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, 2012 (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:

  1. Complete the 2012-13 FAFSA by March 1 using school code 001739
  2. Complete the 2012-13 Need Access Form by March 1.
  3. Submit two items to our office by March 15:
    1. 2011 Student income information
    2. 2011 Parental tax information (if you are considered NU Dependent)
  4. Northwestern will determine your financial aid eligibility and aid package.
  5. Accept or decline your award package.

Note: Application instructions are different for Continuing Medical Students and International Students.

1. Complete the 2012-13 FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by March 1

  • Visit the FAFSA web site and complete the online form using school code 001739.
    • 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. Complete the 2012-13 Need Access Application

  • The 2011-12 Need Access Application will be available online at http://www.needaccess.org as of January 2, 2012.
  • RECEIPT DEADLINE: March 15, 2012. We recommend you submit your Need Access form by March 1, 2012 to ensure it is received by the March 15 deadline.
  • Be sure to select "Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine".
  • 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.)
  • International students are only required to complete this form.


 3. Submit Two additional items to our office by March 15, 2012:

1. Student income information:

  • Download and complete the 2012-13 Verification of Student (and Spouse) Income form (pdf).
  • Submit signed copies of your 2011 Federal Income Tax return and W-2 forms (if you filed an Income Tax return in 2011).
    • If you have not yet filed your 2011 federal tax return, please submit a copy of your 2010 federal tax return, W2s and 2010 W2 forms along with the verification of student income form.
    • If you will be married by October 2012, you must also submit a copy of your spouse's federal tax return.

2. 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 2012-13 Verification of Parent's Income form (pdf).
  • Submit signed copies of their 2011 federal Income Tax return and W-2 forms
    • If your parents have not yet filed their 2011 federal tax return, please have them submit a copy of the 2010 federal tax return and W2s along with the 2011 W2 forms. This may allow the Office of Financial Aid to provide you with a provisional financial aid award.

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.)

4. 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.

5. Accept or decline your award package

Our office will begin sending financial award decision e-mails on a rolling basis beginning April 2, 2012.

Learn more about how to accept or decline your award.