Pre-Departure Expenses

If you don't already have a passport, start this process as soon as possible. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your planned return to the U.S.

Need additional support? Consider the GLO Passport Initiative.

GLO is awarding funding to cover the cost of a U.S. passport for 15 students. Award recipients will be walked through the entire passport application process, culminating in a visit to the Evanston Post Office to submit their applications. 

Questions? Email Ryan Rounds

Learn more about passports

There is no application fee for the Northwestern University online study abroad application.

If your program provider or host university requires an application fee, this fee is your responsibility. Northwestern cannot pay this fee on your behalf, and financial aid is not available for study abroad application fees, including the Bridge Builder program.

If paying your application fee will present a significant financial hardship, you may want to contact your program directly to inquire if this fee can be waived, but this option is not always possible, especially if you are applying directly to a foreign institution.

After you are accepted to a partner program,you may need to pay a confirmation deposit and/or housing deposit directly to the program. It is your responsibility to pay the deposit(s) directly to the program, not to Northwestern. These deposits are typically credited to your program costs but are usually non-refundable if you withdraw. Northwestern cannot pay or waive deposits for other programs.

Northwestern programs don't require deposits but may charge a fee if you withdraw, depending on the timing.

If you receive financial aid, your deposit amount is included in your study abroad aid package. If paying your program's deposit would create a significant financial hardship for your family, reach out to your program provider directly, they may be able to reduce or defer your deposit.

Need additional support?

If you have high financial need, you may be eligible for assistance with program deposits through the Bridge Builder program.

Check your program page to see if you need a visa. Costs vary significantly by country ($55-1,100) and may require travel to a consulate. Depending on your program or program sponsor, visa expenses may be included in your program fee, or you may need to cover this cost directly (out of pocket) at time of application. For Northwestern financial aid recipients, the cost of visas and related fees will be included in your study abroad financial aid, but you may need to cover this cost out of pocket before your aid is available.

Need additional support?

If you have high financial need, you may be eligible for assistance with visas through the Bridge Builder program.

Learn more about visas

If you need to obtain any immunizations prior to your departure, these expenses are your responsibility.

Northwestern financial aid is unable to offer scholarship assistance for the cost of immunizations related to study abroad; however, you may be able to request loan assistance to reimburse you for these costs. Documentation of post-insurance costs is required. Email the Financial aid office with questions.

Most students are responsible for arranging their own flights to and from their programs.Confirm arrival requirements with your program.

Students with high financial need may be eligible to apply to the Bridge Builder program for assistance with booking flights to their program location.

Need additional support? If you have high financial need, you may be eligible for assistance with airfare through the Bridge Builder program.

Learn more about flight logistics