Your family's financial contribution, called the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), is based on information provided on two forms: the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The formula used to calculate the EFC takes into account the following factors: your earnings and savings, parental income, nonretirement assets, taxes paid, family size, number of family members in college, private K-12 school costs, nondiscretionary expenses and any special circumstances.
Families whose EFC is less than the total Cost of Attendance (COA) for one year at Northwestern have what is known as "demonstrated financial need." Northwestern's financial aid package equals the difference between the COA and the EFC.
Estimating your aid eligibility and costs
Northwestern Undergraduate Financial Aid will not make an official offer of assistance until after a student is admitted, but you can view an early estimate by using one of the tools below:
MyinTuition
MyinTuition is a Quick Cost Estimator designed for prospective undergraduate domestic students. While MyinTuition is only meant to suggest a ballpark estimate for need-based aid, we hope it will show families that Northwestern is more affordable than many assume.
MYINTUITION
Net Price Calculator
For a more comprehensive look, you can also use our Net Price Calculator, which estimates the amount of grants, scholarships and aid that may be available so you can find the "net price" of attendance.
NET PRICE CALCULATOR
This chart shows average aid packages across a range of family Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) levels awarded to Northwestern freshmen who enrolled in Fall 2020.
Family Income (AGI)* |
Percent Receiving Aid |
Average Aid Package |
$0-$29,999 |
96% |
$74,317 |
$30,000-$59,999 |
95% |
$74,465 |
$60,000-$89,999 |
93% |
$65,188 |
$90,000-$119,999 |
91% |
$55,939 |
$120,000-$149,999 |
88% |
$48,328 |
$150,000 or more |
42% |
$31,378 |
*Families in the higher income ranges may have more than one student enrolled in college to qualify for aid.
A financial aid package typically includes a combination of need-based scholarships, grants and part-time work that together meet a student's full financial need.