Need-Based Financial Aid for Study Abroad
Northwestern financial aid may be used for participation on Northwestern programs, exchanges, global practicum, and partner programs during the academic year, and for Northwestern programs over the summer. If you receive need-based financial aid, it should not cost you any more of less out of pocket to study abroad than to study on campus.
Students who attend Partner programs in the summer may be eligible to apply for GLO scholarships to defray their costs.
Students who attend independent programs are not eligible for any form of assistance through Northwestern financial aid, including loans.
Your regular aid is based on the cost of living and studying in Evanston. Your study abroad financial aid will be based on Northwestern tuition and the actual non-tuition costs of the program you attend, including the exchange rate and a reasonable cost of living for the location in which you will be studying.
Each program page includes estimated total costs, including tuition, room and board, transportation, books, personal expenses, required international health insurance, student visa, and the Study Abroad Administrative Fee, if applicable.
The financial aid office calculates your expected family contribution (EFC) based on your financial aid application each year. Study abroad does not change your calculated EFC, and your aid will be adjusted for your quarter(s) abroad based on the total cost of your program; typically:
- For programs that cost more than Northwestern, your Northwestern scholarship assistance will be increased to cover your higher financial need. Because you cannot participate in Federal Work-Study while abroad, your work-study allotment will be offered as a subsidized loan for your quarter(s) abroad.
- For programs that cost less than Northwestern, your financial need will be lower, so your aid would be reduced. Work-study will be reduced or eliminated first, and Northwestern scholarship may be reduced if necessary.
Estimated living costs may be provided by each program or determined from cost of living calculators, or some combination thereof. To ensure access and equity for all students, Northwestern may adjust program-provided cost estimates that are higher or lower than average. Individual aid adjustments will not be made for expenses that differ from budgeted costs, including airfare.
Schedule an appointment with a study abroad financial aid counselor to discuss your specific program, aid, and budgeting.
Plan Your Budget
Pre-Departure Expenses:
Many pre-departure costs will occur before your program actually starts and your financial aid is disbursed. Be sure to budget for these expenses. Students with high financial need may be eligible to apply to the Bridge Builder program for assistance with many of these up-front costs.
Evanston Housing:
Financial aid cannot cover the cost of your housing in Evanston while you are abroad, so be sure to cancel your on-campus room and board contract or sublet your off-campus apartment for the quarter(s) you will be abroad. Students who are considering both studying abroad and living off campus in the same academic year are strongly encouraged to email the Undergraduate Financial Office to discuss financial aid and budgeting.
Financial aid does not cover:
- Study abroad application fees
- Bank fees, currency exchange fees, or international transaction fees
- Shipping or expediting fees related to obtaining a passport or student visa.
- Travel or parking expenses related to obtaining a student visa.
- Shipping or storage costs.
- Flight change fees or other costs related to flight cancellations or missed connections.
- Refundable security deposits or damage deposits.
- International cell phones or usage.
- Luggage, bag fees, or lost luggage.
- Plug or power adapters.
- Personal travel (vacation/tourism) abroad.
- Expenses related to optional internships, including work visas, clothing, or additional living expenses for extended time abroad; or supplementary fees from your program, such as additional course fees, housing upgrades, optional excursions, or optional orientations, pre-sessions, or pre-program language courses.
- Additional exclusions may apply.
Financial Aid Application & Timeline
If you currently receive need-based aid from Northwestern, the financial aid application is the same for study abroad as for regular on-campus study. Refer to your CAESAR > Financial Aid > To Do List for application materials and completion status.
If you will attend a fall or full-year program, you may receive a financial aid award in late winter or early spring that will assume your regular full-year attendance in Evanston. Your financial aid will be adjusted to include study abroad by late spring, after program costs have been finalized for the upcoming year.
If you will study abroad during winter and/or spring quarters, you will initially receive a financial aid award for a full year on campus. Your aid will be adjusted later in the year for winter/spring study abroad after the study abroad confirmation deadline for your term.
If you will attend a Northwestern summer program, you may apply separately for summer aid and scholarships.
If you do not currently receive financial aid but are interested in applying for need-based assistance for the first time, email the Undergraduate Financial Office in the financial aid office.
Financial Aid Refunds
If your financial aid is greater than the amount billed to you by Northwestern, you may be eligible for a financial aid refund, which can be used toward your other study abroad costs. This is particularly important since your program will bill you directly for your housing abroad and other charges. If eligible, you may request your aid refund through CAESAR on the first day of the Northwestern quarter in Evanston.
Financial aid disbursement follows the Northwestern academic calendar and may not align with your study abroad program’s start date. If your program begins before the Northwestern quarter, the following options may be available:
- Payment required before financial aid is disbursed → Contact your study abroad program directly to ask about available payment deferral options, eligibility requirements, and deadlines.
- Programs that begin significantly before the Northwestern quarter → You may be eligible to request an early release of financial aid funds by completing the Study Abroad Release of Funds form.
Financial aid refunds generally are not available early enough to help with pre-departure expenses, such as program deposits and airfare. Be sure to plan for these costs.
Financial aid refunds can only be released directly to students and cannot be sent as payment to any third party, including your study abroad program. If your program will bill you directly for your housing or other charges, it is your responsibility to request your aid refund and process payment on time to your program.
International Students on Financial Aid
International students (F-1 or J-1 visa) currently receiving need-based Northwestern financial aid may be eligible to use their aid for Northwestern programs, GESI, Northwestern exchanges, or partner study abroad programs. Your family contribution will remain the same, and your aid will be adjusted based on the cost of your program, as outlined above. International students who currently receive Northwestern aid should continue to follow the normal procedures and deadlines to reapply for Northwestern aid annually. International students not currently receiving Northwestern financial aid are not eligible to apply for aid.
International students are not eligible to use their Northwestern aid to "study abroad" in their country of citizenship or permanent residence. Exceptions to this policy will only be considered upon receipt of a written appeal, which must include:
- A compelling academic reason for attending the program in your home country, including how your coursework will apply to your Northwestern degree program, and
- A letter of support from an academic advisor detailing why this program or coursework cannot be completed in Evanston or elsewhere.
If approved, your financial aid to study in your home country will not cover non-applicable study abroad expenses, including but not limited to student visa fees, international health insurance, and airfare.
International students may be eligible to consider the home country exemption to enroll independently in courses at foreign institutions. Financial aid does not apply to the home country exemption.