Summer Session FAQs
Jump to a question:- I would like to attend summer school. Will I be able to receive financial aid?
- When can I fill out a summer school financial aid application?
- I plan to take spring quarter off this year. Can I transfer my financial aid to the summer?
- Am I expected to have summer earnings if I am in summer school or participating in a summer study abroad program?
- I am a Northwestern student and I would like to enroll in a summer program at another institution. Will Northwestern provide me with financial assistance?
- I have attended Northwestern for 12 quarters and I want to take classes this summer in order to complete requirements for a double degree. Can I receive additional financial aid to cover this?
- I attend another university and want to take classes at Northwestern this summer. Am I eligible for financial aid?
- I am attending summer session and receiving financial aid but am considering dropping one of my courses. How will this affect my financial aid?
1. I would like to attend summer school. Will I be able to receive financial aid?
Even if you are a financial aid recipient during the academic year, there is no guarantee that you will receive summer school financial aid. Aid for summer school is dependent on availability of funding. Those students who receive first priority for summer aid are those who need to take courses during the summer for a specific reason, such as to be able to graduate on time.
2. When can I fill out a summer school financial aid application?
Summer Session applications are available in our office and online starting in March. Please see the section Summer Session Financial Aid for more information.
3. I plan to take spring quarter off this year. Can I transfer my financial aid to the summer?
The Financial aid Committee will take into consideration at the time of awarding summer session aid that you were not here during spring quarter. The total financial aid will not necessarily be proportionate to the spring quarter because of the differences in cost. Cost of attendance for Summer Session is based on the number of courses indicated on the summer aid application, and the duration of these courses (4, 6, 8 or 9-week). We try to keep the total scholarship to self-help ratio the same as during the academic year. The parental contribution is generally one-third of the full-year parental contribution.
4. Am I expected to have summer earnings if I am in summer school or participating in a summer study abroad program?
Yes. Your circumstances will be taken into consideration but you are expected to contribute a certain amount each year toward your tuition. If you are unable to work during the summer, additional self-help (loan or employment) may be provided depending upon eligibility and available funding.
5. I am a Northwestern student and I would like to enroll in a summer program at another institution. Will Northwestern provide me with financial assistance?
Although we may process aid for students studying abroad on affiliated study abroad programs, we are not able to process aid for students studying at other United States campuses or abroad on unaffiliated programs.
6. I have attended Northwestern for 12 quarters and I want to take classes this summer in order to complete requirements for a double degree. Can I receive additional financial aid to cover this?
Students at Northwestern are eligible to receive University scholarship assistance for twelve quarters of enrollment (unless otherwise noted). We would recommend that you petition to your degree auditor in the Registrar's Office to see if you are eligible for a final free quarter of tuition and notify us immediately of their decision.
7. I attend another university and want to take classes at Northwestern this summer. Am I eligible for financial aid?
Visiting students are not eligible for financial assistance from Northwestern. You should contact the financial aid office at your home institution to see if you might be eligible for portable funding.
8. I am attending summer session and receiving financial aid but am considering dropping one of my courses. How will this affect my financial aid?
Your financial aid will be reduced based upon your actual enrollment. If you drop a course after the drop/add period and are held for a percentage of the tuition charges, this will be taken into consideration when your aid is adjusted. Please refer to the Registration and Refunds section on the Student Financial Services website for information on how your tuition charges will be affected.
Still have questions?
You may want to try browsing the other categories of the Current Student FAQs.
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.
