Tuition and Financial Aid

The Alumnae of Northwestern University offers the Alumnae Graduate Fellowship to those who earned their undergraduate degree at Northwestern University, preferably females, who show promise of achieving distinction in their field and bringing credit to the University. The award is valued at up to $20,000. 

Selection criteria include quality of scholarship, leadership, community service, professional experience and financial need. Students who plan to pursue a career that serves the public good receive special consideration. The application is available through the Fellowship Office from January through April. 

Students are encouraged to explore scholarships offered by civic and professional organizations, foundations, and state agencies. A helpful starting point is the financial aid information webpage provided by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. Another excellent resource is Northwestern University's Office of Fellowships, which offers guidance and support for finding funding opportunities.

Federally funded interns work about 20 hours per week during each quarter of their internship and must be enrolled full-time (three or more courses) during the internship period. Internships may be available in various departments and functional areas, with compensation set at $4,500 per quarter ($22.50 per hour). These internships can last anywhere from one to five quarters, but no federal funding is provided during the summer months. Positions are awarded based on academic performance and an interview.

Internships are paid through federal work-study funds. To qualify, candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov. Applicants should indicate interest in federally funded internships on the financial aid section of the online application. Since a limited number of internships are available, applicants are encouraged to apply by the early admission deadline.

To be eligible for U.S.-sponsored loans, you must be a U.S. citizen and enrolled in at least two courses per quarter (excluding summer). If you need financial aid to help cover your costs, you can find all the required forms and instructions on the Northwestern Graduate Financial Aid website.

To ensure your financial aid is processed on time, we recommend submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after Jan. 1 for the upcoming year.

Questions? Contact the Northwestern Graduate Financial Aid office.