How Financial Aid Eligibility Is DeterminedA student's financial aid award is established on an individual basis and depends upon the cost of attendance and the expected family contribution. The amount that remains after the family contribution has been applied towards the cost of attendance is considered the student's institutional need. In short: Cost of attendance minus expected family contribution equals institutional need.
Cost of Attendance
The cost of attendance changes each year, and it includes tuition, fees, room and board, transportation and other figures. Expected Family ContributionTo determine the family contribution, Northwestern examines aid application materials and notes any special circumstances. If you are an NU Dependent student, the expected family contribution includes both a parental contribution and a student contribution: - The parental contribution is based on a number of factors, including the parents’ income, assets, and family size.
- The student contribution includes a portion of their personal assets each year and savings from summer employment. The summer earnings expectation varies based on class level and actual reported income.
If you are an NU Independent, the expected family contribution includes only the student contribution, which is based on income, asset and family size.
Appealing your Financial Aid Award
You may appeal if you believe that your financial aid award did not fully consider your individual circumstances. The financial aid award appeal deadline is March 31. Appeals typically will not be accepted after this date. There are two general types of appeals: budget appeals and contribution appeals. Each type of appeal has different application procedures. There are two general types of appeals: budget appeals and contribution appeals. Each type of appeal has different application procedures. Budget AppealsAdjustments are sometimes made when your cost of attendance exceeds that expected of the average student and the situation relates directly to your ability to remain enrolled in your degree program. These budget increases are made on an individualized, case-by-case basis. Typically there are two situations in which your educational budget can be increased above the standard level. - Medical Emergency Supplement: You have incurred increased health care costs during the academic year that are not covered by your insurance and must be paid immediately due to an acute medical emergency or problem.
- Dependent Care Supplement: You have dependents for whom you have financial responsibility who need supervision while you are in class.
Medical Emergency SupplementEligibility: If you suffer an acute medical emergency or problem while enrolled at Northwestern University, you may be eligible for additional financial aid to cover those costs not paid by insurance if treatment is required to maintain enrollment in your degree program. You also may qualify for additional loan assistance if you require prescribed medications to maintain your enrollment at NU. How to apply: There is no specific form for requesting a Medical Emergency Supplement. You simply need to submit the following four items: - A written explanation of the medical emergency/problem and the prescribed treatment.
- Documentation from the health care provider certifying that the prescribed treatment (including all medications) is/was required to continue your enrollment.
- Documentation showing the costs of the prescribed treatments and/or medications.
- Documentation showing to what extent these expenses were covered by insurance.
Any increase in loan assistance from a Medical Emergency Supplement is limited to those costs that must be paid during the academic year of which you are applying for the increase that will not be reimbursed by insurance. It may not always be possible to offer you loan assistance to cover the full extent of your medical expenses. Dependent Care SupplementEligibility:
If you have dependents for whom you are financially responsible for and you need additional loan assistance to help offset the costs for dependent care, you may be eligible for additional financial aid. - Allowable costs for the Dependent Care Supplement include day care expenses and childcare services. The amount of supplement is based on actual costs incurred within limits for what is considered fair and reasonable rates (maximum of $750/month per eligible dependent). It is expected that you are obtaining dependent care services at the lowest possible costs.
- Increases are not permitted for the costs of food and shelter for dependents. These costs are factored into the formula used when determining your expected contribution toward educational expenses.
How to apply:
Download the Dependent Care Supplement Request Form (pdf) and return the completed form along with second-party documentation of your actual dependent care costs. See the form for instructions. |
Contribution Appeals
Eligibility:
You have the right to appeal the expected family contribution if there has been a significant change in circumstances in your (and/or your family's) financial situation since you filed your application documents. You should meet with a financial aid advisor if you have specific questions regarding your family contribution. How to apply:
Your appeal must be submitted in writing, and must include formal documentation of the change in circumstances. The more detailed your appeal and documentation, the easier it is for the committee to review it and make a prompt determination. You must also submit the loss of wages form and monthly expense worksheet. | 
