Information for Veterans

Glossary

Forms

Resources

Contact

Phone: (312) 503-8722
Fax: (312) 503-8700
Address: 710 N. Lake Shore Drive, Room 629
Chicago, IL 60611
Hours: 8:30am - 5pm, M-F
financial-aid-chicago@northwestern.edu

A student's financial aid award is established on an individual basis and depends upon the cost of attendance and the expected family contribution. The amount that remains after the family contribution has been applied towards the cost of attendance is considered the student's institutional need. In short:

Cost of attendance minus expected family contribution equals institutional need.

Cost of attendance

The cost of attendance changes each year, and it includes tuition, fees, room and board, transportation and other figures. See the cost of attendance for the School of Continuing Studies Undergraduate Program in the 2010-11 academic year.

Expected Family Contribution

To determine the family contribution, Northwestern examines aid application materials and notes any special circumstances.

If you are a federally Dependent student, the expected family contribution includes both a parental contribution and a student contribution:

• The parental contribution is based on a number of factors, including the parents' income, assets, and family size.
• The student contribution includes a portion of their personal assets each year and savings from summer employment. The summer earnings expectation varies based on class level and actual reported income.

You are considered federally dependent and must submit your parent's information and signature on the FAFSA if you answer "no" to all of the following questions:

1. Are you over the age of 24 as of January 1 of the current academic year?
2. Are you married?
3. Do you have children for whom you provide 50% or more of their financial support?
4. Do you have other dependents for whom you provide 50% or more of their financial support?
5. Are you a Veteran of the United States Armed Forces?
6. Are you currently on active duty in the United States Armed Forces?
7. Are/were you an orphan or ward of the court?

If you are federally Independent, the expected family contribution includes only the student contribution, which is based on income, asset and family size.