Northeastern University is committed to helping students make their higher education goals a reality. Student Financial Services provides the resources, support, and expert guidance needed to navigate the financial aid application process, stay on top of key dates and deadlines, and understand the factors that impact aid eligibility.
Financial Aid Eligibility
Northeastern awards need-based federal financial aid for eligible students. In order to be federally eligible, undergraduate students must meet the following criteria:
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Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
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Be matriculated in a degree-granting program
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Have received a high school diploma or state-recognized equivalent (e.g., GED)
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Not be in default on prior student loans
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Maintain satisfactory academic progress
Students must be enrolled in at least 6 credits per term to receive federal aid, unless participating in a co-op, clinical rotation, residency, or enrolled in a full-time or part-time stand-alone course. Enrollment below full time may impact eligibility for state and institutional aid.
While international students are not eligible for U.S. federal aid, other financing options are available. Visit the Student Financial Services website to learn more.
Applying for Financial Aid
First-Year and Transfer Students
To apply for financial aid, students must submit:
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The Free Application for Federal Student Aid
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The CSS Profile (for institutional aid consideration)
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Any additional documentation as requested
Submit materials by the priority filing deadline to ensure consideration for all available programs. Visit the Student Financial Services website for deadlines and process details.
Award timelines may vary. Additional documents may be requested before aid is finalized.
Returning Students
Returning students must submit the FAFSA each academic year. Visit the Student Financial Services website for priority filing deadlines. Students who received a Northeastern grant in their first year but do not wish to apply for federal aid must complete the Institutional Aid Only Packaging Request via the Student Financial Services Service Portal.
Please note: FAFSA data is based on prior-prior year tax information. Changes in tax data or funding availability may affect federal and state aid.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
To remain eligible for federal and institutional financial aid, students must maintain satisfactory academic progress, which includes meeting a minimum grade-point average and successfully completing attempted credits toward their degree requirements.
Qualitative
Student GPAs are reviewed annually. To meet the qualitative standard, SAP requires a cumulative GPA of 1.800 or better for students completing their freshman year at Northeastern and a 2.000 or better each year thereafter. GPA is rounded to the nearest one-hundredth of a decimal point (for example, 1.995 is rounded to 2.000).
Quantitative
Students must also meet certain quantitative standards. Completed credits are reviewed as a percentage of attempted credits after each academic year. Students must earn at least 67% of their cumulative attempted credits to maintain SAP.
Additionally, undergraduate students must complete their programs within a maximum timeframe of 150% of their published program length. For example, students enrolled in a 128-credit program may not attempt more than 192 credits (128 credits times 150% equals 192 credits). At the point by which it becomes mathematically impossible for a student to complete the program within 150% of the published program length, the student will become immediately ineligible for financial aid.
Appeals
Students who have lost their eligibility for financial aid due to failure to meet either or both the qualitative and quantitative SAP standards have the right to appeal for an additional probationary term of financial aid.
For additional information regarding SAP and the appeals process, visit the Student Financial Services website.
Enrollment Changes
Students must notify Student Financial Services about any changes in enrollment, including:
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Course withdrawal
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Leave of absence
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Changes to planned co-op or class enrollment
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Reduction in course load
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Withdrawal from the university
These changes may affect the type and amount of aid received. Whenever possible, consult Student Financial Services before making enrollment changes.
For billing policies related to co-op or part-time enrollment, visit Undergraduate Billing and Tuition Adjustments.
Institutional Aid and Withdrawals
Northeastern’s institutional need-based grant funds and merit scholarships will be adjusted based on actual tuition charges. For example, a student whose tuition is adjusted by 50% due to an approved petition to reduce course load will have institutional funds adjusted by 50%. As another example, a student who receives a 100% tuition adjustment for withdrawal will have 100% of institutional funds reversed. There may be some exceptions to the treatment of institutional aid proration based on specific fund requirements. Whenever possible, consult Student Financial Services before making enrollment changes.
Students may request institutional aid to be prorated based on tuition charges for overload courses, including those during co-op.
Federal Title IV funds will be returned according to the Return of Title IV Aid policy. State financial aid will be returned according to state requirements.
Return of Title IV Aid
Northeastern is required by federal statute to recalculate federal financial aid eligibility for students who withdraw, are dismissed, take a leave of absence, or drop out prior to completing 60% of a term. Aid is recalculated based on the Federal Return of Title IV funds formula. Students who receive all unsuccessful grades for a term (e.g., NE, W, I, U) will be considered unofficially withdrawn from the term, with a withdrawal date set at the midpoint of the term.
For information on tuition adjustment for withdrawal, please see Undergraduate Billing and Tuition Adjustments.
Outside Sources of Aid
Students are required to report all external aid (e.g., scholarships) to Student Financial Services. This may lead to a recalculation of aid based on federal, state, and institutional policies. Visit the Student Financial Services website to learn how to report outside aid.
Federal Verification
Northeastern is required to use a process called Federal Verification to check the accuracy of information provided on a student’s FAFSA. For students selected for verification, Student Financial Services collects documentation from the student, including tax returns and other documents, to verify the information provided on the FAFSA. Federal Verification may result in changes to financial aid.
Incoming students must complete verification before financial aid can be disbursed.
Returning students must complete verification before financial aid can be awarded or disbursed.
In addition to Federal Verification, Student Financial Services is required to resolve all instances of conflicting information and may request documentation to this end. All information must be reconciled across all sources before aid can be disbursed. For more information on this process, visit the Student Financial Services website.
Appeals for Special and Unusual Circumstances
When students or their families experience changes in their financial circumstances or face unique challenges, the information reported on the FAFSA and/or CSS Profile may not reflect their current situation. If a student believes that the aid process does not accurately reflect their financial situation, the student should notify Student Financial Services for further evaluation. All special and unique circumstances are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, require supporting documentation, and may not always result in additional financial aid. For additional information regarding changes in financial circumstances, please refer to the Student Financial Services website.
VA Education Benefits
In accordance with Title 38 USC 3679 (e), covered individuals utilizing Chapter 31 or Chapter 33 education benefits at Northeastern University will not have any penalty imposed on their account nor will they be required to take out additional funding due to pending or late payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs as long as the Dolce Center for the Advancement of Veterans and Servicemembers has a current Certificate of Eligibility or VRE Authorization on file AND a Request for VA Benefit Certification is submitted through the Student Hub portal.
COEs must be submitted before the start of the student’s first term but do not need to be resubmitted unless entitlement information changes. Students are also required to complete the Request for VA Benefit Certification form through the Student Hub portal before the start of each term they wish to use VA benefits. Students may have a hold placed on the account if there is an outstanding balance after payment from the VA is received by Northeastern.