Frequently Asked Questions

What are the dates?
June 18 – August 10, 2012 (*9 week intensive sequences in all science and language courses end August 17. Some courses may meet outside of these dates. Please see individual course listings for specific dates.)

How many sessions are offered at Northwestern during the summer?
There is only one Summer Session and includes courses that range from one to nine weeks in length.

When can I register?
Registrations will be accepted by mail, in person, or by fax from April 2 through June 17, 2012. Late registrations will be accepted, with a $75 late registration fee (for SCS and visiting students) from June 18-22.

Can I pay with a credit card?
Yes. Please note that Northwestern University does not accept VISA as a form of payment.

Visiting students: You can pay with a credit card (MasterCard or Discover) using the visiting student registration form at the time of registration, or online via CAESAR once you activate your NetID.

Current Northwestern students: You can pay your tuition using a credit card through CAESAR.

I'm a visiting student. How much tuition do I pay at the time of registration?

From April 2-June 15, you can pay a non-refundable tuition deposit of $250 per course (plus the $50 non-refundable registration fee) at the time of registration. Then, you’ll be billed within 30 days for the tuition balance.

If you register during late registration (June 18 -22), you must pay tuition in full at the time of registration.

If you do not pay your tuition in full when you register, the Office of Student Accounts will bill you for the balance within 30 days. If you pay this remaining balance due with a credit card, you will be charged a 2.75% processing fee. You will not be charged this fee if you pay your tuition balance with an electronic check, check, or money order. If you have questions regarding billing and payments on your balance due, please contact the Office of Students at 847-491-5224 or visit www.northwestern.edu/sfs.

How much is tuition?
Tuition for visiting students will be $3,466 per course. Please see individual course listings or tuition & fees for additional fees.

How do I change my schedule by adding or dropping a course?
Detailed instructions, including the tuition refund schedule, are available here. You cannot change your registration over the phone or through email.

Where are classes held?
Almost all Summer Session classes are held on either the Evanston or Chicago campuses, with a few meeting at our Loop and Schaumburg locations. Please see individual course listings for locations. Building and classroom assignments for individual courses will be posted 1-2 weeks before courses begin.

How do I know which courses I may take?
Summer Session is open enrollment. This means that you may register for any courses you like, but prerequisites may apply. Registration instructions are available here.

What are intensive course sequences?
Intensive course sequences are a great way to complete a year's worth of Arabic, Biology, Chemistry, Chinese, French, German, Physics, Portuguese or Spanish in just nine weeks. Please see individual course listings for more information about dates and times for each sequence.

If I need a syllabus for the class I'd like to take, how can I get one?
Syllabi are not kept on file in the Summer Session office. Instructor contact information is available at the Northwestern University Directory: http://directory.northwestern.edu. If the instructor does not appear in the directory, please e-mail the Summer Session office at summernu@northwestern.edu, using the subject line "Instructor Contact Information Request."

Do I have to supply college transcripts?
Generally, no, except for Special Programs where indicated. Please read the admission and registration requirements of those programs carefully.

Will my credits transfer?
If you intend to transfer Summer Session credit to another college or university, be sure to check with the registrar or dean of that school to determine the amount of credit it will grant for courses taken at Northwestern. More information is available here.

Is financial aid available to visiting students?
While financial aid is not available from Northwestern University to visiting students, you should contact the financial aid office at your home institution for information about available aid. NU students should talk with their financial aid officer at Northwestern.

Are room and board available?
On-Campus housing is very limited during the 2012 Summer Session. For this reason, assignment priority will be given only to those students registered in a Summer Session program sponsored by Northwestern University, including Dance and Music Master Classes as well as Music Masters Students. Should additional rooms be available, they will be offered to students completing research projects with professors at Northwestern University. Unfortunately, housing accommodations cannot be made for individuals who will not be affiliated with Northwestern University during the summer of 2012.

Students who will be enrolled in summer courses should contact the Undergraduate Housing Office after April 20 for information about summer on-campus housing and to submit an online housing application.

Students may also contact the Off-campus Housing Office, which maintains a listing of web links that advertise off-campus apartments to rent or sub-lease.

Meal plan options are available to both Northwestern and Summer Visiting students through Nu Cuisine. Summer rates for meal plans will be posted online after April 16 at www.northwestern.edu/nucuisine.