Applying for financial aid

FAFSA online form

Northwestern’s FAFSA code: 001883

Applying for financial aid can be confusing, even intimidating for some families. Our financial services staff will try to make it as understandable and easy as possible—please contact us with any questions or concerns you have.

Also, be patient. 100% of Northwestern students receive financial aid, so don’t make any decisions about where you’ll attend college until you’ve got all your information and can make a true comparison of real college costs.

The steps below will take you through the financial aid application process. Again, don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions.

1. Apply for admission to Northwestern College. You must be accepted for admission before you’re eligible for financial aid.
2. Between Jan. 1 and April 1, apply for federal and state funds using the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). You can use an online form. Northwestern’s FAFSA code is 001883.
3. Once you receive your financial aid notification form, accept (or decline) each award on your MyNWC account as soon as possible. This will ensure your access to the limited funding available through federal, state and institutional financial aid programs—or release the monies for someone else if you decide not to attend NWC.
4. All financial aid money will be dispersed and credited to a student's account once all required steps for each program are completed and aid is accepted as indicated in (3) above.

Once financial aid packages are awarded, a student maintains his/her eligibility each subsequent year, as long as he/she remains in good academic standing, files a FAFSA each year and maintains any specified criteria related to each aid program.

Financial aid instructions for international students