Northwestern University in the United States offers several forms of financial support for domestic and international students pursuing undergraduate, master’s, MBA, and PhD programs.
However, the funding available depends on the level and program. International undergraduate students may receive need-based financial aid that can cover up to 100% of demonstrated financial need, while doctoral students in The Graduate School are typically offered full funding through a combination of tuition scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships.
For the 2026–27 academic year, Northwestern lists a minimum PhD stipend of $47,748 per year. Doctoral funding is typically guaranteed for at least five years, although the exact funding package and duration can vary by program.
Northwestern University Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: United States of America
- Host Institution: Northwestern University
- Study Levels: Bachelor’s, Master’s, MBA, and PhD
- Eligible Countries: Domestic and international students, depending on the funding opportunity
- Funding Type: Need-based financial aid, merit scholarships, fellowships, assistantships, and fully funded PhD packages
- PhD Stipend: Minimum $47,748 per year for 2026–27
- PhD Tuition: Typically covered through the funding package
- PhD Health Insurance: Covered as part of eligible funding packages
- Undergraduate International Aid: Need-based
- Application Deadline: Varies by program and admission plan
Northwestern University Scholarship Details
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston, Illinois, near Chicago. The university provides financial support through several channels rather than through one universal scholarship.
Undergraduate Financial Aid
International first-year undergraduate applicants may apply for need-based financial aid. Northwestern states that only a small group of international first-year students receive this assistance, and applicants must request financial aid when applying for admission.
For eligible international students, financial aid packages can include scholarships and grants covering tuition, housing, food, fees, health insurance, books, personal expenses, and other approved educational costs.
International undergraduate admission is need-aware, meaning demonstrated financial need may be considered during the admission process.
PhD Funding
Northwestern’s Graduate School provides substantial financial support for doctoral students.
PhD students are typically fully funded through a combination of fellowships, assistantships, and tuition scholarships. The university lists a minimum annual stipend of $47,748 for the 2026–27 academic year, and doctoral students are typically funded for at least five years.
The exact funding package depends on the graduate program.
MBA Scholarships
Students admitted to the Kellogg Full-Time MBA program are automatically considered for most Kellogg scholarships. These include merit- and need-based awards.
The Finance Fellows scholarship is an exception: applicants must complete an additional essay as part of the Kellogg application.
Benefits of Northwestern University Scholarships
Undergraduate Financial Aid
Eligible international undergraduate students may receive financial aid covering:
- Tuition
- Housing and food
- University fees
- Health insurance
- Books
- Personal expenses
- Other approved educational expenses
- Travel-related expenses in applicable aid packages
Northwestern states that undergraduate grants and scholarships are loan-free and work-free.
PhD Funding
PhD students may receive:
- Full tuition coverage through a tuition scholarship
- Minimum annual stipend of $47,748 for 2026–27
- Health insurance and health-related fees
- Funding for at least five years in typical funding packages
- Fellowship and assistantship opportunities
- Support for research and academic activities
Northwestern describes doctoral funding as typically consisting of a stipend plus a tuition scholarship during the guaranteed funding period.
MBA Scholarships
Kellogg offers various scholarships based on merit or financial need. Newly admitted students are automatically considered for most scholarships, while Finance Fellows requires an additional essay.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility depends on the specific program and funding opportunity.
International Undergraduate Applicants
To be considered for Northwestern need-based financial aid, international undergraduate applicants must:
- Be applying as a first-year undergraduate student.
- Request financial aid as part of the admission application.
- Demonstrate financial need.
- Submit the required financial aid documents.
- Meet Northwestern’s admission requirements.
International transfer applicants are not eligible for Northwestern undergraduate financial aid.
PhD Applicants
PhD applicants must:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification.
- Meet the academic requirements of their chosen PhD program.
- Submit the required application materials.
- Meet the program’s specific requirements.
- Demonstrate the academic and research preparation expected by the department.
PhD funding is generally tied to admission to an eligible doctoral program rather than a separate university-wide scholarship application.
MBA Applicants
Applicants must:
- Apply to the Kellogg Full-Time MBA program.
- Meet Kellogg’s admission requirements.
- Be admitted to the program to be considered for most Kellogg scholarships.
Most Kellogg scholarships are awarded automatically based on the admission application, while Finance Fellows requires an additional essay.
Required Documents
The required documents vary according to the program.
Undergraduate Applicants
International undergraduate applicants seeking financial aid should be prepared to submit:
- Completed undergraduate admission application
- CSS Profile
- International Student Application for Financial Assistance (ISAFA), where applicable
- Parents’ national tax documents or official income statements
- Required financial documentation
- Additional financial documents requested by Northwestern
- Academic records and transcripts
- Other admission documents required for the selected admission plan
Northwestern states that international applicants who cannot submit the CSS Profile or would face significant financial hardship in doing so may use the ISAFA instead. Parents’ tax or income documents may also be required.
PhD Applicants
Applicants should generally prepare:
- Academic transcripts
- Curriculum vitae or résumé, where required
- Statement of purpose or academic statement
- Research statement or proposal, where required by the program
- Letters of recommendation
- English-language proficiency evidence, where required
- Any additional documents specified by the chosen PhD program
Because Northwestern PhD admissions are handled by individual programs, applicants should check the requirements of their specific department.
MBA Applicants
Kellogg MBA applicants should prepare:
- Academic transcripts
- Résumé
- Essays
- Letters of recommendation, where required
- Test scores, where applicable
- English-language proficiency evidence, where applicable
- Additional scholarship materials where required
Finance Fellows applicants must also complete the required supplemental essay.
Application Deadlines
There is no single deadline for the Northwestern University scholarships because the funding opportunities are tied to different programs.
For international undergraduate applicants, Northwestern currently lists:
- Early Decision CSS Profile: December 1
- Regular Decision CSS Profile: February 1
- International tax materials: February 1 for Regular Decision
- Additional requested forms: February 5 for Regular Decision
Applicants should follow the deadline corresponding to their admission plan.
PhD and MBA deadlines vary by academic program and admission round.
How to Apply for Northwestern University Scholarships
For Undergraduate Applicants
- Select an undergraduate program at Northwestern University.
- Submit your admission application through the appropriate application platform.
- Indicate that you are applying for financial aid.
- Complete the CSS Profile.
- If you cannot submit the CSS Profile or doing so would create significant financial hardship, complete the ISAFA.
- Submit the required parents’ tax or income documents.
- Submit any additional documents requested by Northwestern.
- Complete the admission process and wait for your admission and financial aid decision.
Northwestern’s CSS Profile code is 1565.
For PhD Applicants
- Identify a suitable PhD program at Northwestern University.
- Review the department’s admission and funding requirements.
- Prepare your academic and research documents.
- Submit your application through The Graduate School or the relevant program.
- Apply by the department’s stated deadline.
- If admitted, review the funding package offered by the program.
PhD applicants should not assume that a separate application for a general “Northwestern University Scholarship” is required; funding is normally integrated into the doctoral admission and funding process.
For MBA Applicants
- Select the Kellogg Full-Time MBA program.
- Submit your MBA application during an applicable admission round.
- You will generally be automatically considered for Kellogg scholarships.
- Complete the additional Finance Fellows essay if you wish to be considered for that award.