Tips for Completing the FAFSA Online

In addition to the specific tips mentioned below, the FAFSA web site offers thorough instructions. You may contact our office if you have any questions or need assistance.

Question 22

  • Only male students between the ages of 18 and 25 who have not yet registered with Selective Service should answer "Yes" to this question.
  • Male students who are already registered or 26 years old and older should answer "No."
  • Female students should answer "No."

Question 31

Please don't leave this question blank.

  • If you answer "Yes" to this question, the Department of Education will send you a worksheet in the mail to determine your eligibility for aid.

Question 36

Make sure that you enter your income tax paid, not income tax withheld. Income tax amount is on the following lines of your IRS Forms:

  • Form 1040: line 57
  • Form 1040A: line 35
  • Form 1040EZ: line 10

Question 49

The following students should answer "Yes" to this question:

  • Feinberg School of Medicine students
  • School of Law students
  • Department of Physical Therapy students
  • Prosthetics-Orthotics students
  • Part-Time MBA students
  • SCS Graduate students

Question 97a-97h

Enter "Northwestern University" and federal school code 001739 in this section so we receive your FAFSA data from the federal processor.

Parent Section

  • Undergraduate dependent students must submit their parents' information on the FAFSA, and their parent must sign the FAFSA in order to be eligible for federal financial aid. Students in the School of Continuing Studies Undergraduate program are considered dependent for the purposes of federal aid if they answer "no" to all of the following questions:
    1. Are you over the age of 24?
    2. Are you married?
    3. Do you have children or other dependents for whom you provide 50% or more of their financial support?
    4. Are you a Veteran of the United States Armed Forces?
    5. Are you currently on active duty in the United States Armed Forces?
    6. Are/Were you an orphan or ward of the court before your 18th birthday?
  • Medical students who are considered NU Dependents (more about dependency status) must complete this section if they wish to be considered for institutional grants and need-based loans.
  • Note to NU Dependent Medical Students: If your parents are currently separated or were divorced after September 1, 2005, submit financial information for both parents; if they were divorced before that date, submit information for your custodial parent only (If your custodial parent has remarried, submit your step-parent's information as well).