Northwestern University International Scholarships
Undergraduate financial aid and scholarship assistance provided by Northwestern University for qualifying students, including a small group of international applicants. Aid packages combine scholarships, grants, student loans, and federal work study based on financial need.
Quick Facts
Status
Funding
Full / PartialDeadline
February 1 for Regular Decision FAFSA and CSS Profile; December 1 for Early Decision CSS Profile; January 1 for Early Decision FAFSA
Country
United StatesAll United States guidesEvery United States scholarship in one place→About the Northwestern University International Scholarships
Northwestern University provides undergraduate financial aid through institutional scholarships, federal grants, and state programs administered by the Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid. The university evaluates applicant financial need through dedicated application processes tailored to prospective, transfer, early decision, regular decision, and international students.
Financial aid is available to a small group of international students. International applicants must apply as entering freshmen to remain eligible for financial aid in subsequent academic years. Aid packages for qualifying students typically consist of a combination of scholarship or grant assistance, student loans, and student employment.
The application process requires submitting specific financial forms depending on the admission track. Regular decision applicants must submit the FAFSA and CSS Profile by February 1, along with tax materials submitted via IDOC by February 5. Early decision applicants follow an accelerated schedule, with the CSS Profile due December 1, FAFSA due January 1, and tax materials due December 5.
Students applying for institutional aid must use Northwestern's federal school code 001739 for the FAFSA and school code 1565 for the CSS Profile. If parents are divorced or separated, both custodial and noncustodial parents must complete separate Profile applications.
The Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid is located at 633 Clark Street, Suite 1603, Evanston, IL 60208-0001. Students can contact the office by phone at 847.491.7400 or via email at undergradaid@u.northwestern.edu for questions regarding applications, document uploads, and award packages.
Eligible Levels
Eligible Fields
Why Choose This Scholarship?
Provides institutional financial aid access to a select group of international undergraduate students
Combines gift aid like scholarships and grants with work study and loan options
Clear application timelines aligned with regular and early decision admissions pathways
Dedicated financial aid support office located at the Evanston campus
What the Scholarship Covers
Studying in United States
International undergraduate financial aid at Northwestern University is restricted to a small group of students who enter as freshmen.
Eligibility Requirements
6 requirements
Documents Checklist
6 documents required
How to Apply - Step by Step
Determine your admission track (Regular Decision, Early Decision, Transfer, or International).
Complete and submit the FAFSA at the FAFSA website using Northwestern school code 001739.
Complete and submit the CSS Profile at the College Board website using Northwestern school code 1565.
Submit custodial parents and student federal tax returns and W-2s through the College Board Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC).
Upload any additional requested financial aid documents securely via the Northwestern document upload tool if instructed.
Review your financial aid award package provided shortly after or alongside your admission decision.
Application Timeline
October 1
Application Opening
FAFSA and CSS Profile applications become available for the upcoming academic year
December 1
Early Decision Deadlines
CSS Profile and FAFSA due for early decision applicants; tax materials due December 5
February 1
Regular Decision Deadlines
FAFSA and CSS Profile due for regular decision and international applicants; tax materials due February 5
Spring
Award Notification
Aid packages are communicated shortly after or alongside admission decisions
Insider Tips & Pro Tips
Apply as an entering freshman if you are an international student to ensure eligibility for aid in later years
Submit your FAFSA and CSS Profile well before the stated deadlines to account for processing times
Ensure both custodial and noncustodial parents complete separate CSS Profile applications if your parents are divorced or separated
Send your signed tax returns and W-2s directly to the College Board IDOC service rather than the financial aid office
Check your CAESAR checklist 2 to 3 business days after uploading any documents to confirm receipt
Important Links & Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions - click any to expand
Yes, financial aid is available to a small group of international students. You must apply as an entering freshman to remain eligible for aid in subsequent years.
Northwestern's federal school code for the FAFSA is 001739, and the CSS Profile school code is 1565.
Signed tax returns and W-2s must be sent to the College Board's Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC), not directly to the Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid.
If your biological or adoptive parents are divorced or separated, both your custodial parent and your noncustodial parent must each complete a separate CSS Profile application.
Check the Official Website
This scholarship typically opens around October. Confirm the current cycle and deadline on the official portal.
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