Northwestern University offers a mix of need-based UG aid, merit-based Master's awards, Kellogg MBA Merit Scholarships, and full PhD funding. Northwestern University is not need-blind for international students, but qualifying Indian UG applicants can receive substantial need-based aid (average $50,000+/year). Kellogg MBA merit awards range from $30,000 to full tuition. PhD students get full funding (tuition + ~$35,000-$42,000 stipend).
Northwestern is not need-blind for international students; Indian applicants should submit CSS Profile for need-based aid and apply for external scholarships in parallel.
Also read: Courses offered by Northwestern University
Currency Note: All INR conversions use 1 USD = ₹95.40 as of May 27, 2026.
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Northwestern UG aid for international students is largely need-based (no merit-only scholarships at UG level for international students). Submit CSS Profile alongside the Common Application for need-based aid consideration.
| Scholarship | Award Value | Eligibility | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwestern Need-Based Grant (UG) | Up to $67,158/year (₹64.47 Lakhs/year) for full-need admits | UG admits with demonstrated financial need | Submit CSS Profile + Financial Aid form with application |
| Northwestern Endowed Scholarships (UG) | $10,000 to $30,000/year (₹9.60 to ₹28.80 Lakhs/year) | UG admits matching specific donor criteria | Auto-considered with need-based aid application |
| Davee Foundation Scholarship | $10,000 to $20,000 (₹9.60 to ₹19.20 Lakhs) | UG admits with strong academic and leadership profile | Auto-considered with need-based aid |
| Henry Bienen Scholarship | Up to $5,000 (₹4.80 Lakhs) | UG admits with distinguished academic profile | Auto-considered with admission |
| Department-specific UG awards | $1,500 to $10,000 (₹1.44 to ₹9.60 Lakhs) | Department-specific (McCormick, Medill, Bienen Music) | School-specific application after admission |
Northwestern's average need-based grant for international UG students is approximately $50,000+/year for those qualifying. Combined with on-campus work-study and external scholarships, total Indian UG cost can drop to $25,000-$40,000/year (₹24 to ₹38.40 Lakhs).
Northwestern offers a range of merit scholarships, assistantships, and research funding opportunities for international master’s students. Most scholarships for programs such as McCormick Engineering, MEM, Biotechnology, and Medill Journalism are awarded automatically during the admissions review process. Research and Teaching Assistantships can further reduce tuition costs while providing valuable academic and professional experience for high-performing graduate students.
| Scholarship | Award Value | Eligibility | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| McCormick MS Merit Scholarship | $5,000 to $20,000 (₹4.80 to ₹19.20 Lakhs) | Top MS Engineering/CS admits | Auto-considered with offer |
| MEM Scholarship (Engineering Management) | $10,000 to $25,000 (₹9.60 to ₹24.00 Lakhs) | Top MEM admits with strong UG GPA and work exp | Auto-considered with offer |
| MS Biotechnology Scholarship | $5,000 to $15,000 (₹4.80 to ₹14.40 Lakhs) | Top MS Biotech admits | Auto-considered with offer |
| MSJ Medill Scholarship | $10,000 to $30,000 (₹9.60 to ₹28.80 Lakhs) | Top MSJ admits with strong journalism portfolio | Auto-considered with offer |
| Research Assistantship (RA) | Partial tuition + stipend | MS research-track admits matched with PI | Through department/research advisor |
| Teaching Assistantship (TA) | Tuition reduction + $20,000-$25,000 stipend | MS admits selected by department | Apply through department |
Reddit Insight: Indian Master's applicants on r/MSinUS report that McCormick MS programmes award merit scholarships of $10,000-$20,000 to roughly 25-40% of admits. MEM (Engineering Management) awards are typically $10,000-$25,000 for top admits. MS Biotechnology awards are smaller ($5,000-$15,000). Research-track MS in EECS or ME may receive partial RA funding from the supervising professor. Indian self-funded MS students typically combine merit scholarships with education loans.
Also read: Scholarships for MS in USA
Kellogg School of Management offers some of the most generous MBA merit scholarships in the United States, with awards ranging from partial funding to full tuition coverage. Most scholarships are automatically considered during the admissions process and are awarded based on academic excellence, leadership, professional achievements, diversity, and career impact
| Scholarship | Award Value | Eligibility | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kellogg Merit Scholarship | $30,000 to Full Tuition ($172,740 over 2 years; ₹28.80 Lakhs to ₹1.66 Crores) | Top MBA admits with strong work history and GMAT 731+ | Auto-considered with MBA offer |
| Future Leaders Scholarship (early-career) | Up to $50,000 (₹48.00 Lakhs) | MBA admits aged 25 and younger | Auto-considered with MBA offer |
| Kellogg Diversity Scholarship | $20,000 to $50,000 (₹19.20 to ₹48.00 Lakhs) | MBA admits from underrepresented backgrounds | Auto-considered with MBA offer |
| Joseph Levy Endowed MBA Scholarship | $15,000 to $35,000 (₹14.40 to ₹33.60 Lakhs) | Top MBA admits | Auto-considered with MBA offer |
| Forte Foundation MBA Fellowship | Partial to Full tuition | Female MBA admits committed to women's advancement | Apply through Forte Foundation |
| Robert Toigo Foundation Fellowship | Up to $25,000 (₹24.00 Lakhs) | Underrepresented MBA admits | Apply through Toigo Foundation |
Kellogg MBA tuition is $86,370/year ($172,740 total over 2 years; ₹1.66 Crores total). With Merit Scholarship stack ($40,000+/year), effective MBA cost can drop to $95,000-$120,000 total (₹91.20 Lakhs to ₹1.15 Crores).
Indian applicants at Northwestern rely on a combination of internal Northwestern aid and external Indian scholarships. The big four external options: Inlaks Shivdasani, JN Tata Endowment, Tata Trust, and Aga Khan Foundation. Read more about external scholarships to study in USA.
| Scholarship | Award Value | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwestern Need-Based Aid (internal, UG) | Up to $67,158/year (₹64.47 Lakhs) | UG admits with demonstrated financial need | Auto-applied with CSS Profile |
| Kellogg Merit Scholarship (internal) | $30,000 to Full Tuition | Top MBA admits | Auto-applied with MBA admission |
| Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarship | Up to USD 100,000 (₹96 Lakhs) | Indian applicants under 30; UG and Master's | Tentative April 2027 |
| JN Tata Endowment | ₹10 Lakhs loan + ₹7.5 Lakhs gift | Indian applicants for foreign study | Tentative March 2027 |
| Tata Trust Scholarship | Up to ₹10 Lakhs | Indian applicants with strong financial need | Tentative March 2027 |
| Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship | Up to USD 75,000 (₹72 Lakhs) | Master's/PhD applicants from select countries | Tentative March 2027 |
| Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowship | Full tuition + stipend | Indian Master's in select fields | Tentative June 2026 |
Indian UG applicants should submit CSS Profile for Northwestern's need-based aid alongside applications for Inlaks Shivdasani or JN Tata Endowment. Kellogg MBA applicants benefit most from auto-considered merit awards plus Forte Foundation Fellowship for female applicants.
Ques. Does Northwestern give scholarships to Indian students?
Ans. Yes, but primarily as need-based aid for UG (no merit-only scholarships at UG level) and merit scholarships at Master's, Kellogg MBA, and Pritzker Law. Northwestern is not need-blind for international students. Indian UG admits with demonstrated need can receive up to $67,158/year (₹64.47 Lakhs) need-based aid (submit CSS Profile). Kellogg MBA: $30,000 to full tuition merit awards.
Ques. What is the maximum scholarship stack at Northwestern for an Indian UG applicant?
Ans. An Indian UG applicant with demonstrated need can receive: Northwestern Need-Based Grant up to $50,000+/year + endowed scholarships $10,000-$30,000. Combined with Inlaks Shivdasani (up to USD 100,000 over 4 years) or JN Tata Endowment, total support can reach $70,000+/year (₹67.20 Lakhs+/year), dropping net cost to $20,000-$30,000/year.
Ques. When should I apply for Northwestern scholarships?
Ans. Most Northwestern scholarships are auto-considered with admission: Need-based aid (CSS Profile required), Kellogg MBA Merit, McCormick MS, MEM scholarships. Apply for admission by November 1, 2026 (ED) or January 1, 2027 (RD) for UG, or programme deadline for Master's. Submit CSS Profile by January 1, 2027 for UG need-based aid consideration.
Ques. Are Northwestern Kellogg MBA scholarships separate or auto-considered?
Ans. Kellogg MBA scholarships are auto-considered with the MBA offer. Top MBA admits receive merit awards from $30,000 to full tuition ($172,740 over 2 years). The Future Leaders Scholarship (for under-25 applicants), Diversity Scholarship, and Joseph Levy Endowed Scholarship are all auto-considered. External fellowships like Forte and Toigo require separate applications.
Ques. Are Northwestern PhD students fully funded?
Ans. Yes for most PhD programmes. PhD admits in Engineering (McCormick), Sciences, Mathematics, Computer Science, Economics, and Humanities receive full tuition waiver + ~$35,000-$42,000/year stipend (₹33.60 to ₹40.32 Lakhs) for 5-6 years, plus health insurance. PhD funding is automatic with admission. Northwestern has strong PhD programmes in CS, ME, ChemE, ECE, Materials Science, and Economics.
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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.
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.
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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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