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 2024-25 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, 2024 |
| Pritzker School of Law | JD, JD-MBA, Tax-LLM: May 2, 2024 Residential and Online MSL: July 3, 2024 |
| Kellogg Evening & Weekend MBA Program | Summer: May 15, 2024 Fall: August 8, 2024 Winter: November 28, 2024 Spring: March 1, 2025 |
| Physical Therapy Program | May 2, 2024 |
| Prosthetics/Orthotics Program | May 2, 2024 |
| Physician Assistant Program | May 2, 2024 |
| SPS (graduate and undergraduate programs) | Fall: July 17, 2024 Winter: November 13, 2024 Spring: February 12, 2025 Summer: April 24, 2025 |
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 2024-25 academic year in CAESAR in mid-March 2024. 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 2025-26 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, 2025 |
| Pritzker School of Law | JD, JD-MBA, Tax-LLM: May 2, 2025 Residential and Online MSL: July 3, 2025 |
| Kellogg Evening & Weekend MBA Program | Summer: May 15, 2025 Fall: August 8, 2025 Winter: November 28, 2025 Spring: March 1, 2026 |
| Physical Therapy Program | May 2, 2025 |
| Prosthetics/Orthotics Program | May 2, 2025 |
| Physician Assistant Program | May 2, 2025 |
| SPS (graduate and undergraduate programs) | Fall: July 17, 2025 Winter: November 13, 2025 Spring: February 12, 2026 Summer: April 24, 2026 |
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 2025-26 academic year in CAESAR in mid-March 2025. 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.