Northwestern University application deadlines for Fall 2027

1. Early DecisionNovember 1, 2026in about a month

   Northwestern Early Decision application deadline

   This is Northwestern's binding Early Decision deadline, and it's the only early round they offer. If you apply ED and get in, you're committing to enroll and withdraw your other applications, so only choose this if Northwestern is clearly your first choice. You'll need the Common Application or Apply Coalition with Scoir, the Northwestern supplement, a counselor recommendation, at least one teacher recommendation, your transcript, the signed Early Decision Agreement, and a $75 fee or fee waiver. Decisions come out in December 2026.

   If you miss it: Miss this and you lose the Early Decision round entirely for this cycle. Northwestern has no ED II and no Early Action, so your only remaining option is Regular Decision on January 4, 2027, which is a substantially more competitive pool.

   Open the pageSource: Northwestern Office of Undergraduate Admission, Application Deadlines
2. CSS ProfileDecember 1, 2026in about 2 months

   Northwestern CSS Profile deadline for Early Decision applicants

   Northwestern requires the CSS Profile in addition to the FAFSA, and for Early Decision it's due December 1, 2026. This is a separate College Board form from the FAFSA, it asks for much more detail about your family's finances, and it usually carries a fee unless you qualify for a waiver. If your biological or adoptive parents are divorced or separated, both your custodial and your noncustodial parent each have to file their own separate Profile.

   If you miss it: No CSS Profile means Northwestern cannot assess you for its own need-based scholarship money, which is the largest component of most aid packages here. The FAFSA alone only gets you federal aid.

   Open the pageSource: Northwestern Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid, Application Deadlines
3. Financial aidDecember 1, 2026in about 2 months

   Northwestern financial aid deadline for Early Decision applicants

   If you're applying Early Decision and want need-based aid, your FAFSA and CSS Profile are both due by December 1, 2026, a full month after your application itself. This one catches people out because it lands after you've already submitted and stopped thinking about deadlines. Northwestern meets full demonstrated need, so this is the paperwork that determines your actual price. Your tax materials then go through IDOC by December 5.

   If you miss it: Because ED is binding, submitting aid materials late is especially risky: you could be committed to enrolling before you have a complete aid package, or lose need-based Northwestern Scholarship money you were otherwise eligible for.

   Open the pageSource: Northwestern Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid, Application Deadlines, cross-confirmed against Undergraduate Admission Application Deadlines
4. Regular DecisionJanuary 4, 2027in about 3 months

   Northwestern Regular Decision application deadline

   This is the standard, non-binding deadline for first-year applicants. You'll submit through the Common Application or Apply Coalition with Scoir along with Northwestern's own supplement and its additional writing supplements, plus your transcript, a counselor recommendation, at least one teacher recommendation, and a $75 fee or fee waiver. Northwestern is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are listed as optional. Decisions are released in March 2027.

   If you miss it: Northwestern does not accept late first-year applications, and there's no spring entry for first-year students. Missing January 4 means you're out of the fall 2027 first-year class and would have to wait a full year or pursue transfer admission later.

   Open the pageSource: Northwestern Office of Undergraduate Admission, Application Deadlines
5. Financial aidFebruary 1, 2027in about 4 months

   Northwestern financial aid deadline for Regular Decision applicants

   If you apply Regular Decision, your FAFSA and CSS Profile are due February 1, 2027, which is about four weeks after your application. Don't let it slide just because your application is already in. Northwestern awards need-based aid only and commits to meeting demonstrated need, so this filing is what sets your family contribution. Tax materials follow through IDOC by February 5.

   If you miss it: Filing late can delay or reduce your need-based Northwestern Scholarship, and you may not have a complete aid offer in hand when you're deciding among schools in April.

   Open the pageSource: Northwestern Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid, Application Deadlines, cross-confirmed against Undergraduate Admission Application Deadlines
6. CSS ProfileFebruary 1, 2027in about 4 months

   Northwestern CSS Profile deadline for Regular Decision applicants

   Northwestern requires the CSS Profile on top of the FAFSA, and for Regular Decision it's due February 1, 2027. It's a College Board form, separate from the FAFSA, and it goes deeper into your family's assets and circumstances. If your biological or adoptive parents are divorced or separated, your custodial and noncustodial parent each need to submit their own Profile, so give the noncustodial parent plenty of warning.

   If you miss it: Skipping or missing the Profile cuts you off from Northwestern's own need-based scholarship, which is where the bulk of the money is. You'd be left with federal aid and loans only.

   Open the pageSource: Northwestern Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid, Application Deadlines

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