Application Instructions for Incoming Medical Students
Below you will see an overview of the financial aid application process for incoming, accepted first-year medical students. To be considered for all available financial assistance (including priority consideration for institutional need-based grants), return all completed application materials by March 15, 2011 (or three weeks after receiving your acceptance, whichever is later). Students who submit their application after the deadline will be considered for financial aid, but may not qualify for all programs based on availability of funds.
Click on the steps listed below for more detailed instructions:
- Complete the FAFSA by March 1 using school code 001739
- Submit three items to our office by March 15:
- Northwestern will determine your financial aid eligibility and aid package
- Accept or decline your award package
Note: Application instructions are different for Continuing Medical Students and International Students.
1. Complete the 2011-12 FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by March 2
- Visit the FAFSA website and complete the online form.
- Complete the parent section if you are classified as a NU Dependent (What is this?) and wish to be considered for institutional grants or need-based loans.
Note: If your parents are currently separated or were divorced after September 1, 2008, 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 stepparent's information as well.) - Designate Northwestern as the recipient of the information; our federal school code is 001739.
After the FAFSA is processed (allow two weeks), you will receive a SAR (Student Aid Report) summarizing your information. Resolve any incorrect information via the FAFSA web site, or by returning the corrected and signed SAR. If you do not receive your SAR within four weeks, or if you need to request a duplicate, call 800-433-3243.
2. Submit the following three items to our office by March 15:
2011-12 University Aid Application
Download and complete the 2011-12 University Aid Application (pdf).
Student income information
- Download and complete the 2011-12 Verification of Student Income form (pdf).
- Attach signed copies of your 2010 Federal Income Tax return and W-2 forms (if you filed an Income Tax return in 2010).
Parental income information
If you are considered NU Dependent (Learn more about NU Dependency Status) you must submit the following income information:
- Download and complete the 2011-12 Verification of Parent's Income form (pdf).
- Attach signed copies of their 2010 Federal Income Tax return and W-2 forms
NU Dependents with divorced parents may need to submit additional tax returns:
- If your parents are currently separated or were divorced after September 1, 2008 submit tax returns for both parents.
- If they were divorced before September 1, 2008, submit a tax return for your custodial parent only. (If your custodial parent has remarried, submit your stepparent's tax return as well.)
3. Northwestern will determine your financial aid eligibility and aid package
The basic equation for need based financial aid is as follows:
Cost of Attendance (COA) - Expected Family Contribution (EFC) = Demonstrated Institutional Need
All applications will be reviewed in the order they were received.
4. Accept or decline your award package
Our office will begin sending financial award decision e-mails on a rolling basis beginning April 1, 2011.
