Enrollment Timeline for First-year Students - Northwest Admissions

Northwest offers test-optional admission and scholarships, but if you plan to maximize your scholarship opportunities by taking the ACT or SAT, register soon. Learn more: www.act.org and www.collegeboard.org
Begin searching for outside scholarship opportunities.

Schedule a visit with Northwest's Campus Visit Coordinator by calling 660.562.1562 or registering online. You might be interested in attending one of our many on-campus visit days.
See a Northwest representative at your high school or a college fair in your surrounding area. Check our admissions representatives' schedules to see when someone will be in your area.

Complete the Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at studentaid.gov. Students can begin filling out the FAFSA on Oct. 1 and list the Northwest code 002496. (Be sure to file by Feb. 1 at the latest to be considered for state programs; FAFSA must be processed by Feb. 1.) Here's how to get started.
Apply for admission and scholarships if you haven't already done so.

Submit your housing application beginning Nov. 2. This housing chart provides the timeline for room selection dates in the spring.
- (Compare university housing options.)
Get to know classmates and potential roommates in ZeeMee.
Visit campus! Consider attending the Accepted Student Visit Day for Fall, Nov. 7.

Review and apply for Northwest Missouri State University's competitive scholarships.
Scholarships are automatically awarded based on your GPA and ACT/SAT scores when you apply to Northwest and are listed on our freshman scholarships page.

Get to know classmates and potential roommates in ZeeMee and lock in roommate matches beginning Jan. 15.

Students can register for Summer Orientation, Advisement and Registration (SOAR) beginning March 1 in CatPAWS.
Students who completed their housing application on Nov. 2 and signed up for SOAR on March 1 will select their room on March 1 in the housing portal.
Students who completed their housing application from Nov. 3 to Dec. 15 will select their room from March 3 in the housing portal.
Students who completed their housing application on or after Dec. 16 to Jan. 27, 2027 will select their room from March 5-8 in the housing portal.
Students completing their housing application on or after Jan. 28 will select their room on March 9.
Students who are living off campus need to fill out their commuter card.
Review the financial aid offer in CatPAWS.

For students who completed their housing application on April 8, please allow a week for your housing assignment to post, as we will be working to identify the best roommate and room assignment possible.

Submit your grade reports if you took Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) classes.
Graduate from high school.
Have your high school counselor forward your final transcript to the Office of Admissions.
If you took college or dual credit in high school, have an official transcript sent to Northwest from the college/university where the credit was taken.
Review the financial aid offer in CatPAWS.
Deadline to qualify for limited edition Bearcat Box (students must complete and select housing and sign up for SOAR to qualify).

Attend SOAR.
Submit final, official high school and dual credit transcripts to Northwest’s Office of Admissions.
Check your Northwest email frequently.
Review and accept financial aid.
Contact your roommate to discuss what items you will each bring.
Accept or decline the financial aid offer in CatPAWS.

If you took college or dual credit in high school, have an official transcript sent to Northwest from the college/university where the credit was taken.
Attend Advantage.
Move into your residence hall room.
Begin classes!