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 2018-19 University Aid Application.
Deadlines
Students are encouraged to return all completed application materials by the deadline listed below. For programs that list deadlines by term, your application deadline is based on the first term for which you are applying for financial aid for the academic year.
| Program | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Feinberg School of Medicine (MD program) | April 2, 2018 |
| Pritzker School of Law | ELLM in Chicago: April 2, 2018 JD, JD-MBA, Tax-LLM: May 1, 2018 Residential MSL: June 1, 2018 |
| Kellogg Evening & Weekend MBA Program | Summer: May 15, 2018 Fall: August 10, 2018 Winter: November 30, 2018 Spring: March 1, 2019 |
| Physical Therapy Program | May 1, 2018 |
| Prosthetics/Orthotics Program | May 1, 2018 |
| Physician Assistant Program | May 1, 2018 |
| SPS (graduate and undergraduate programs) | Fall: July 12, 2018 Winter: November 9, 2018 Spring: February 8, 2019 Summer: April 26, 2019 |
Importance of meeting deadlines
Meeting the financial aid application deadlines 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 deadline cannot be guaranteed that financial aid funds will disburse by the first day of class. Applications received after the deadline 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 2018-19 academic year in CAESAR in mid-March 2018. 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
Deadline: 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 send financial award decision emails detailing your financial aid package. 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.
Note: SPS non-degree and professional development programs need only complete the 2017-18 University Aid Application.
Deadlines
Students are encouraged to return all completed application materials by the deadline listed below. For programs that list deadlines by term, your application deadline is based on the first term for which you are applying for financial aid for the academic year.
| Program | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Feinberg School of Medicine (MD program) | April 3, 2017 |
| Pritzker School of Law | ELLM in Chicago: April 3, 2017 All other programs: May 1, 2017 |
| Kellogg Evening & Weekend MBA Program | Summer: May 15, 2017 Fall: August 11, 2017 Winter: December 1, 2017 Spring: March 2, 2018 |
| Physical Therapy Program | May 1, 2017 |
| Prosthetics/Orthotics Program | May 1, 2017 |
| Physician Assistant Program | May 1, 2017 |
| SPS (graduate and undergraduate programs) | Fall: July 12, 2017 Winter: November 9, 2017 Spring: February 9, 2018 Summer: April 27, 2018 |
Importance of meeting deadlines
Meeting the financial aid application deadlines 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 deadline cannot be guaranteed that financial aid funds will disburse by the first day of class. Applications received after the deadline 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 2017-18 academic year in CAESAR in mid-March 2017. 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
Deadline: 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 send financial award decision emails detailing your financial aid package. 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.