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Financial Eligibility

Northwestern University offers financial assistance to students on the basis of demonstrated need. Northwestern is among a small group of private institutions that continue to meet the full demonstrated institutional financial need of our aid applicants.

Institutional need is the difference between the cost of attendance and the family contribution. Your family contribution is determined by your family's particular financial circumstances. 

Cost of Attendance Family Contribution = Institutional Need
Cost of attendance includes tuition, fees, room and board, books and supplies, personal expenses, and transportation. The amount a family is expected to contribute to the student's cost of attendance, based on a review of the student's financial aid materials. The expected family contribution is subtracted from the cost of attendance to determine institutional need. This amount may be covered by federal and institutional assistance.

If your family contribution is equal to or greater than the cost of attendance, you will not qualify for need-based aid. In these cases, we may be able to recommend other financing options, such as Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, PLUS Loans, and private loans.