NU Fees and Credit

Most students who receive credit for study abroad at Northwestern pay the Study Abroad Administrative Fee (SAAF). They are enrolled in a study abroad placeholder course for the duration of their time abroad and must follow specific guidelines for credit transfer. Course names and grades from abroad will not appear on the Northwestern transcript or be factored into the GPA.

Exceptions

Students attending the following Northwestern programs are enrolled in regular Northwestern courses during their study abroad programs:

Students who attend these programs are not charged the Study Abroad Administrative Fee; specific program fees can be found on the program pages. Students who attend any of these programs also do not need to go through the regular credit transfer process, as all courses and grades from abroad will already appear on the Northwestern transcript. These study abroad courses are subject to the rules and restrictions as the same numbered courses taught in Evanston. For more information, please review the WCAS Rules & Policies for Study Abroad.

Exchange Programs

Students attending Northwestern exchange programs are not charged the Study Abroad Administrative Fee.

However, students attending Northwestern exchange programs will be enrolled in the study abroad placeholder course while abroad and must follow the school-specific guidelines for credit transfer upon return.

Students attending the French Field Study Program (IFE/Sciences Po):

  • Will be charged the SAAF for the fall IFE portion
  • Will not be charged the SAAF for the winter/spring Sciences Po exchange portion
  • Will be enrolled in the study abroad placeholder course during all three quarters
  • Must complete two separate program evaluations and follow the school-specific guidelines for credit transfer upon return.