Enrollment Timeline for First-year Students - Northwest Admissions

Ensure you're prepared for the application process — keep track of deadlines and anticipate next steps.

Visual Timeline of important dates during the admissions process for first year students

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.

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

Submit your housing application beginning Nov. 1. This housing chart provides the timeline for room selection dates in the spring.
- (Compare university housing options.)
After completing your housing application, fill out your roommate profile information.
Visit campus! Consider attending the Accepted Student Visit Day for Fall, Nov. 16.

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

Submit the Standard Scholarship Application by Feb. 1
Students can register for Summer Orientation, Advisement and Registration (SOAR) beginning Feb. 15 in CatPAWS.

Students who completed their housing application on Nov. 1 will select their room from March 31 to Apr. 1 in the housing portal.
Review financial aid offer in CatPAWS.

Students who completed their housing application from Nov. 2 to Dec. 15 will select their room from Apr. 3 to 4 in the housing portal.
Students who completed their housing application on or after Dec. 16 to Jan. 27, 2025, will select their room from Apr. 7 to 8 the housing portal.
Students who completed their housing application on Jan. 28, 2025, will select their room on Apr. 9 in the housing portal.
For students who completed their housing application on Jan. 29 and beyond, room selection is open to all students in on Apr. 10 the housing portal.

Complete the Health History Form (for domestic students).
Visit campus! Consider attending the Accepted Student Visit Day for Spring, April 12.

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.
Deadline to qualify for limited edition Bearcat Box (students must complete and select housing and sign up for SOAR to qualify.)

Attend SOAR.
- Please select a SOAR date from the following options: June 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, 13, 14 or July 24, 25, or 26.
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 financial aid offer in CatPAWS.

Complete the Health History Form (for domestic students).
Attend SOAR.
- Please select a SOAR date from the following options: July 24, 25, or 26.
Watch for your first billing statement at the end of July.

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. (Move-in day is Aug. 21, 2025)
Begin classes!