Summer
Summer aid may be available to undergraduate students to assist in completing their degree requirements.
Summer is the final quarter of an academic year. If you receive financial aid during the current academic year, you have already completed most of the required application materials for the summer term.
Changes for Summer 2025
Beginning with the summer 2025 term, students requesting need-based institutional grant funding for summer enrollment will need to provide additional context for their enrollment plans.
Summer grant funding will be considered for students in the following circumstances:
- Students who have not received aid for a previous summer term, took a leave this academic year or need to repeat degree coursework.
- Students who have not previously received Northwestern aid to participate in a summer abroad program will be considered for institutional grant funding for a summer study abroad program this summer.
Summer grant funding will not be considered in the following circumstances:
- Students who have previously received summer assistance absent special circumstances*.
- Students who have received Northwestern aid to attend study abroad in a prior summer and who wish to attend an additional summer study abroad program absent special circumstances*.
- Students seeking additional credentials; for example, additional majors, minors, certificates and graduate work.
*Special Circumstances: Students who have previously received summer aid and need to request aid for summer 2025 coursework to complete primary degree requirements will be asked to provide additional information, including a list of planned summer courses. The Office of the Registrar and the academic program may review this information and certify that the courses are required for timely graduation.
Students who are not eligible for summer grant funding may be eligible for federal aid and private loan funding options.
The summer aid estimate request available for students considering summer attendance who made need assistance understanding their eligibility.
The University will review these policies moving forward. Any changes for summer 2026 will be published on the financial aid website in the fall.
Eligibility & Awards
You must be enrolled in a minimum of 2.0 units of credit to be eligible for Northwestern financial aid in any quarter.
You must be a current degree-seeking undergraduate student at Northwestern. Students who graduate in June are not eligible to receive aid in the summer term after graduating. Newly admitted first-year and transfer students are not eligible to apply for summer aid prior to fall quarter matriculation.
Summer Costs & Aid
Tuition in the summer is charged per unit of credit. As in other quarters, financial aid can be awarded up to regular full-time tuition, which in the summer is a maximum of 4 courses. If you plan to enroll in more than 4 credits, you may be eligible for loan assistance to help cover the cost of overload tuition. Institutional aid is not provided for overload enrollment charges in any quarter.
In addition, the summer cost of attendance may vary based on other factors, including the length of your enrollment and your intended living arrangements (e.g., on-campus residence hall, Evanston-area apartment, at home, etc.).
Overall summer costs tend to be lower than a regular quarter, so the dollar amount of your summer aid may be less than you receive in other quarters. Some students who receive financial aid during the academic year may not be financially eligible for need-based aid during the summer due to lower costs of enrollment.
Types of Aid
Federal sources of aid (e.g., Pell Grant or loans) are limited to your remaining eligibility from the current academic year.
If you qualify for Northwestern summer grant assistance, we will make every effort to ensure that your award remains proportional to a regular quarter.
If you receive other assistance that is exhausted during the academic year or unavailable in the summer (e.g., work-study, outside scholarships, etc.), you may be offered federal student loans (if eligible) to help make up for these resources in the summer.
If you are awarded outside scholarships or other funding from another source in the summer, you are required to notify our office to have your summer aid eligibility reviewed.
The NU Loan is not available in the summer term.
Non-Northwestern Students & Programs
Northwestern students taking summer courses at institutions outside of Northwestern or unaffiliated study abroad programs are not eligible to receive any financial aid or loans through Northwestern.
Visiting students are not eligible for financial aid from Northwestern.
Enrollment Changes & Withdrawals
Our office will monitor enrollment throughout the summer and may adjust your financial aid if your actual summer enrollment differs or changes from the expected enrollment reported on your summer aid application. Your aid adjustment will depend on your number of credits, length of enrollment, date of withdrawal, and tuition charges. You must remain enrolled a minimum of 2.0 units of credit in order to be eligible for Northwestern aid.
If you intend to change your summer enrollment, especially after the start of the summer term, we strongly recommend that you contact our office to speak with a financial aid counselor about how your aid eligibility would change.
Apply for Summer Financial Aid
Financial aid may be available if you plan to enroll in at least two units of credit in the summer. This may apply to on-campus summer courses, study abroad, or a credit-bearing practicum, field study, or internship. Visit the Summer Session page for application instructions.
Summer Study Abroad
Students attending affiliated or Northwestern programs may apply for summer financial aid; visit the Global Learning Office website for details. You are also encouraged to apply for study abroad scholarships.