Prospective Domestic Students
Applying for financial aid begins when you apply to Northwestern.
Aid Basics
Essential steps, requirements, and deadlines for first-year and transfer U.S. citizen/permanent resident applicants. You’ll submit your financial aid application when you apply to Northwestern.
Your application deadlines will vary depending on your application group. Please be sure to follow deadlines to ensure we receive your application on time. Contact us with any questions or if you need assistance.
If you are not a prospective or incoming domestic student, please find your group below for an accurate timeline:
Financial Aid Application Deadlines
Find the financial aid application deadlines that apply to you.
Regular Decision
- January 2
University application and official materials due
When completing the application for admission, be sure to indicate that you are requesting consideration for financial aid.
The Admissions Office can help you with your application, so be sure to reference their website if you have questions about applying for admission.
- February 1(submit as early as December 1)
Submit your FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the official application for federal and many state financial aid programs. If you wish only to apply for federal aid, you only need to complete and submit the FAFSA.
- Visit the FAFSA website and complete the application. Northwestern's federal school code is 001739.
- Additional Information for Individuals Without a Social Security Number (SSN)
- Based on FAFSA, some applications to be selected for further federal verification. Those applicants will be notified and asked to submit further documentation.
Note: In most years, the FAFSA is available October 1. Things will be delayed slightly this year due to a simpler application being implemented.
- February 1(submit as early as October 1)
Submit your CSS profile
The College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile is completed and submitted online through The College Board website. Select "Pay for College" and the CSS Profile will be listed under student tools.
- Visit the College Board website to complete the Profile. Northwestern’s CSS code is 1565.
- Upon completion, you will receive a confirmation email. Any corrections must be submitted to our office.
- February 5(submit as early as November 1)
Complete and submit federal tax forms
After completing the CSS Profile, the College Board will provide instructions for submitting the custodial parents' and the student's federal income tax forms, including all schedules and W-2 forms:
- These forms must be sent to the College Board's Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC), which will then transmit the documents to our office
- If our office requires any additional information, we will be in touch directly and provide you instructions for further upload.
- All document submissions should include a completed cover sheet.
Those not required to file federal tax returns should complete the appropriate Non-Tax Filer's Statement on the IDOC site and, upon request, may be required to later send a written explanation of your circumstances to our office.
- Late March(exact date changes year to year)
Admission decisions and aid offers released
For students meeting the deadline for their application plan, a financial aid award notification will be sent with or soon after your acceptance letter.
- After you submit your aid application, if you qualify for loans, you will be notified and emailed instructions on how to complete any additional loan materials online (loan application, entrance interview, Master Promissory Note, Total Loan Indebtedness Disclosure).
- If you have a change in circumstance, aid package will change to reflect that. You will get a new aid notice after that cost of attendance is finalized.
- May 1
Admissions deposit deadline
Your specific deposit deadline may be different than what is listed here. Please check your admissions portal and admissions letter to get the correct date for you.
Transition to steps for newly admitted and incoming students
After you're accepted to Northwestern, you'll transition to these steps for incoming students.
Early Decision
Transfer
Early Transfer
We're Here When You Need Us
Email our team, schedule an appointment with a counselor, give us a call, or come visit us in person: