Student Financial Services

Your obligations as a student loan borrower may begin while you are in school.
• Student payments are optional
• Attend an exit interview before graduation
• Exit interview schedules for Undergraduate or Graduate students

Make optional in-school payments
With the exception of NU Loans issued to undergraduate parents, which require repayment upon disbursement, repayment of the loan principal begins at graduation or separation from Northwestern.

However, some loans accrue interest immediately upon disbursement. If you make student loan interest payments, you may be eligible to deduct all or a portion of the amount paid on your federal income tax return.

For NU Loans, interest left unpaid will be capitalized following the loan's grace period. That means that the accrued interest is added to the outstanding principal balance of the loan. From that point forward, interest is assessed on the new, higher principal balance.

Attend an Exit Interview before Graduation
Federal regulations require all borrowers of federal student loans to attend an exit interview before graduation. Northwestern encourages all student loan borrowers to attend an exit interview.

You will receive an invitation to attend a group exit interview which will occur in May. If you are unable to attend one of the group interviews, contact your loan services representative to schedule an individual interview.

At this session:
• Your loan repayment obligations will be outlined.
• You will receive a copy of the Northwestern University Student Loan Repayment Handbook.
• You must provide address and contact information for loan billing.
• You will have a chance to ask questions about your loans.

Please bring the following items to the exit interview: (1) a driver's license, (2) the addresses and phone numbers of two family members or friends who you have known for at least five years who do not live with you.

Undergraduate Exits Schedule- EVANSTON CAMPUS 

Graduate Exits Schedule -EVANSTON CAMPUS