Who is a first-year student?

You are a first-year student if you are either:

• Currently completing your final year of high school, even if you have taken college credits
• Graduated from high school (or earned an equivalent diploma) and have not taken any college credits after graduating from high school

Deadline

We are currently accepting applications for fall 2025 and the 2025 Winter Term. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis starting in September, and we typically provide an admissions decision within two weeks.

What to Submit

1. Our free application form or the Common Application
2. High school transcript. This can be emailed to admit@northland.edu, mailed directly from your school, or uploaded right to your online application.
3. ACT or SAT test scores. You do not have to submit test scores if you were prevented from taking the ACT or SAT due to COVID-19 or you have a score you feel does not accurately reflect your academic ability. However, we reserve the right to request any additional academic information deemed necessary during the application review process.

What We Evaluate

We evaluate your academic performance and achievement—specifically your cumulative, unweighted GPA and test scores (if available)—to determine your eligibility for admission and the amount of your merit-based aid toward tuition.

Apply Now

Questions?

Reach out to your admissions counselor or call our main office at 715-682-1224 or 800-753-1840.

If you will graduate from a homeschool program and have earned fewer than 17 attempted credits at a college or university following high school graduation, please follow the admission requirements below:

1. Complete the online application or the Common Application.
2. Submit your secondary school transcript. This can be emailed to admit@northland.edu, uploaded directly with your online application, or mailed to the Office of Admissions, 1411 Ellis Avenue, Ashland, WI 54806.
3. Submit your curriculum guide (listing course content sources and utilized textbooks). This can be emailed to admit@northland.edu, uploaded directly with your online application, or mailed directly to the Office of Admissions (address above).
4. Submitting your ACT or SAT test scores is optional. However, we reserve the right to request any additional academic information deemed necessary during the application review process.

Apply Now

Questions?

Reach out to your admissions counselor or call our main office at 715-682-1224 or 800-753-1840.

Transferring to Northland College can be quick and easy. Northland has a dedicated transfer coordinator to help with your transition. They are your one-stop-shop to get all of your questions answered about the classes that you are currently taking, how credits will transfer, what types of scholarship opportunities await, and more. Northland is also a recognized member of the Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Honor Roll.

Deadlines

Transfer applications are accepted during both fall and winter terms on a rolling basis. To ensure space and scholarship availability, please submit your application and supporting materials as far in advance of your desired term start date as possible.

Transfer Requirements

If you have 17 or more attempted college credit hours following high school graduation, please follow the admission requirements below:

1. Complete the online application or the Common Application.
2. Submit your unofficial or official college transcripts from all institutions attended.

If you were enrolled in college following high school graduation but attempted fewer than 17 college credit hours, please follow the admission requirements below:

1. Complete the online application or the Common Application.
2. Submit your unofficial or official college transcripts from all institutions attended.
3. Submit your unofficial or official high school transcripts or official GED report.

Transfer Guides and Articulation Agreements

We work with colleges and organizations to make it easy for you to transfer course credits to Northland. Whether we have an agreement with your college or not, don’t worry—we will help guide you through the process. Learn More»

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Questions?

Feel free to call the Office of Admissions at 715-682-1224 or email us. We’re always happy to provide more information.

Northland has been recognized as a military-friendly school for many consecutive years. We are committed to providing a rich educational experience for veteran students. We welcome you to apply and join our campus community.

Admissions Requirements

To be considered for admission, you must:

1. Complete the online application or the Common Application.
2. Submit your official high school transcripts or official GED report (not needed for applicants who have attempted more than 17 college credits)
3. Optional: Submit your ACT or SAT score (not needed for applicants who have been out of high school more than one year or who transfer in a significant amount of credits)
4. Submit all official college transcripts, if you have any

Once you have completed the admission process and registered for courses, Northland College’s Certifying Official is responsible for certifying your enrollment and reporting any subsequent changes in enrollment to the VA. Learn More about Eligibility»

Apply Now

Questions?

Our VA School Certifying Official, Kevin Haas, is happy to answer your questions or provide additional information. You can reach out to him at khaas@northland.edu or call 715-682-1255.

Northland warmly welcomes applications from international students. We know studying abroad can come with many changes, so Northland has a dedicated international admissions counselor to help with your transition.

Deadline

We accept applications on a rolling basis, though students should be mindful of the time required to complete the admissions, enrollment, and visa process.

What to Submit

1. Our free application form or the Common Application
2. Required application materials–Tap to see what materials are required to complete your application!
3. Proof of English proficiency—Tap to see the accepted forms of proof and exemptions.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

All admitted students receive an academic merit scholarship. This is an annually-renewing scholarship that students will receive for up to four years, provided they stay enrolled full time and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA.

Northland also guarantees a campus employment opportunity (work study) of $2,000 annually to all eligible students. As an international student, work study is your only opportunity to have a job while studying in the US. For more information on eligibility, visit the Students and Employment page of the US Citizenship and Immigration Service website.

International applicants are also welcome to apply and be considered for need-based aid. This is accomplished by completing the CSS Profile. Please note that the CSS profile is hosted by the College Board and costs US$25 to file.

Questions?

Unsure about materials? Curious about this year’s merit scholarship range? Uncertain if you count as an international student? Our counselors work closely with international students throughout the admissions and enrollment process. Reach out to your admissions counselor or call our main office at 715-682-1224 or 800-753-1840.

A student who wishes to return to Northland can initiate the re-enrollment process by completing a re-enrollment form. Once submitted, your request will be forwarded to the Offices of Student Affairs, Student Financial Services (Student Accounts), Financial Aid, and the Registrar for approval. Once approvals have been received, the Office of the Registrar will contact you with your next steps.

Early College Credit (ECCP) at Northland offers the opportunity for high school students to earn college credit while experiencing the same in-person learning as a full-time college student. Northland only offers in-person courses, so participating students must be able to physically come to campus.

Application Process

1. To apply, fill out an application and give it to your high school counselor. They will send it to your school district for approval. Your application must be sent to the school district before the following deadlines:
   • March 1 for fall courses
   • October 1 for spring/winter courses

   If you are unsure how to fill out your application, reach out to Northland’s ECCP program manager, Savanna Richter Romero.

2. Once your completed application has been approved by the school district, your high school counselor must send a copy of your application and your transcript to admit@northland.edu for review.
3. If you are accepted into the ECCP program at Northland, we will reach out to you to begin the registration process.

Tips for Filling Out Your Application

• Consider your goals. Are you trying to get a head start on your general education requirements, or are you looking to explore fun and interesting topics?
• Request only 100 or 200 level courses unless you are a returning student to the program.
• There are a few types of classes not offered to ECCP students at Northland:
  • Interdisciplinary studies (IDS)
  • Travel courses
  • Skills-based courses
• The more general the course, the more likely it is to transfer to another college or university. Ask if you aren’t sure!
• Give yourself the greatest chance of approval and flexibility for substitution:
  • Request four courses even though you will only take one or two courses your first time.
  • Make sure you’ve taken the comparable class at your high school. (For example, if your school offers sociology, you will have to take that before being approved to take college-level sociology.)
  • Cover your bases with credit amounts and subject matter. Some school districts are very particular about requesting alternative courses.

Questions?

For more information on the Early College Program at Northland College, please contact Savanna Richter Romero or call our main office at 715-682-1224 or 800-753-1840.