Admitted Students: Financial Aid Application Information for students entering the Class of 2016Who Is Eligible To ApplyU.S. citizens, nationals, and permanent residents who enrolled at least halftime are eligible to apply for Federal loan assistance. International students may apply for loans available to international students which are listed on the following web page: http://www.northwestern.edu/sfs/loan_instruc_info/private_loans.html.
What Types of Assistance
- Federal Student Loans: Stafford Loans at low-fixed interest rates
- Credit-Based Student Loans: Federal Graduate PLUS & Alternative/Private Loans
- NU Scholarships/Grants: Institutional merit and need-based awards are available at time of admission only. The Office of Admissions will automatically consider admitted applicants for merit scholarships; those who complete financial aid applications by the deadline will be automatically considered for need-based grants. There is not a separate application process.
When To Apply
All applicants invited for interview may apply for assistance; however, individual award notices are generated only for accepted students. If you wish to apply for financial aid for the Class of 2016 all required application materials should be received no later than March 15, 2012 (or three weeks after receiving your acceptance, whichever is later). Students who submit their application materials after the deadline will be considered for financial aid but may not qualify for all financial aid programs based on availability of funds. You should submit the electronic forms to FAFSA and Need Access by March 1 to reach the aid office by March 15. Award notices will be sent out on a rolling basis via email starting on April 2 to those who met the March 15th deadline.
How To Apply/Application Steps
(Application Instructions for International Medical Students - Click Here) Complete on-line forms by March 1 to reach Chicago Aid Office electronically by March 15 (or three weeks after receiving your acceptance, whichever is later). Complete FAFSA on the Web use school code 001739 Please note that Northwestern College (Chicago) is not associated with Northwestern University and if you select Northwestern College while completing the FAFSA we will not receive your FAFSA information.) Complete Need Access Application Complete the parent section of the Need Access form if you are classified as a NU Dependent (What is this?) and wish to be considered for institutional grants or need-based loans. Note: If your parents are currently separated or were divorced after September 1, 2008, submit financial information for both parents; if they were divorced before that date, submit information for your custodial parent only (If your custodial parent has remarried, submit your stepparent's information as well.)
Complete and submit the following Student financial information to the address listed below by March 15 (or three weeks after receiving your acceptance, whichever is later). 2012-13 Verification of Student Income worksheet form AND Signed Copies of 2011 Student Federal Income Tax Return and W-2 forms (if applicable)
All NU Dependent students must complete and submit the following parent financial information to the address listed below by March 15 (or three weeks after receiving your acceptance, whichever is later). 2012-13 Verification of Parent's Income worksheet form AND Signed Copies of 2011 Parent Federal Income Tax Return and W-2 forms If applicable)
If your parents have not yet filed their 2011 federal tax return, please have them submit a copy of the 2010 federal tax return and W2s along with the 2012-13 Verification of Parents’ Income Worksheet. This may allow the Office of Financial Aid to provide you with a provisional financial aid award.
Where to Send Materials
Application materials should be submitted to the following address. You also have the option to fax documents. The FAFSA application is submitted electronically and therefore does not need to be faxed or mailed to the Office of Financial Aid. Northwestern University
Office of Financial Aid
710 N. Lake Shore Drive, Room #629
Chicago, IL 60611-3078
Fax 312-503-8700 Award notices will be sent out on a rolling basis via email starting on April 2 to those who met the March 15th deadline.
NU Dependency Status
If you would like to be considered for institutional aid (scholarship or need-based grant funds) your financial aid application process will vary, depending on whether you are considered NU Dependent or NU Independent. Please note that NU Dependency Status is separate from federal dependency status, and will not affect your eligibility for federal financial aid. To be considered NU Independent, a student must meet the following criteria: You must have been entirely self-supporting by employment for at least 30 months prior to matriculation. The 30 months do not need to be the 2 1/2 years immediately prior to matriculation. Self-support typically requires gross employment earnings of at least $2,200 per month if you are single or $3,500 per month if you are married. Self-support cannot include support from educational loans you may have borrowed to cover your living expenses, earnings from investments, trust funds, or other assets. In addition, it cannot be claimed during periods when you were a student. If you meet the above criteria, you must submit supporting documentation outlined on the NU Dependency Status Worksheet: http://chicagofinancialaid.northwestern.edu/forms/DepStatWkst2013.pdf. If you do not satisfy the above requirement, you are considered NU Dependent for the purposes of determining eligibility for institutional aid. You are required to submit your parents’ information on the Need Access form and submit a copy of their federal tax returns for consideration. | 
