Coronavirus FAQs
We understand that many will have questions related to the virus and university actions to safeguard the community. We are doing our best to help in this time of crisis. We know and understand that there might be challenges in the coming weeks and we hope to ease those to the extent possible. Please see below for answers to some of the questions we expect from you.
I have some general questions, what is the best way to reach the office?
The office is fully functional, but conducting much of our work remotely. The best way to contact the office is through the office email at: undergradaid@u.northwestern.edu
If you need to speak with someone verbally, please leave your phone number in a message to our office. We will do our best to also answer our phone, as normal.
I receive financial aid and was planning to live on campus, what happens if I move home?
Your financial aid is related to the amount that you pay for college. If you move home and do not pay for housing, your financial aid will be adjusted to correspond with your reduced bill. You WILL NOT be harmed financially by moving home. Please let us know if your housing plans change.
I have been provided the opportunity of Federal Work-Study, will jobs be available?
Departments from all over campus have been notifying the financial aid office of potential opportunities. While we do not have control over these opportunities, we hope that many are available. Notification will be sent to all eligible students in September about applying for vacant jobs.
I need to deliver documents to you, should I mail them?
The best way to deliver documents is through our
secure document upload page. You can also submit materials via email (
undergradaid@u.northwestern.edu), but because email can never be guaranteed secure, we do not recommend submitting tax information or other documents that include Social Security Numbers via email, if avoidable. Paper mail might be spotty while we are trying to isolate the employees of our campus.
I am a low-income student, I heard that steps were being taken and that the Financial Aid Office will relax certain requirements related to financial aid, is that accurate?
Please rely on the Financial Aid Office for information about financial aid. We will use all flexibility in our efforts to help you and all students. While our campus partners might provide support in other ways, ours is the only one that can help resolve financial issues for you. We will use every flexibility to help but those are not determined by individual offices.
If I have an emergency expense related to going to school, will the Financial Aid Office be open and available to help?
All functions of the Financial Aid Office will remain intact. Emergency aid for unique circumstances will continue to be available while students are enrolled full-time during the academic year.