Study Abroad and Financial Aid

Financial assistance is available to students who wish to study abroad on affiliated study abroad programs during the academic year and who demonstrate financial need.

Who receives Study Abroad Aid?

Students participating in Northwestern affiliated programs may be considered for all types of financial aid, except Federal Work-Study because students cannot hold jobs while abroad. Students attending what are classified as unaffiliated programs are not eligible for any type of financial assistance, nor may they use Northwestern University financing options such as the 9-Pay or NU Loan programs for term(s) during which the student is abroad.

How will the package compare to on-campus aid?

For students going abroad, institutional need is determined exactly the same way as it is for students remaining on campus; it is the difference between the cost of attendance and the expected family contribution.  Likewise, the expected family contribution is calculated the same way whether a student studies abroad or on campus.

The difference between students going abroad and those staying on campus is the cost of attendance budget.  For students going abroad, the Office of Financial Aid uses a budget based on the program’s costs, including tuition, room and board, personal expenses, book costs, transportation (including round-trip airfare), and the Study Abroad Administrative Fee and HTH Worldwide health insurance.  The estimated personal and other costs do take into account reasonable cost of living in the area in which you will be studying.  If you attend a program that costs more than studying at Northwestern, your aid will be increased accordingly; if the program costs less than NU, your financial aid award will be reduced. 

For study abroad programs that cost more than studying at Northwestern, the additional expense is shared between Northwestern and the student. Typically, half of the additional cost is met with additional Northwestern Scholarship assistance, and half is met with additional need-based loans. Furthermore, because work-study is unavailable to students while they are abroad, work-study funds are replaced with additional need-based loans for any quarters abroad.

For study abroad programs that cost less than studying at Northwestern, self-help (i.e., need-based loans and work-study) typically is reduced first.  Northwestern Scholarship may be reduced if necessary.

For additional information about study abroad billing and budgeting, see the Financial Considerations  section of the Study Abroad website.

Summer session aid is extremely limited, and preference is given to students who demonstrate a real need to attend summer school.  You can find information about applying on the Summer Session Aid webpage.

If you are awarded financial aid during the summer, it will likely count as one of your 12 quarters of aid.  The summer aid application will be available on our website in March.  If you do not qualify for aid or you do not wish to use one of your 12 quarters, the Office of Financial Aid can help to arrange other financing for you, such as federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan or a private education loan.  Limited need-based scholarships may also be available through your program office (Study Abroad Office, IPD, BCICS, or GESI); contact your program office directly for information.

Students attending non-Northwestern summer programs are not eligible for any form of financial assistance through Northwestern.

Application Materials
Financial aid application materials for study abroad are no different than for on-campus study.  See the Reapplication Instructions for Current Students webpage for instructions on this process.

A complete financial aid application consists of:

1. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
   • Complete this online at the FAFSA web site.
   • Northwestern's Department of Education code is 001739.
2. College Scholarship Service Financial Aid Profile (CSS Profile)
   • Complete this online at the College Board web site.
   • Northwestern's College Scholarship code for the Profile is 1565.
3. Northwestern University Aid Application (UAPP)
   Complete this online via CAESAR.
4. Parents' Federal Income Tax Return and W-2s
   Submit these to the College Board's IDOC service.
5. Student's Federal Income Tax Return and W-2s
   Submit these to the College Board's IDOC service.
6. Federal Verification Worksheet
   Submit these to the College Board's IDOC service.

Application Deadlines
Most students studying abroad must meet earlier financial aid application deadlines than for those remaining on campus, so that they can receive their aid decisions before finalizing study abroad plans.

Deadlines for Study Abroad Programs 2011-2012:

*Students studying abroad during winter and/or spring will initially be awarded financial aid based on a full year on campus, and revised awards for study abroad will be calculated late in fall quarter.

**Please check with the Office of Financial Aid to confirm the Summer Study Abroad application deadline.

If you are receiving a renewable outside scholarship, please check with the donor to ensure that it may be used for study abroad.  If so, you should make arrangements with the donor to ensure the scholarship check is sent to the Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid.

Please take a few minutes to watch the video below regarding some important billing and financial aid information from our Study Abroad Coordinator.