Enrollment Status
Your financial aid will be determined, in part, based on your enrollment status and courseload.
Award Changes Based on Final Enrollment
Your aware will likely decrease if your enrollment is less than full-time. Awards will be adjusted proportionally to the amount of the reduction in tuition as compared to the original award. Typically, you will see reductions in both the loan/work component of your financial aid award as well as the scholarship component. Be sure to review the University's Course Load Policies provided on the Registrar's website.
Enrollment Categories
Full-time
Students who enroll in 3 to 5.5 units are billed at the full-time tuition rate. All full-time quarters of enrollment (regardless of funding received) will be considered toward the 4-year maximum and eligible students will be awarded funding at the full-time level.
See Cost of Attendance for full-time students
Part-time
Students who enroll in 2 to 2.9 units will be awarded funding based on the reduced charges. Students with at least 2 units remain eligible for Northwestern financial aid.
Students enrolled in at least 2 units but less than 3 units may have their federal student loan eligibility reduced for future quarters. See federal direct loan changes.
See Cost of Attendance for part-time students
Less Than Part-time
Students who enroll in fewer than 2 units are not eligible for Northwestern financial aid or federal student loans. Students with at least 1.5 units are eligible for federal loans. Students might also have reduced eligibility for a Federal Pell Grant if they are less than part-time.
See Cost of Attendance for less-than-part-time students
Refunds
Students who have taken any refunds based upon full-time financial aid awarded, and whose awards are subsequently reduced due to half-time or less than half-time enrollment, may be responsible for a resulting balance due on their tuition account.
Summer Enrollment
Students who need to enroll during summer session and receive institutional assistance may do so if the summer enrollment falls within their 4 years of eligibility. Students are required to complete a Summer Financial Aid Application.
Overload Enrollment
During the fall, winter, or spring quarters, enrollment in more than 5.5 units will result in additional tuition charges.
See cost of attendance for excess courses
Institutional assistance is not provided for the additional overload enrollment charges. Students who have met their institutional funding limit may contact our office to discuss additional financing options for this cost, such as Federal Direct student loans or Federal Parent PLUS Loans. Please review Satisfactory Academic Progress for details regarding the maximums for federal financial aid eligibility.
Years Of Eligibility
University aid can only be applied to 4 years of enrollment unless you are enrolled in a pre-approved five-year program. Federal aid, which is available for U.S. Citizens and permanent residents, can be available for a longer period.
We understand that some students may need additional support beyond their 4 years. Please see this section of our site to submit an appeal: