Billing FAQs

First, we recommend you read through this page to see if your question has been posted here. The answer to who can help you further depends on whether you have questions about the charges or the anticipated financial aid.

If you have questions about the charges on the bill (tuition, fees, health insurance, etc.), refer to the specific department for contact information on your paper invoice, or contact the Student Finance office for assistance.

On the other hand, if your questions are about the anticipated financial aid on your bill, please reach out to the Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid via email to undergradaid@u.northwestern.edu so we can help guide your next steps. We may be able to help you submit information regarding private loans, outside scholarships, or other sources of financial aid. If the amount of financial aid doesn't appear correct, we may be able to clarify or troubleshoot your student account.

Financial aid may be listed on your student account as "anticipated aid" until the funds are actually received. Your adjusted balance (i.e., amount due) includes your anticipated financial aid funds.

In August, students will receive an email at their official Northwestern email address notifying them when their fall quarter bill is available for viewing online. A monthly bill will be generated for any outstanding charges not paid in full at the beginning of the term, and new quarter charges will be posted before the term begins. Check out "When will we be billed?" for more information.

The Office of Student Finance bills students on a term-by-term basis. OSF will also send invoices on a monthly basis for any new account activity. The initial billing for each quarter is sent as follows:

Fall Quarter

• Billing Date: August 10
• Due Date: September 1

Winter Quarter

• Billing Date: December 10
• Due Date: January 1

Spring Quarter

• Billing Date: March 10
• Due Date: April 1

Students will be charged by term for tuition and mandatory enrollment fees. Students who live in University Housing will be assessed housing and meal plan charges for the term as well. For students who are required to enroll in Northwestern's student health plan, the plan premium will be billed in full on the fall quarter invoice. Other components of the cost of attendance (i.e., books and supplies, personal expenses, etc.) will not appear on the invoice for each term.

If you have questions about a particular item or amount on your invoice, refer to the specific department for contact information on your paper invoice, or contact the Student Finance office for assistance.

All students are required to have health insurance, and all students are defaulted into the Northwestern University Student Health Insurance Plan (NU-SHIP). Students who have alternate insurance coverage must waive their NU-SHIP enrollment online in CAESAR during their applicable open enrollment period. Only the Office of Student Health Insurance can waive this from the student account, so please contact their office with any questions or concerns.

Payment options include ePay, check or money order, and FlyWire for international transactions. Please reference the Office of Student Finance site for more information about submitting payments.