International Aid Application Instructions
How to apply, step by step
We've broken down the aid process into three simple steps.
1. Request financial aid consideration.
When completing the application for admission, be sure to indicate that you are requesting consideration for financial aid by checking “yes” in the financial aid interest box. International candidates seeking financial aid are evaluated in a need-aware manner, meaning that your request for financial aid will be taken into consideration by the admission committee and that the process will be more competitive.
If you did not initially check this box, you must email nuinternational@northwestern.edu to change your designation prior to the appropriate Early/Regular Decision financial aid deadline listed below.
2. Complete and submit the CSS Profile.
The College Scholarship Service Profile is completed and submitted online through The College Board website. Northwestern's CSS Profile code is 1565.
If you cannot submit the CSS Profile from your country or if submission of the CSS Profile would cause significant financial hardship for your family, please complete the International Student Application for Financial Assistance (ISAFA) and submit the form via the Undergraduate Financial Aid Secure Document Upload.
Applicants submitting the International Student Application for Financial Assistance may be required to submit additional documentation. Should we need more information, you will be notified directly.
3. Complete and submit federal tax forms.
Once you have filed the CSS/Financial Aid Profile you will need to submit a copy of your parents' national tax forms from the most recent tax year, OR, if your country does not have an annual tax form, an official statement/letter of earnings from each parent's employer verifying income with official signatures and/or seals.
All tax or earnings documents require official translation into English (if converted to U.S. dollars, the conversion rate must be indicated) and submitted to the Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid. You may submit the documents via the Undergraduate Financial Aid Secure Document Upload or via email (PDF preferred) to undergradaid@u.northwestern.edu. Be sure to include "International Tax Document" in the subject line of the email.
Deadline to submit financial aid materials:
- Early Decision applicants: December 1 (submit as early as October 1)
- Regular Decision applicants: February 1 (submit as early as October 1)
Award Notification
For students meeting the financial aid deadline for their application plan, financial aid award notification will be sent with or soon after your acceptance letter. This allows you to make an informed decision about Northwestern with full knowledge of the financial commitment necessary from your family. Northwestern issues four-year aid awards for international applicants in order to ensure a student will begin knowing how to plan financially for all four years of undergraduate study.