Applying For Financial Aid
Need to apply for financial aid? Not sure how the FAFSA works? Get the details here.
Applying for financial aid is actually pretty easy. There is just one form you need to fill out– the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA), available now at www.fafsa.gov. First, you and one parent will each need a Federal Student Aid ID, which you can get here. Your FSA ID will be your electronic signature, so keep it safe!
VERIFICATION
Verification is a simple audit that 1/3 of the families (nation-wide) need to go through. If you are selected, UNW will let you know what we need from you. Don’t delay on sending those materials in because we cannot award you until you have completed the verification process, if you are selected for it.
APPEALS
The FAFSA is a very vague document, so if there is anything extra that Northwestern should know about, please file an appeal.
Some common appealable situations:
- A lost job or reduction in income
- Owning a business
- Elementary/secondary private school tuition
- Out of pocket medical expenses
- Support for an extended family member
- A parent in college
AFTER YOU GET YOUR AWARD LETTER …
Please schedule a phone call with your Admission Counselor so that you can go over the award letter together. We love it when you have your parent(s) in on the same phone call, so that we can all be on the same page. Our counselors like to make sure you know what everything means, answer any questions you might have, explain work study, discuss payment plan options. It might seem self-explanatory, but we really do appreciate getting the chance to discuss it with your family.
