Summer Session Aid
Financial aid is very limited for the Summer Session because summer is considered the fourth quarter of the academic year. As a result:- Federal sources of aid (such as the Stafford Loan or Pell Grant) are limited to a student's remaining eligibility from the current academic year.
- Institutional aid (such as the Northwestern Scholarship) is dependent upon funds remaining after all financial awards have been finalized for the academic year.
Who receives Summer Session aid?
Because funding is so limited for summer, the Office of Financial Aid weighs a student's need to attend summer school in addition to the normal criteria used to determine aid eligibility. Preference is given to those who demonstrate a real need to attend Summer Session, such as:- Students who must take summer classes to graduate on time.
- Students who wish to participate in programs only offered during the summer.
Visiting students are not eligible for financial assistance from Northwestern. These students should consult the financial aid office at their home institution.
How to apply for Summer Session aid
Student's are required to complete and submit the Summer Financial Aid Application (pdf). The application deadline is June 26. Students for all summer programs, including study abroad and field studies, use the same Summer Session application. Where appropriate, additional documentation may be required to clarify an applicant's circumstances. In addition to reviewing the application, the Office of Financial Aid will:
- Review an applicant's financial aid materials submitted for the 2008-09 academic year to determine an appropriate family contribution. Those who have not previously applied for aid should contact a Financial Aid Counselor to learn what types of aid they might be eligible for and what additional forms will be necessary.
- Contact an applicant's dean in some cases. This may be done to gather information in order to prioritize distribution of any available scholarship assistance.
Important considerations about Summer Session financial aid
- Students receive only 12 quarters of aid eligibility. Receipt of Northwestern Scholarship during the summer may cause Summer Session to count as one of those quarters. The student would be notified if this were the case.
- Financial aid is contingent on enrollment status. The Office of Financial Aid monitors the enrollment status of summer aid recipients throughout the term and may adjust financial aid awards if actual enrollment differs from the expected enrollment reported on the Summer Session Financial Aid Application.
