In order to receive your first stipend payment on Monday, September 30, you must complete the necessary payroll paperwork with Northwestern University. Due to the guidelines set by Homeland Security, we have to verify that our doctoral students are eligible to work in the United States and have the required documentation.

Please note the important payroll deadlines below. You must meet these deadlines in order to qualify for your first stipend payment on September 30.

Payroll forms to be completed upon your arrival on campus

1. You must complete the E-Verify Sections 1 and 2 of the electronic I-9 form by Monday, September 23. Please contact Northwestern's Payroll Office if you require any assistance. Their phone number is (847) 491-7362.

You are required to meet with Northwestern's Payroll Office by Monday, September 23, to complete the E-Verify Section 2 process and paperwork for payroll. The Payroll office is located at 720 University Place, 2nd Floor. Their hours are 8:30 a.m to 5:00 p.m. At that time, you will need to provide the required documentation outlined below:

• For US citizens, please bring your driver’s license and Social Security card or your passport. 
• For US permanent residents, please bring your residency card (otherwise known as the "green card”) and your Social Security card.
• For international students, please bring your passport, I-94 and I-20 or DS-2019 documents. You will also need your Social Security card that lists your Social Security Number (SSN) or your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). The University is obligated by law to request from you a SSN or ITIN number so this information can be included on an information return to be filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 

2. You will also need to complete the following forms:
   • Personal Data form
   • Federal W-4 (US citizens and permanent residents only)
   • Illinois W-4 (US citizens and permanent residents only)
   • Foreign National Information System (FNIS) Forms (international students only). Northwestern's Payroll Office will send you the appropriate link when you complete Section 2 of the E-Verify process.
   • Direct Deposit form - Complete the Direct Deposit Form (.pdf) and return the form to Payroll (720 University Place).  If you have access to FASIS Self-Service, you can complete the direct deposit form online. More information on this process is provided below under Direct Deposit and PayChek Plus.

This paperwork must be completed and a SSN or ITIN provided or you will NOT receive your stipend. For information on obtaining a SSN or ITIN, please go to Applying for a SSN or ITIN. 

Please Note: For those applying for a Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, your stipend payments for September and October will be paid without the SSN or ITIN. Students have a two-month grace period while they are waiting for the SSN and ITIN to be assigned. You must provide the SSN or ITIN to Northwestern's Payroll Office by November or your November payment will be held pending your SSN or ITIN. Therefore, as soon as you receive your SSN or ITIN, please stop by Northwestern's Payroll Office immediately.

Stipend payments are deposited on the last day of the month. If the last day of the month falls on a weekend, then your stipend will be available on the previous Friday. Your stipend will be paid September through August in 12 equal payments. 

The September payroll is always chaotic because it is the first pay period of the new academic year. If your stipend payment was not credited to your bank account, please contact Susan Jackman.

Direct Deposit and PayChek Plus
Northwestern pays faculty, staff, and doctoral students by direct deposit – funds deposited directly into your bank account. Another option is the pay card or PayChek Plus. More information on direct deposit or obtaining a pay card is available online.