Perkins Loan Application Instructions

The Perkins Loan Application does not need to be completed every year, but previous borrowers may need to reapply if a significant amount of time has passed since they last applied. Only students who have applied for need-based financial aid and have been offered a Perkins Loan will be eligible to borrow from this program.

Instructions are provided below for first-time borrowers and for previous borrowers.

First-time Borrower Instructions

1. Respond to the award notice that indicated Perkins Loan eligibility.
   After receiving an award package that offers the Federal Perkins Loan, accept the award via CAESAR, indicating the amount you wish to borrow.
2. You will receive e-mail instructions from Campus Partners.
   When your Perkins Loan is ready to be processed, information will be sent to your Northwestern e-mail account, directing you to complete the following materials on the iPROMise web site:
   1. Entrance Interview
   2. Perkins Loan Application
   3. Master Promissory Note
   4. Total Loan Indebtedness Disclosure (TLID)
      You will not be able to log in to the website until you receive this e-mail.
3. Complete your loan materials at the iPROMise web site.
   From the iPROMise home page, complete these steps:
   1. Select "Illinois" from the list of available states.
   2. Select "Northwestern University" from the list of participating institutions.
      Fill out the student registration form.
   3. Complete the Entrance Interview: Follow the instructions, reading all of the information presented and answering the questions.
   4. Proceed to the Perkins Loan Application and Master Promissory Note and TLID.
4. Wait for your loan application to be approved.

Previous Borrower Instructions

Instructions vary, depending on whether you borrowed from the Federal Perkins Loan in the prior academic year. If you are not sure if you borrowed a Perkins during the prior academic year, you can check your account on CAESAR.

If you did borrow from the Federal Perkins Loan Program last year:

After receiving an award notice that offers a Federal Perkins Loan, accept the award via CAESAR, indicating the amount you wish to borrow.  The Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid will process your Perkins Loan.  You will not need to complete the iPROMise application again.

If you have borrowed from the Perkins Loan program in a previous year, but not last year:

In some instances, you may need to complete a new Perkins Loan Application and Master Promissory Note. You should check check your To-Do list to confirm if you need to complete steps two through four above, which were provided for