Financial Aid for International Students

Northwestern University will offer need-based financial aid awards to a small group of first-year international students. Citizens of foreign countries who apply under Regular Decision for financial aid will be reviewed as a separate group.

The usual selective admission criteria are the main factors in the admission committee's decision. In addition and unlike the process for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, the amount of financial aid needed by an applicant may also be a factor in a final admission decision. As a result of this need-aware approach and the limited funds available to students, Northwestern's acceptance rate for international applicants requesting aid is less favorable than the rate of acceptance for those students not requesting aid.

Only those students who apply for and receive financial aid for their freshman year will be eligible to receive financial assistance in subsequent years. There is no financial aid available for international transfer applicants or international students applying under Early Decision.

How to Apply:

Submit the following by January 1st (postmark deadline):

  1. The Common Application and Northwestern Supplement to the Common Application. You must select "yes" when asked "Do you intend to apply for need-based financial aid?" on the Common Application.
  2. The nonrefundable application for admission fee of US $65. Northwestern is unable to waive the application fee for international students requesting aid.

You must also submit the following by February 15th (postmark deadline):

  1. International Student Financial Aid Application (pdf) - available soon
  2. Signed copies of family's 2009 national income tax return documents or relevant documents verifying income and assets (officially translated into English)

For families who earn income in the U.S. or Canada, you must also submit:

  1. College Scholarship Service (CSS) Financial Aid Profile

Some students may be asked to provide additional information regarding their family's financial circumstances such as, but not limited to, a non-custodial parent statement (for students whose parents are divorced, separated, or have never been married) or business/farm supplement. All financial information should be converted to U.S. dollars, and the conversion rate should be indicated. Applicants for admission will not be considered complete and cannot be fully reviewed until all required materials have been received.

International students receiving financial aid from Northwestern must still plan to contribute to funding their educational expenses. For example, students will be responsible for travel expenses to the U.S. from their home country. Northwestern University cannot assume responsibility for economic changes such as currency fluctuation, nor can it replace lost support that a student may have expected to receive from relatives, sponsors, or government and corporate grants.

The Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid has the most detailed and current information about Northwestern's international financial aid policy and further instructions on how to correctly complete financial aid forms.

International Students Planning To Pursue Advanced Degrees

International students receiving need-based financial aid from Northwestern for their undergraduate degree should be aware that this funding will not continue if they choose to pursue medical school, law school, graduate school, or any other professional studies at Northwestern University.

Working in the United States

Employment on student visas is limited and the rules of employment are strictly enforced. International students who work in the United States while studying are unlikely to earn enough money to pay for all of their expenses.

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Financial aid