International Student Questions
Jump to a question:
- Can I apply for aid?
- If I didn't apply for financial aid at the time of admission, can I apply after I enroll at Northwestern?
- Can I appeal my financial aid decision?
- Do I need to reapply for financial aid every year?
- Am I required to have health insurance?
- What are wire transfer fees?
- Will federal taxes be withheld from my Northwestern Scholarship?
- Am I required to report my scholarship to the federal government?
- How do I apply for my International Loan?
- When will repayment of my loan begin?
- Will I be able to find employment on campus?
- Can I study abroad?
- What if I drop to below full-time status? Will my financial aid be impacted?
- How will early graduation impact my financial aid?
1. Can I apply for aid?
Yes. Northwestern University will offer need-based financial aid awards to a small group of first-year international students. Citizens of foreign countries, including Canada and Mexico, who apply under Regular Decision for financial aid will be reviewed as a separate group. The usual selective admission criteria are the main factors in the admission committee's decision. In addition, and unlike the process for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, the amount of financial aid needed by an applicant may also be a factor in a final admission decision. As a result of this need-aware approach and the limited funds available to students, Northwestern's acceptance rate for international applicants requesting aid is less favorable than the rate of acceptance for those students 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.
2. If I didn't apply for financial aid at the time of admission, can I apply after I enroll at Northwestern?
No. Only those students who received need-based awards as entering freshmen will be eligible to apply for financial assistance in subsequent years.
3. Can I appeal my financial aid decision?
No. At the time of admission your financial aid award is based upon your family's ability to pay for your program of study at Northwestern. You may plan on a similar financial aid award each year.
4. Do I need to reapply for financial aid every year?
As a returning student you are required to complete the University Aid Application which is e-mailed to you in early spring. Your award will be renewed at a similar level each year. As costs increase, you may expect an increase to the family contribution as well as the award.
5. Am I required to have health insurance?
Yes, all students attending Northwestern must provide proof of health insurance coverage. If not, they are required to enroll in the University's health services plan. For more information please visit the Health Services website. As an international student receiving financial aid, if you incur out-of-pocket medical expenses during the academic year, you may appeal by providing documentation (medical/hospital bills) to the Financial Aid Office.
6. What are wire transfer fees?
A wire transfer fee is sometimes charged by a financial institution when transferring funds to another financial institution; particularly if the funds are transferred from abroad. You or your parent(s) should inquire as to whether there are any fees associated when and if funds are wired to the U.S. to assist in paying your student expenses. These fees should be taken into account if the funds are meant to cover the balance owing the University.
7. Will U.S. taxes be withheld from my Northwestern Scholarship?
Not directly; but yes, Northwestern is required to pay federal taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on your behalf for the amount of Northwestern Scholarship that exceeds tuition. This amount is posted to your student account during spring quarter as "Federal taxes withheld". You will need to file a U.S. tax return to obtain any refund. The balance must be paid prior to returning to campus the following fall. For more information regarding payment, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.
8. Am I required to file U.S. taxes?
Yes. International students are required to file either a 1040 NREZ or Form 8843 to report any scholarships received. Each spring the Financial Aid Office conducts a workshop to explain how to complete and file these forms with the United States Department of Treasury (IRS). Much like American taxpayers, these forms must be filed by April 15th.
9. How do I apply for my International Loan?
Instructions on how to apply for your loan will be emailed to you directly and may be found on the Student Financial Services website
10. When will repayment of my loan begin?
Repayment of your loan will begin 3 months after graduation and allows for a 10-year repayment period.
11. Will I be able to find employment on campus?
Yes. Employment opportunities are available on-campus; although limited, they are typically found through your department. Other opportunities include working in food services (Sodexho); applying to become a Community Assistant (Residence Life) or as an engineering student, participating in the Walter P. Murphy Cooperative Engineering Education Program. For more information, visit Paying for Your Education on the Undergraduate Admission website.
12. Can I study abroad?
Depending upon the country, yes, it may be possible to study abroad. Your financial aid may be used to cover your program costs, as long as those costs do not exceed the cost if you were attending classes on the Evanston campus. For more information, visit the Study Abroad Office website.
13. What if I drop to below full-time status? Will my financial aid be impacted?
As an International student, the expectation is that you will maintain your enrollment as a full-time student during the length of your program (no more than 12 quarters of aid for most programs, or up to 15 quarters of aid for those admitted to the 5-year BA/BMus, BS/BMus or BS Eng/BMus programs) as outlined in the Undergraduate Catalog. If you should drop to half-time or 2 units, you could potentially jeopardize your eligibility for Northwestern Scholarship and lose your scholarship funding. Prior to changing your enrollment status, you must schedule an appointment with your financial aid counselor to discuss why this change is necessary and whether you could appeal to retain your scholarship.
14. How will early graduation impact my financial aid?
Once a student has graduated, the student is no longer eligible to receive Northwestern scholarship. If you are planning on graduating early (winter quarter) but plan on staying in Evanston until June, you will need to consider how you will manage your expenses for spring if you choose to stay either in University housing or maintain your residence off-campus. Once a student has met his/her graduation requirements, funds are no longer available through the University to help offset these costs.
Still have questions?
You may want to try browsing the other categories of Prospective Student FAQs or Current Student FAQs available on the Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid website.
If you don't find the answer to your question or would like to discuss your concerns with a counselor, please contact us by phone at (847) 491-7400 or e-mail us at ug-finaid@u.northwestern.edu.
