U.S. Non-degree Students

Applications will be reviewed only after the Office of Special Students (OSS) has received a completed application, all transcripts, and the application fee. All materials must be received by the respective deadline in order to be considered. Applications received after the deadline will be considered for the following term, if the applicant so requests. A formal letter of acceptance or rejection and registration materials (if applicable) are usually sent one week after the application deadline. Application materials and transcripts should be sent to:

Office of Special Students
Summer Session and Special Programs
Northwestern University
405 Church Street
Evanston, IL 60208
Phone: (847) 491-3443
Fax: (847) 491-3660
Email: ndss@northwestern.edu

U.S. Non-degree Student application requirements:

1. a completed Non-degree Special Student Application (PDF Format)
2. a statement of purpose stating clearly why you wish to attend Northwestern as a NDSS (maximum one page typed, double-spaced, please include your name on all attached sheets)
3. official transcripts of all work completed at institutions of higher learning
4. a $30 non-refundable application fee (check or money order only, payable to Northwestern University)

Application Deadlines for the 2009-2010 Academic Year:

Tuition and Fees:

2009-2010 tuition for Non-Degree Special Students is $4,518 per course (1 credit unit). Certain courses that are worth more than one credit unit are indicated as such in the quarterly class schedule. Students may also be responsible for applicable student fees. Rates are subject to change without notice, and increases should be expected in subsequent years. Please visit the Student Financial Services website for updated tuition and fee rates.

Registration Procedures:

1. Approved NDSS applications are forwarded to the Office of the Registrar for activation.
2. NDSS registration takes place during the Change of Registration period only. Students register using a Registration Exception form, which will be included with their formal acceptance letter. A department permission number must be obtained for each class for which the NDSS intends to register. Students are responsible for contacting the department offering the course(s) to obtain this permission number.
3. The quarterly class schedule and course descriptions and are available on the Office of the Registrar's website.

PLEASE NOTE: Approved high school students (ETHS and Roycemore) must also obtain the OSS director's signature on the Add/Drop form to ensure that any approved financial aid is credited to their accounts. The Office of Student Accounts will generate and mail a tuition bill if this form is not signed.

Adds, Drops, and Withdrawals:

Students who have registered for a course are considered enrolled for the duration, and are expected to attend all sessions of the courses for which they are registered. Excessive absences do not signal a student's intent to drop or withdraw, and is cause for failure in the course. The student is also responsible to pay any tuition balance remaining on their account. Therefore, students wishing to change their registration in any way - by adding or dropping a course - must do so through the Office of the Registrar. Only the Registrar may process registration changes. Do not send correspondence regarding adds, drops, and withdrawals to the course instructor or to the Office of Student Accounts.

Entrance Health Requirements:

Full-time (3 or more classes) and half-time (2 classes) students at Northwestern are required to meet entrance health requirements. Part-time (1 class) students are not required to fulfill these requirements. This includes submitting the Admission Health Record and proof of immunizations as required by the State of Illinois. Non-degree Special Students are responsible for complying with these requirements. Please visit the Northwestern University Health Services website for links to frequently asked questions concerning the entrance health requirements and to access necessary forms.

Student Health Insurance:

New entering and returning full time students must have health insurance throughout their academic studies when registered full-time. Full time students are required to complete the Web-based Coverage Selection Form to either elect or decline the insurance that Northwestern University offers through the Aetna Student Health Benefit Planning Insurance Agency. Please visit the Northwestern University Health Services website for links to information concerning the student health insurance requirement and to access necessary forms.

For more information on what Northwestern has to offer, please see http://www.northwestern.edu/student/index.html