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Explore FAQs by Topic

Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions pages! Below, you can see some of the most common questions in each section, and you can click through the categories to find even more topics and answers.

Admitted Students

  • Do you offer merit scholarships?
  • Will the financial aid award change from year to year?
  • If I don't qualify for financial aid this year, can I apply next year?

Aid Award Package

  • What components make up a financial aid package?
  • I thought financial aid doesn't include loans. Why do I see loans on my financial aid award?
  • Can I request more financial aid?

Billing

  • I got my bill, and I have questions about it. Who can help me?
  • How will my aid appear on the invoice?
  • Can I give account access to my parent/guardian?

Co-op Programs

  • Can Co-op students apply for financial aid?
  • Are Co-op student eligible for scholarships?

Eligibility and Aid Applications

  • How does Northwestern determine my financial aid?
  • Will applying for financial aid impact my admissions decision?
  • My biological/adoptive parents are divorced or separated, or were never married. Whose information is required on my financial aid applications?

International Students

  • I'm an international student. Can I apply for financial aid?
  • I do not currently reside in the US. What should I enter for state of legal residence on my loan application?

Living Off Campus

  • Does living off campus impact my financial aid eligibility?
  • How does living off campus change my Northwestern invoice?
  • Is living off campus more expensive?

Living With Family

  • Does living at home impact my cost of attendance?
  • Does living at home impact my Family Contribution?

Loans

  • How does a student apply for a student loan?
  • How does the loan approval process work?
  • What is credit history? How do I know if I'm creditworthy?

Part-time Enrollment

  • What qualifies as "Part-time?"
  • Does enrolling part-time impact my financial aid award?

QuestBridge

  • I am a QuestBridge Match. Why wasn’t I offered Federal Work-Study in my award?
  • Are all of my costs covered?

Resident Assistants

  • What can I expect for compensation as a Resident Assistant (RA) or Senior Resident Assistant (SRA)?
  • What are the changes in RA and SRA compensation?

Study Abroad

  • Will studying abroad impact my financial aid?
  • What expenses are not covered by financial aid while studying abroad?
  • I need financial documentation for my visa application. How can I obtain this?

Summer Courses

  • Who is eligible for Summer Aid?
  • How does summer aid work?
  • What happens if I drop a summer class?