Financial Aid for International Students

Northwestern University will offer need-based financial aid awards to a small group of international students entering in Fall 2008. Citizens of foreign countries who apply under Regular Decision for financial aid will be reviewed as a separate group.

The usual selective admission criteria, as well as the amount of financial aid needed by an applicant, will be factors in the admission committee's decision. As a result, Northwestern will not offer admission to some candidates who are otherwise well-qualified. For these reasons, the admission rate for international applicants requesting aid is substantially lower than for those 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.

U.S. citizens living abroad, permanent residents of the U.S., and other eligible non-U.S. citizens may receive financial aid from Northwestern and should follow the same application process as U.S. citizens for financial aid. Enrolling permanent residents will be asked to submit the proper documents showing their immigration status to finalize the award.

How to Apply:

  1. Select "yes" when asked "Do you intend to apply for financial aid?" on the Common Application
  2. Submit the following by February 1 (deadline extended to February 15):
    1. Application Fee (nonrefundable US $65). Northwestern is unable to waive the application fee for international students requesting aid.
    2. International Student Financial Aid Application (pdf)
    3. International Student Certification of Finances (pdf)
    4. Signed copies of family's 2007 national income tax return documents or relevant documents verifying income and assets (officially translated into English)
    5. For families who earn income in the U.S. or Canada:
      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 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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