Northwestern University: Student Move-In Essentials

when do students move in northwestern university

At Northwestern University, the official housing move-in date for new first-year and transfer students is September 9, 2025. New students can move in by appointment starting at 8:00 a.m. International students, however, move in earlier, on September 7, 2025, at no additional cost. Students arriving before this date are responsible for early arrival housing charges. Returning students can return beginning on Friday, September 12, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. without an appointment.

Characteristics Values
Move-in date for new students 8:00 a.m., September 9, 2025
Move-in date for returning students 8:00 a.m., September 12, 2025
Move-in date for new international students September 7, 2025
Early arrival move-in date 8:00 a.m., September 3, 2025
Early arrival housing charges $50 per night
Early arrival request deadline August 29, 2025
Meal plan start date for new students Lunch, September 9, 2025
Meal plan start date for returning students Lunch, September 12, 2025

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New students move in on 9 September 2025

New students at Northwestern University can move into their accommodation from 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, 9 September 2025.

Students will be sent a link in early August to sign up for a move-in appointment. They will receive this link after room assignments have been completed.

International students will move in on 7 September 2025. Students arriving before this date will be charged $50 per night for early arrival. Students wishing to arrive early must complete an early arrival request form.

Students who are part of the Early Arrival program will need to pay for food on a cash basis. Their meal plan will begin at lunchtime on 9 September.

On arrival, students should go to their building and use their Wildcard to enter. They can also go to their area desk to check in and borrow a moving cart. At their room, they should tap their Wildcard or access card on the card reader, wait 60 seconds, then tap again for entry.

Northwestern University Residential Services offers a Ship-To-Your-Room service, allowing students to have their belongings delivered to their room. They also offer mini-fridge rentals.

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Returning students move in on 12 September 2025

Returning students to Northwestern University can start moving in at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, 12 September 2025. Unlike new students, returning students do not need to sign up for move-in appointments. They also do not need unloading permits. However, returning students are asked to move their vehicles away from their building after unloading so that other students can unload.

To check in, returning students must complete an online self-check-in form. They can then head to their room and tap their card on the reader once. After waiting 60 seconds for the lock to download their check-in information, they can tap their card again to unlock the door. If there are any problems, students can visit their area desk.

Students who wish to move in before the official move-in date must apply for early arrival by completing an online form in the Housing Portal. Requests will be accepted from 11 August 2025, and the deadline to apply is 29 August 2025. Students who arrive without prior approval will be assigned to their fall room if possible, or to a temporary space if not. The cost of staying on campus without prior permission is double the published early arrival rate. For example, if the published rate for early arrival is $50 per night, the rate for a student who does not have prior permission would be $100 per night.

New students at Northwestern University can move in by appointment starting at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, 9 September 2025. Students who are approved for early arrival can move in as early as 8:00 a.m. on 3 September 2025. New international students move in on 7 September 2025.

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International students move in on 7 September 2025

International students at Northwestern University have a different move-in date to other students. International students are set to move in on 7 September 2025. This is two days before the official move-in date for new first-year and transfer students, which is 9 September 2025. Returning students can move in from 8 am on 12 September 2025.

International students who wish to arrive before 7 September 2025 must complete an early arrival request form. They will be charged $50 per night for early arrival. Students who arrive without prior approval will be charged double the published early arrival rate. Students who arrive before 3 September 2025 should email [email protected].

On the day, international students will need to check in at their Area Desks. They will then be able to go to their room and use their Wildcard to enter the building. Students can also borrow a moving cart from their area desk.

Northwestern University offers a Ship-To-Your-Room service, which allows students to have their belongings delivered to their room before they arrive. The University also offers mini-fridge rentals, as well as bedding and linens.

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Students can request early arrival from 3 September 2025

Students at Northwestern University can request early arrival from 3 September 2025. The official housing move-in date for new first-year and transfer students is 9 September 2025, and the official housing move-in date for returning students is 12 September 2025. However, students can request to arrive early, from 8:00 am on 3 September 2025. Requests for early arrival are considered based on the needs of the resident, space availability, and appropriate staffing to support students living on campus before the designated move-in dates.

Students who are part of the Pre-Fall Arrival program and live in fraternity or sorority houses or live off-campus are not eligible to stay in the residence halls, residential colleges, or special interest communities past noon on 2 September 2025. Students who arrive before their approved check-in date and time will be assigned to their fall room if possible; if not, they will be assigned to a temporary space. The cost of staying on campus without prior permission is double the published early arrival rate, which is typically $50 per night. Students who are approved for early arrival do not need an unloading permit, but they should be aware that parking policies are enforced between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday.

International students at Northwestern University move in on 7 September 2025, and students participating in the International Wildcat Welcome should notify and register with the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISS). Students who are approved for early arrival may be placed in temporary housing, and the charge for early arrival is $50 per night, applied to the student account unless sponsored by a school or department. Food options for students participating in the Early Arrival program will be listed on the Northwestern Dining website, and meals are on a cash basis in the retail outlets on campus.

New students will be sent a link in early August to sign up for move-in appointments, and returning students do not need to sign up for appointments. Students moving in prior to 12 September as early arrivals should note that their items may not be delivered until this date. On the official move-in dates, students should head to the designated unloading zones, where professional movers will unload their vehicles and bring their belongings to their rooms. Outside of the unloading time, parking will be available in four campus lots, and a continuous shuttle service will run throughout the day.

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Students must apply for early arrival by 29 August 2025

At Northwestern University, the official housing move-in date for new first-year and transfer students is Tuesday, 9 September 2025. New students can move in by appointment starting at 8:00 a.m. on this day.

International students, however, move in earlier, on 7 September 2025. Students arriving before this date are responsible for early arrival housing charges of $50 per night and must complete an early arrival request form.

Returning students can return to campus beginning on Friday, 12 September 2025, at 8:00 a.m. They do not need to sign up for move-in appointments.

If you are a student who wishes to apply for early arrival, you must complete an online form in the Housing Portal by 29 August 2025. Requests will be accepted from 11 August 2025. Students with approval may move in from 8:00 a.m. on 3 September 2025.

If you are an early arrival student, please note that your items might not be delivered to your room until 12 September. Additionally, move-in assistance is only available on 9 September due to the high volume of students moving in on that day.

Frequently asked questions

New students can move in by appointment starting at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. International students move in earlier; on September 7, 2025.

Returning students can return beginning on Friday, September 12, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. They do not need to sign up for move-in appointments.

Requests to move on campus early (as early as 8:00 a.m. on September 3, 2025) are considered based on the needs of the resident, space availability, and staffing. The charge for early arrival is $50 per night.

Check-in using the Self-Check-In link that will be sent to your Northwestern email address. Then, go to your building and use your Wildcard to enter the building and go to your room.

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