Northwestern University provides scholarships based on academic achievement and financial need to both international and domestic students. In the past few years, the university has awarded more than $200 million to undergraduate students. To apply for these scholarships, students must first be admitted to the university. Scholarships start at $1,000 and help reduce the overall cost of education. The main scholarships offered by Northwestern University include the following:
- Northwestern Endowed Scholarships
- Northwestern University Scholarship
- Quest Bridge National College Match Scholarship
- Native American and Indigenous Studies Scholarship
- Canning Scholarship
Also Check: Popular Scholarships to Study in USA
Northwestern University Scholarships for UG Courses
Northwestern University Scholarship for international students helps them afford to study in the US. Being an international student, you will be able to get different types of scholarships based on their eligibility criteria. Even though, you can consider the following scholarships that are provided to both international and domestic students.
| Scholarship / Aid Program | Eligibility | Coverage | Application Process | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Need-Based Financial Aid | First-year international applicants demonstrating financial need | Up to 100% of demonstrated need (tuition, room & board, fees, insurance, books, personal expenses, travel) | Indicate on admission application; submit CSS Profile or ISAFAprovide translated financial documents | Only available to first-year applicants at time of admission; loan-free and work-free packages |
| Northwestern University Scholarship | All undergraduates with institutional financial need | Varies based on demonstrated need | Automatically considered upon applying for aid; no separate application | Funded by the university; over 50% of students receive this |
| Northwestern Endowed Scholarships | Students eligible for need-based aid and meeting specific donor criteria | Varies; replaces equivalent amount of Northwestern Scholarship | No separate application; automatic consideration with aid application | Does not increase aid amount; matches donor-funded criteria |
| QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship | High-achieving, low-income students applying through QuestBridge | Full tuition and fees | Apply via QuestBridge National Match process | Northwestern is a QuestBridge partner institution |
| GLO Scholarships (for Study Abroad) | Undergraduates participating in approved study abroad; priority to financial aid recipients | Varies by program; may include tuition, room, board, and airfare | Automatically considered after completing GLO study abroad application | Includes several funds (e.g., Daniels GESI Scholars Fund, Buffett Scholarship); amounts vary |
Northwestern University Scholarships graduate are also provided in the form of funding. You can refer to the financial support provided by the university to enable your graduate journey. The minimum annual stipend rate for PhD students in 2025–26 is $45,000.
Northwestern University Scholarships for Graduate Courses
Tabulated below is a summary of the key scholarships, fellowships, and financial aid opportunities available to international graduate students at Northwestern University.
| Program / Scholarship | Eligibility | Coverage | Application Process | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Assistantships (Teaching & Research) | Master's and Ph.D. students across various departments | Tuition waiver, monthly stipend, and health insurance | Automatically considered during program application; assignments depend on departmental needs | Common in Ph.D. programs; availability varies for Master's programs; contact specific departments for details |
| Graduate Fellowships | Master's and Ph.D. students demonstrating exceptional academic performance | Tuition coverage and monthly stipend | Application through The Graduate School or specific departments | Includes internal and external fellowships; competitive selection process |
| Global Impacts Graduate Fellowship | Ph.D. students in their 3rd–7th years engaged in global studies research | Enhanced stipend and tuition coverage for one academic year | Online application with statement of interest, CV, and research abstract; departmental approval required | Focus on dissertation support and professional development in global studies fields |
| MSES Scholars Fund | International students enrolled in the Master of Science in Energy and Sustainability (MSES) program | Merit- and need-based scholarships; amounts vary | Application through the MSES program's financial aid page | Encouraged to consult the Office of Fellowships for additional funding opportunities |
| Medill Scholarships | International students admitted to Medill's graduate programs in journalism and integrated marketing communications | Merit-based scholarships; amounts vary | Automatically considered during admission process | International students are not eligible for U.S. federal financial aid; scholarships awarded based on application content |
| Comer Scholarship | Master's students in Medill's journalism program | Partial tuition coverage (approximately 50%) | Automatically considered during admission process | Includes opportunities for international study and participation in the Comer Climate Change Conference |
| Graduate Global Health Fieldwork Scholarship | Students in the Master of Science in Global Health (MSGH) program undertaking approved international fieldwork | Tuition reduction to support fieldwork expenses | Application with fieldwork proposal, GPA requirement, and financial need documentation | Requires approved practicum project involving travel; awarded once during graduate career |
| Siebel Scholars Program | Outstanding graduate students in business and computer science programs | $35,000 award for final year of graduate studies | Nomination by participating departments; no direct application | Recognizes top students at select institutions, including Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management |
| Doctoral Funding | Ph.D. students across various disciplines | Full tuition waiver, annual stipend, and health insurance | Automatically considered during program application | Funding typically guaranteed for the duration of the program; specifics vary by department |
| External Scholarships (AAUW International Fellowships) | International women pursuing graduate studies in the U.S. | $20,000–$50,000 depending on degree level | Application through sponsoring organizations | Competitive external funding opportunities; deadlines and requirements vary |
Other Scholarship options for Indian Students
For Indian students, getting Northwestern University grants and scholarships can be challenging. However, many other scholarships can help you to move to the USA and pursue your aspired course. You can refer to the following scholarships for Indian students based on subjects to move to the USA:
| Scholarship | Amount |
|---|---|
| Study a Bachelor’s in the USA Scholarship | $5,000 |
| Catholic High School Award | $2,000 |
| Knowmad Digital Marketing Scholarship | $500 |
| New International Student Academic Achievement/President’s Merit Award | $5,500 |
| RealtyHop Scholarship | $2,000 |
You can refer to Northwestern University scholarships for freshmen and graduates. Along with this, the university already has 757 students and scholars from India. Among them, 67 are undergraduates, 382 are masters, 116 are doctoral and 192 are scholar students. You will have to refer to the Northwestern University Scholarship deadline before applying.
FAQs
Ques: Does Northwestern University give scholarships?
Ans: 51% of the undergraduate students of Northwestern University receive Scholarships. This includes undergraduate, graduate, and PG students. The university mostly focuses on merit-based and need-based scholarships.
Ques: Is Northwestern free to apply?
Ans: For applying to Northwestern University, you will need to pay a $75 application fee, which is 6,271.42 INR. The university already has 757 students and scholars from India pursuing UG, PG, and Graduate degrees.
Ques: Does Northwestern cover 100% of financial needs?
Ans: The university meets 100% of demonstrated financial needs. Along with this, they provided financial aid to international as well as domestic students. All the need-based aid packages of the university are loan-free.
Ques: Is a 3.7 GPA good for Northwestern?
Ans: The UG students applying to Northwestern University require a GPA of 2.0 on a scale of 4.0. However, Indian students will also be required to submit English proficiency test scores such as IELTS, TOEFL, and many others. Thus, a GPA of 3.7 can be considered to be good to get into Northwestern University.
Ques: Does Northwestern University meet 100% demonstrated need for international students?
Ans: The university provides world-class faculty and research, along with different student support and instruction. Northwestern University accommodations are also effective where they support residential and dining services and staff. For affordable study, any international students with financial needs can apply for various scholarship programs provided by the university.
Northwestern University Scholarships: Students' Opinion
AI-Generated Summary based on 5 Reviews
Scholarships offered
Jagdish Bhagwati Fellowship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: Variable Amount
- Type: College-Specific
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: N/A
Bharat Petroleum Scholarship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: Variable Amount
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Master
- Number of Scholarships: N/A
Comindware Scholarship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $4,000
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Apprenticeship
- Number of Scholarships: N/A
Forktip Women’s- Innovation Scholarship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: Variable Amount
- Type: College-Specific
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: 10
FINCAD Women in Finance Scholarship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $20,000
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Master
- Number of Scholarships: N/A
Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $5,000
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: 37
Reviews
Most Popular Tags
5 Reviews Found
Likes
- Northwestern university is one of the prestigious universities in Mid West. People recognise the name the moment you mention it.
- The flexibility to take elective courses across schools makes it a great place for people with broad interests.
- Northwestern’s lakefront location provides stunning views and there are plenty of spots for both study and chilling.
Dislikes
- Northwestern’s academic rigour is very high, and the workload can be intense. The quarter system, which divides the academic year into four ten-week terms, can feel fast-paced, with constant exams and assignments.
- Since it’s a private university so the tuition is high.
- The winters are harsh in Evanston making the cold very difficult to bear.
Scholarship
- There’s a $10,000 scholarship available at the university, awarded based on the strength of a student's profile and SOPs. Many of my friends in the cohort have successfully received it, which makes me hopeful about my chances.
- It seems to be a competitive but achievable opportunity for funding. As per my knowledge 4-5 students in my cohort have received the scholarship.
- There is a local property dealer called Peak Properties. I got to know about them from my seniors and they explained the entire process.
- There are other apps, such as Zillow, which is used by many people. My accommodation is 1.2 miles away from the university. My monthly rent with utilities is around $650.
- The only suggestion would be to start early to find the cheaper apartments or else you’ll end up getting the costly ones.












Scholarship
N/A
Got into an honors program called MMSS, which has a campus but still within the city parameters of Chicago, great academics, top 10 ranked school, good student life including athletics, clubs.
Scholarship
Through Questbridge, I filled out an initial application, was declared a finalist, then I ranked the Questbridge schools I'd be okay with attending if I matched, then my application was sent to the schools I ranked, Northwestern was my 4th choice and I matched. Thus, I pay about $400 per quarter to attend Northwestern.
First, I'm a Questbridge Scholar who matched with Northwestern, so I was required to go here by contract. I ranked it because I thought it offered so many different opportunities, because of its location, emphasis on not limiting yourself to one area of study, etc. People at Northwestern were kinder and so willing to help me out/answer any questions during my tour, which made me feel right at home.
Scholarship
No
Great Brand, low student faculty ratio. Direct connect with Kellogg school of business and this is one of the best MEM program in USA. It also has one of the lowest acceptance ratio
















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