically affects both the loan/work component and the scholarship component of the financial aid package.

Read also: Northwestern Kellogg Programs

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) to remain eligible for financial aid. For Northwestern students, SAP means completing at least 67 percent of the course units attempted in an academic year (e.g., completing at least 8 out of 12 quarter-courses). Students must also maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better each year. Financial aid is available for a maximum time frame, which is 150 percent of the program’s published length as measured in academic units, including all transfer credits. Students who fail to maintain SAP will lose financial aid eligibility.

Students who lose eligibility due to failing to meet SAP standards have the option to appeal. The appeal must be submitted to the Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid within two weeks of the notification. Approved appeals result in a probationary status, making the student eligible for one quarter of aid. At the end of the probationary period, students must meet the cumulative standards of SAP. Students required to submit an academic plan must meet its conditions to remain eligible.

Withdrawal and Leave of Absence

The Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid is required to recalculate federal financial aid eligibility for students who completely withdraw, drop out, are dismissed, or take a leave of absence prior to completing more than 60% of a term, and for those who do not successfully complete at least one course in a term. Students who have ceased attendance without officially withdrawing may be required to repay a portion of the federal financial aid for the term.

Additional Financial Support Programs

Northwestern offers various programs to help students manage expenses beyond tuition:

Summer Internship Grant Program (SIGP): Students who demonstrate financial need and are seeking unpaid internships or other summer experiences are eligible to apply for this program. SIGP provides $3,000 grants for living, travel, or other expenses.
Undergraduate Research Grants: The Office of Undergraduate Research offers grants to fund research endeavors. The Summer Undergraduate Research Grant is a $3,500 grant for students partaking in eight weeks of full-time independent research. The Academic Year Undergraduate Research Grant provides up to $1,000 for students enrolled in an independent study or honors thesis course.
Study Abroad Scholarships: Students can apply for scholarships through the University and externally to fund academic year and summer study abroad ventures. The Global Learning Office offers several study abroad scholarships for students intending to participate in an NU or University-affiliated study abroad program.
Northwestern Career Advancement (NCA) Funding: NCA supports undergraduate students with funding for internship, career- and school-related interview travel and clothing, as well as graduate school applications and preparation. Awards are given based on a student’s financial need, with one-time funding up to $300 for interview attire and up to $600 for graduate school-related expenses.
Student Activities Assistance Fund (SAAF): SAAF covers up to $600 per year for students to participate in NU student organizations.
Books for Cats: This Student Enrichment Services program allows students receiving financial aid to borrow course materials (like textbooks) and chemistry lab materials for selected courses.
University Library Loaner Program: NU students can request loaner Dell laptops and iPads from the University Library on a first-come, first-served basis. Undergraduate students can request a 14-day or quarter loan for laptops and 14-day loans for the iPad Air 3 and Apple Pencils. The University Library Loaner Program also provides an option to borrow a laptop for four years.
Discounted Hardware and Software: NU students have access to discounted hardware and software options from major University-preferred vendors like Dell, as well as discounted electronic accessories from CDW-G.
NU-SHIP: NU-SHIP is a university program that provides students with health insurance under Aetna that satisfies the University’s health coverage requirements.
Winter Gear Program: Low-income NU students can receive winter gear through SES’s Winter Gear program.
Professional Attire: NCA provides students with professional and business casual attire to wear for career-related activities such as interviews and internships.
Purple Pantry: SES provides students experiencing food insecurity with free snacks and groceries, accommodating dietary restrictions.
Wildcard Discounts: NU students can get discounts at over 300 participating businesses by presenting a valid Wildcard.
Emergency Funding: The University also provides emergency funding to support students who may be experiencing unexpected financial circumstances.

Transportation and Academic Resources

The University provides several options to save money on transportation throughout campus and from Evanston to Chicago. Using your Wildcard, you can ride on any of the University-provided shuttles. You can also bike around Evanston on the bike lanes. The Office of Academic Support and Learning Advancement offers free resources to help you succeed academically, from peer-guided study groups and workshops to drop-in peer tutoring and academic coaching. NU Libraries have online research tools and reference materials to support students with academic pursuits.

Read also: GPA and SAT/ACT for Northwestern

Special Circumstances

In some unfortunate cases, a student might have suffered in some way such that they have been separated from their parent or parents. Federal guidance defines these cases as "Unusual Circumstances". In these cases, it might be necessary that a student is determined to be "independent" for purposes of federal financial aid. Federal guidance provides examples such as human trafficking, refugee or asylee status, parental abandonment, incarceration of parents…etc.

If you are unable to manage the expected contribution due to changes in their financial circumstances (e.g., job loss, income reduction, etc.), you might request a Special Circumstances Review.

Loan Code of Conduct

Northwestern University's Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid adheres to the Code of Conduct with regard to student loans as established by the Higher Education Opportunity Act as well as the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators' (NASFAA) Statement of Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct for Institutional Financial Aid Professionals.

International Student Aid

Given limited funding for non-domestic applicants, international applicants requesting financial aid are evaluated as a separate group. Financial need is a consideration in the admission decision for international students.

Fee Waivers

Northwestern is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive campus community of students from every financial background. See the Application Fee Waiver page for more information.

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