Need-based financial assistance is available to students who wish to study abroad in Northwestern programs, Northwestern exchange programs or partner programs.
Students attending independent programs are not eligible for any type of financial assistance or loans through Northwestern, and may not use Northwestern financing options such as the prepayment plan for the term abroad.
Use this page to explore information about how financial aid can help with programs abroad and start planning for your time away from campus.
Questions?
Keep reading to learn more about study abroad, and be sure to check out our Study Abroad FAQs:
The financial aid materials and deadlines are the same as those for on-campus study - no additional applications are required. If you plan to study abroad during the academic year, review the New and Returning Applicant page for detailed instructions. For summer study abroad programs, details are below.
Aid Notification Timeline
Program Term
Study Abroad Aid Notification By
Fall Quarter, Fall-Winter Quarters, or Full-Year Programs
Your aid may be based on the program's estimated total cost of attendance. Once we receive the program’s confirmed invoice, your aid may be adjusted to reflect finalized costs, fees, enrollment changes, or any outside funding you receive.
International students receiving financial aid are not eligible to use their Northwestern aid to study in their home country or country of residence. Exceptions will only be granted upon receipt of a written appeal, which must include an academic rationale and a letter of support from an academic advisor. Exclusions apply. Visit the Global Learning Office (GLO) website for more information.
Cost of Studying Abroad
Study abroad costs vary by program. Estimated total costs includes tuition, room and board, airfare, books, living expenses, international health insurance, student visa, and the Study Abroad Administrative Fee, as applicable. Estimated costs may be based on program-provided figures, cost-of-living data, or a combination of both. Northwestern may adjust estimates to reflect typical student expenses and support equitable budgeting.
Students are responsible for carefully reviewing all billing information provided by their study abroad program and/or consulting with their Global Learning Office (GLO) adviser to understand:
What will be billed through Northwestern University
What will be billed directly by the study abroad program
Payment schedules and due dates (for both Northwestern University and/or the study abroad program)
Deposit requirements
Refund and withdrawal policies
Any available deferral or payment options offered by the program
For more information on billing and budgeting, visit the Program Costs and Financial Aid or the GLO portal. If you have further questions about your program's billing arrangement, please contact the Global Learning Office (GLO) and/or your study abroad program, as applicable.
Some expenses – such as housing, health insurance, or other fees – may be billed separately by the study abroad program depending on the billing arrangement. Students are responsible for:
Reviewing the program brochure
Budgeting for anticipated costs
Making payments on time
Confirming due dates
Confirming any available deferral options with the program
Financial aid cannot cover the cost of housing in Evanston while you are studying abroad. You are responsible for either canceling your on-campus housing contract or subletting your off-campus apartment.
Financial aid also does not cover:
Application Fees
Bank, currency exchange, or international transaction fees
Passport or student visa related expenses (shipping, expediting, travel, parking, etc.)
Shipping, storage, or refundable security/damage deposits
Flight-related costs, including change fees, missed connections, or additional flight seats/upgrades
Luggage, baggage fees, lost luggage, or plug/power adapters
Personal travel, vacation, or optional exclusions
Optional program fees, such as course fees, housing upgrades, orientations, pre-sessions, or pre-program language courses
Additional exclusions may apply. For additional details, please visit here. For answers to frequently asked questions, see Finances & Funding FAQs.
If you receive financial aid for study abroad, you are required to transfer your credits back to Northwestern, regardless of whether you "need" the credits to graduate or intend to petition for specific departmental credit. Failure to do so may result in cancellation of aid.
Study abroad costs, billing arrangements, and payment requirements vary by program. Please review the information below to determine the appropriate office or resource for assistance.
Questions about:
Program billing, payments, invoices, or payment deadlines → Contact your study abroad program directly and/or the Global Learning Office (GLO), as applicable.
Program specific costs, fees, or other program details → Review your program information in the GLO portal and/or contact the Global Learning Office (GLO) for additional details.
Study abroad health insurance → Contact the Global Learning Office (GLO) or review Study Abroad Health Insurance information.
Payment required before financial aid is disbursed → Contact your study abroad program directly to ask about available payment deferral options, eligibility requirements, and deadlines.
Programs that begin significantly before the Northwestern quarter → You may be eligible to request an early release of financial aid funds by uploading the Study Abroad Release of Funds form.
A study abroad estimate is a preliminary review of your anticipated program costs and potential financial aid eligibility. It provides an early snapshot to help you plan, budget, and prepare for upcoming expenses.
Your estimate includes:
An overview of your study abroad program costs and billing details
An estimate of your potential financial aid eligibility based on current aid-year information
A general cost breakdown to support planning and budgeting
Guidance and resources, with direct links, to help you plan for key deadlines and next steps
Your estimate is not a final financial aid award. It is a planning tool designed to help you understand your potential study abroad costs and estimated financial aid eligibility. Your actual financial aid package may change once your financial aid application has been reviewed and final program costs, enrollment details, and any outside funding or scholarships have been confirmed.
To request your estimated cost breakdown, submit a study abroad estimate request form to receive an estimated cost breakdown. This allows our office to review your program details and provide an estimate tailored to you.
Please submit only one request per program and term. Duplicate submissions will not be reviewed.
Estimate requests for the 2026–27 academic year are based on your current financial aid eligibility and the most up-to-date program information. Final amounts may change after your 2026-27 financial aid application has been reviewed and program costs are finalized. Because 2026–27 FAFSA and financial aid application materials will not be reviewed until this summer, any current estimates are based on 2025–26 aid year information.
We strongly encourage submitting all 2026-27 financial aid application materials by May 1, 2026, as delays may affect the review and processing of your aid.
Summer Study Abroad
Financial aid may be available for eligible students planning to study abroad during the summer quarter, whether through Northwestern or a partner program. Aid may be available to help cover costs beyond tuition and required fees, such as room and board associated with your study abroad program, travel expenses, and other program-related expenses. Students must be enrolled in least 2 Northwestern credits (or the equivalent).
Unlike summer coursework taken directly through Northwestern, study abroad aid is coordinated in partnership with Global Learning Office (GLO) and is based on the approved cost structure of your program.
If you haven't already requested a financial aid estimate for your summer study abroad program, we strongly encourage you to do so to learn more about your potential aid eligibility. We also recommend reviewing our Study Abroad FAQs for additional guidance.
Northwestern financial aid is limited to one aided summer study abroad experience, if eligible. Students who have already used 12 quarters of financial aid are not eligible for additional aid for a summer study abroad program. Students who are considering a summer study abroad program are strongly encouraged to work closely with their program's GLO adviser.
It's important to note that summer program costs are generally lower than those of a standard quarter, so the amount of potential aid awarded is typically smaller. As a result, some students who receive financial aid during the academic year may not qualify for need-based aid in the summer.
Here’s an example of how summer program costs can affect potential aid:
Summer program cost impact on financial aid
Quarter
Cost of Attendance
Expected family Contribution
Potential Aid or Quarter
Standard Quarter
$32,623
$5,000
$27,623
Summer Quarter – Example 1
$9,500
$5,000
$4,500
Summer Quarter – Example 2
$4,500
$5,000
$0
How Aid is Calculated
Your aid is first calculated as if you were staying at Northwestern. Once the Global Learning Office (GLO) notifies us that you will be studying abroad, we will update your aid based on your specific program and quarter(s) abroad. Because program costs can vary widely, your aid will reflect the cost of attendance for your specific study abroad program, including the exchange rate and a reasonable estimate of living expenses at your study location.
Studying abroad will not change your family contribution. This amount is always calculated based on your family's financial circumstances, as reported on your aid application materials. Most students initially receive a financial aid notice based on the cost of a full year of on-campus study. If you decide to study abroad, your aid will be updated later in the year - once program costs for your quarter abroad become available.
For programs that cost more than Northwestern, your Northwestern Scholarship assistance will be increased to cover your higher financial need. Because you cannot participate in Federal Work-Study while abroad, your work-study allotment (if any) will be offered as a subsidized loan for your quarter(s) abroad.
For programs that cost less than Northwestern, your financial need will be lower than usual, so your aid will be reduced: work-study will be reduced first, and Northwestern Scholarship may be reduced if necessary. In rare cases, some students who receive financial aid for on-campus study may not be financially eligible for need-based aid on programs whose total cost of attendance is lower than at Northwestern.
For programs that span more than one quarter, your charges and financial aid will be divided evenly across the relevant quarters. You will receive a separate bill each quarter, and your aid will be disbursed each quarter as well. Financial aid is typically disbursed a few days before the start of each Northwestern quarter, which may not align exactly with your study abroad program's schedule. Because some program costs may be due before your aid is released, and if you plan to use any eligible refunds to help cover costs, we encourage you to plan ahead, budget accordingly, and confirm with your program whether a deferral option is available. If the program requires any confirmation from our office, please email the form to our office.
Before scheduling an appointment, we encourage you to review the resources below. Many questions about study abroad costs, financial aid, and planning can be answered through these resources:
Please note: Study abroad financial aid appointments are available by Zoom only. We do not offer walk-in appointments.
Bridge Builder
If you are applying for the Bridge Builder program, an appointment is not required before submitting your application. Eligible students may apply for assistance with certain upfront study abroad expenses, including:
Program deposits
Visa-related expenses
Flight book assistance
Please note: application fees and flight refund requests are not eligible expenses for Bridge Builder assistance.
See the Bridge Builder page for questions about eligibility or the application process. For questions related to flights, flight bookings, or travel arrangements, please contact the Global Learning Office (GLO).