International Students (All Programs)
Below is an overview of the financial aid application process for returning international students.
The information on this page applies to the following programs:
- Feinberg School of Medicine (MD Program)
- Pritzker School of Law (all programs)
- Kellogg Evening & Weekend MBA Program
- Physical Therapy Program
- Prosthetics/Orthotics Program
- Physician Assistant Program
- SPS Graduate Programs
- SPS Undergraduate Programs
Note: Students in SPS non-degree and professional development programs need only complete the 2022-23 University Aid Application.
Suggested Submission Dates
Students are encouraged to return all completed application materials by the suggested submission date listed below. For programs that list suggested submission dates by term, your application suggested submission date is based on the first term for which you are applying for financial aid for the academic year.
| Program | Suggested Submission Date |
|---|---|
| Feinberg School of Medicine (MD program) | April 1, 2022 |
| Pritzker School of Law | JD, JD-MBA, Tax-LLM: May 2, 2022 Residential and Online MSL: July 1, 2022 |
| Kellogg Evening & Weekend MBA Program | Summer: May 13, 2022 Fall: August 8, 2022 Winter: November 28, 2022 Spring: March 1, 2023 |
| Physical Therapy Program | May 2, 2022 |
| Prosthetics/Orthotics Program | May 2, 2022 |
| Physician Assistant Program | May 2, 2022 |
| SPS (graduate and undergraduate programs) | Fall: July 15, 2022 Winter: November 11, 2022 Spring: February 10, 2023 Summer: April 24, 2023 |
Importance of meeting suggested submission dates
Meeting the financial aid application suggested submission dates listed above ensures that students will receive their financial aid award notice, can complete all required loan documentation, and have their funds disburse by the first day of classes. Students who apply for financial aid after their suggested submission date cannot be guaranteed that financial aid funds will disburse by the first day of class. Applications received after the suggested submission date will be processed in the order in which they were received.
Financial aid applications may not be processed once a term has ended (in other words, students may not be eligible to receive funds for the Fall term if they apply for those funds during the Winter term).
Application steps
- Complete the University Aid Application
- Accept or decline your award package
- Apply or re-apply for your private loan
1. Complete the University Aid Application
Students may access this document online via their To-Do list for the 2022-23 academic year in CAESAR in mid-March 2022. Your "To-Do List" can be reviewed in CAESAR through either the "Tasks" tile on the homepage, or by clicking on the "Financial Aid" tile from the homepage and then selecting "To-Do List" from the left-hand navigation. If you are unable to access this document via your To-Do list, please contact the Chicago Office of Financial Aid.
2. Accept or decline your loan assistance
Suggested submission date: As soon as possible after you receive financial aid eligibility notification
- After you submit all application materials, Northwestern will determine your aid package. Learn more about how aid is determined.
- Next, our office will send financial aid eligibility notification emails detailing your financial aid package. Your package will likely include private international student loans.
- Student must accept or decline any loan assistance offered to them via CAESAR. Learn more about the steps to accept or decline.
3. Apply or re-apply for your private student loan
If you have been offered a private international student loan on your award notice, you must complete the application and be approved for the loan program of your choice through the lender's website. This online application must be completed each academic year in order to receive funds for this loan. Be advised that international students interested in obtaining a private student loan may need a credit-worthy U.S. citizen/permanent resident cosigner. Additional information about this process will be included on your financial aid eligibility notification email.
Note: Students in SPS non-degree and professional development programs need only complete the 2021-22 University Aid Application.
Suggested Submission Dates
Students are encouraged to return all completed application materials by the suggested submission date listed below. For programs that list suggested submission dates by term, your application suggested submission date is based on the first term for which you are applying for financial aid for the academic year.
| Program | Suggested Submission Date |
|---|---|
| Feinberg School of Medicine (MD program) | April 1, 2021 |
| Pritzker School of Law | ELLM in Chicago: April 1, 2021 JD, JD-MBA, Tax-LLM: May 1, 2021 Residential and Online MSL: July 1, 2021 |
| Kellogg Evening & Weekend MBA Program | Summer: May 15, 2021 Fall: August 9, 2021 Winter: November 29, 2021 Spring: March 1, 2022 |
| Physical Therapy Program | May 1, 2021 |
| Prosthetics/Orthotics Program | May 1, 2021 |
| Physician Assistant Program | May 1, 2021 |
| SPS (graduate and undergraduate programs) | Fall: July 15, 2021 Winter: November 12, 2021 Spring: February 12, 2022 Summer: April 25, 2022 |
Importance of meeting suggested submission dates
Meeting the financial aid application suggested submission dates listed above ensures that students will receive their financial aid award notice, can complete all required loan documentation, and have their funds disburse by the first day of classes. Students who apply for financial aid after their suggested submission date cannot be guaranteed that financial aid funds will disburse by the first day of class. Applications received after the suggested submission date will be processed in the order in which they were received.
Financial aid applications may not be processed once a term has ended (in other words, students may not be eligible to receive funds for the Fall term if they apply for those funds during the Winter term).
Application steps
- Complete the University Aid Application
- Accept or decline your award package
- Apply or re-apply for your private loan
1. Complete the University Aid Application
Students may access this document online via their To-Do list for the 2021-22 academic year in CAESAR in mid-March 2021. Your "To-Do List" can be reviewed in CAESAR through either the "Tasks" tile on the homepage, or by clicking on the "Financial Aid" tile from the homepage and then selecting "To-Do List" from the left-hand navigation. If you are unable to access this document via your To-Do list, please contact the Chicago Office of Financial Aid.
2. Accept or decline your award package
Suggested submission date: As soon as possible after you receive award notice
- After you submit all application materials, Northwestern will determine your aid package. Learn more about how aid is determined.
- Next, our office will begin sending financial award decision emails on a rolling basis beginning June 1, 2021. Your package may include private international student loans.
- Student must accept or decline their award package via CAESAR. Learn more about the steps to accept or decline.
3. Apply or re-apply for your private student loan
If you have been offered a private international student loan on your award notice, you must complete the application for the loan program of your choice through the lender's website. This online application must be completed each academic year in order to receive funds for this loan. Be advised that international students interested in obtaining a private student loan may need a credit-worthy U.S. citizen/permanent resident cosigner. Additional information about this process will be included on your Award Notification email.