Enrollment

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Courses at Northwestern

Northwestern offers a variety of classes that can be taken for credit toward your degree. Summer courses at Northwestern are offered through the School of Professional Studies' Office of Summer Session and Special Programs. Courses have varying lengths and times throughout the summer session. The Office of the Registrar's Summer Session chart provides the deadlines for each course type. Each session has its own start and end dates and enrollment deadlines. Summer enrollment changes may impact financial aid and tuition refunds differently than they do in the regular school year. Students should read the information below before modifying their summer schedule.

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Course Registration

Registration for the summer begins April 6, 2026 and is open through CAESAR until the fifth business day of the summer term. Once students identify the courses they want to take, they should review the Summer Session chart to identify the start, end, drop and withdrawal dates for each session. If a student needs to modify their schedule after the courses have started or after the fifth business day of the term, they should understand the financial implications of the transaction. Students who have additional questions about enrollment changes after their summer courses begin should contact their dean's office.

After the first week of the term, students must submit their add request through the Add/Drop/ P/N form.

If you have any questions about the Summer Session chart, refer to the Summer Registration Guidelines.

Enrollment Changes After Courses Begin

After the first summer courses begin or the end of the first week of the term (whichever date is first), students should make changes to their schedule via the Add/Drop/ P/N form. Before submitting the change, students should review the course session dates, the Summer Session chart and their Summer financial aid award for each course to understand the impact of the modification.

Summer Financial Aid

Students who receive financial aid during the regular academic year may also be eligible for summer financial aid. Information about individual summer aid eligibility will be sent to students in January 2026. After the term begins, students should consult with the Office of Financial Aid before dropping or adding additional courses.

Billing and Enrollment Changes

Courses have varying lengths and times throughout the summer session. The Summer Session chart provides the deadlines for each course type. Each course has its unique start and end dates with different drop, withdrawal, and refund deadlines. Summer course adds, drops, and swaps will impact financial aid and course refunds differently than the regular school year.

Students should review the course session dates, the Summer Session Chart and their Summer financial aid award for each course to understand the impact of the modification on their tuition bill.

Housing During the Summer

Limited summer housing is available for the Summer term. The Summer Contract is available in early May. Students should contact Residential Services for additional information.

Study Abroad

Northwestern offers a variety of summer credit-bearing study abroad opportunities. Study abroad opportunities at Northwestern are offered through the Office of the Provost’s Global Learning Office. Explore the Global Learning Office’s summer study abroad programs to find a program that fits your unique needs. During summer session, study abroad start and end dates vary by program. Current financial aid recipients may be eligible for summer aid for Northwestern or partner summer study abroad programs. Northwestern financial aid is limited to one aided summer study abroad experience, if eligible.

Taking Courses at Other Institutions

Students wishing to take courses at other institutions (both domestically and abroad) and transfer the credit back to Northwestern must follow the process identified by the Office of the Registrar.

Students also should review the Transfer credit policies and review process.