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Financial Aid & Study Abroad

This web page covers financial aid and how it is affected by study abroad:

For information on additional outside scholarships, see our Funding Study Abroad: Scholarships webpage.

Financial Aid Policies

Northwestern University's policy of meeting demonstrated financial need extends to students attending affiliated study abroad programs. Students who attend unaffiliated programs are not eligible for any form of financial assistance through Northwestern.

When you study abroad, as in any other quarter or year, your expected family contribution will be calculated based on your family's financial information as reported on financial aid application materials. Study abroad program costs do not impact the calculated Expected Family Contribution.

When calculating financial aid awards for study abroad, the Financial Aid Office will use a budget based on the program's costs, including tuition, room and board, personal expenses, books, transportation, insurance, visa fees (if applicable), and the Study Abroad Administrative Fee. Estimated personal and other costs do take into account reasonable cost of living for the area in which you will be studying. 

All forms of financial aid will be adjusted to meet your demonstrated need for the quarters spent studying abroad:

  • For study abroad programs that cost more than studying at Northwestern, the additional expense is shared between Northwestern and the student: Typically, half of the additional cost will be met with additional Northwestern Scholarship assistance, and half will be met with additional need-based loans.
  • For study abroad programs that cost less than studying at Northwestern, self-help (i.e., need-based loans and work-study) is typically reduced first. Northwestern Scholarship may be reduced if necessary.
  • Because Federal Work-Study is unavailable to students while they are abroad, work-study funds will be replaced with additional need-based loan funds for any quarters abroad.

Because work-study is not available and budgeted expenses for study abroad are often higher than costs on campus, your loan debt may be higher for the terms you are abroad or for the year overall. Additional loans awarded for study abroad are not eligible for Northwestern's Debt Cap Scholarship.

Applying for Financial Aid

Applying for financial aid for study abroad

  • The financial aid application is no different than that for regular campus study. For details on this process, please see the Undergraduate Financial Aid website.
  • If you will be studying abroad for during the fall or for the full year, you must submit your completed financial aid application by April 1st.
  • If you are studying abroad during winter and/or spring quarters, you must submit your application by May 1st. You will initially be awarded financial aid based on a full year on campus, and revised awards for study abroad will be calculated late in fall quarter.
  • If you receive an outside scholarship or a private loan for which a paper check is sent to the University, you may need to complete the Study Abroad Power of Attorney form -- appointing a Power of Attorney (parent/guardian) to sign the check(s) in your absence -- in order for these resources to be processed. Please contact Krista Buda if you believe you need to complete this form.

Applying for financial aid from overseas

If you will be abroad during winter and/or spring quarters, you must be sure that your financial aid application materials for the following academic year are completed by both you and a parent and submitted by May 1. You can find details on the application process on the Undergraduate Financial Aid website.

Outside Scholarships

If you already have a renewable outside scholarship:

  • Check with the donor to ensure that the scholarship may be used for study abroad.
  • If it is, make sure the scholarship check is sent to the Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid at 1801 Hinman Ave, 2nd Floor, Evanston, IL 60208-1270.
  • If you receive an outside scholarship or a private loan for which a paper check is sent to the University, you may need to complete the Study Abroad Power of Attorney form -- appointing a Power of Attorney (parent/guardian) to sign the check(s) in your absence -- in order for these resources to be processed. Please contact Krista Buda if you believe you need to complete this form.

If you would like to pursue an outside scholarship for study abroad: You are welcome to pursue outside scholarships for study abroad, but it is important to note that any outside scholarship you receive will affect your Northwestern need-based financial aid. If you are considering applying for an outside scholarship and are a recipient of need-based financial aid at Northwestern, please consult with Krista Buda, Assistant Director of Study Abroad Financial Services, to ascertain how the scholarship may affect your NU financial aid package.

Payment of non-NU charges

If your financial aid during the quarter(s) you are studying abroad is greater than the amount billed to you by Northwestern, you will have a credit balance of financial aid that can be refunded to you and should be used towards other costs associated with your program overseas. This is particularly relevant for those students studying on programs where room, board, and/or other charges will be billed to you directly by the study abroad program.

If you will have a financial aid overage, you may request that these funds be released to you by completing the Study Abroad Release of Funds form. You must print and physically sign the form; typed "signatures" cannot be accepted. You may mail or scan and email a copy of the form, or turn it in to the Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid in person.