NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
Scholarship
SCHOLARSHIPS
Undergraduate scholarships:
1. Northwestern University
Scholarship:
- Eligibility:
Open to both domestic and international undergraduate students
demonstrating financial need.
- Award Amount:
Ranges from $250 to over $40,000 annually, depending on the student's
demonstrated financial need.
- Application Process: Applicants are automatically considered upon
submission of the required financial aid documents; no separate
application is necessary.
2. Federal and State Grants (for
U.S. Citizens and Eligible Non-Citizens):
- Federal Pell Grant:
- Eligibility: Undergraduate students with exceptional financial
need.
- Award Amount: Ranges from $692 to $6,895 annually.
- Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP):
- Eligibility: Illinois residents demonstrating financial need.
- Award Amount: Up to $7,200 annually.
3. International Student Financial
Aid:
- Need-Aware Admission: International applicants' financial need is considered
during the admission process, making it more competitive.
- Financial Aid Awards:
- Coverage: Meet 100% of the student's demonstrated financial
need, considering the full cost of attendance, including tuition, room
and board, fees, health insurance, books and supplies, personal expenses,
and travel allowance.
- Components: Consist solely of grants and scholarships; loans are
not included.
- Application Process: International applicants must indicate their intent to
apply for financial aid on their admission application and submit the
required financial aid documents by the specified deadlines.
4. Northwestern Endowed
Scholarships:
- Eligibility:
Open to undergraduate students demonstrating financial need.
- Award Amount:
Varies based on the specific endowment and the student's demonstrated
financial need.
- Application Process: Students are automatically considered upon submission
of the required financial aid documents; no separate application is
necessary.
5. QuestBridge National College
Match Scholarship:
- Eligibility:
High-achieving, low-income students who apply to Northwestern through the
QuestBridge National College Match program.
- Award Amount:
Covers the full cost of attendance, including tuition, room and board,
books, and personal expenses.
- Application Process: Students must apply through the QuestBridge program
and rank Northwestern as one of their preferred colleges.
6. Chicago Star Scholarship:
- Eligibility:
Graduates of Chicago City Colleges who were Star Scholars and are
transferring to Northwestern.
- Award Amount:
Varies based on financial need.
- Application Process: Eligible students are considered upon transfer
application; no separate application is required.
7. Native American and Indigenous
Studies Scholarship:
- Eligibility:
Students demonstrating an outstanding commitment to Native American and
Indigenous issues.
- Award Amount: It varies. Funds awarded through this scholarship replace funds received as
part of a Northwestern University Scholarship.
- Application Process: Consideration is based on the admissions application
and demonstrated commitment; no separate application is required.
8. Outside Scholarships:
- Eligibility:
Various external organizations offer scholarships based on criteria such
as academic achievement, community service, or specific talents.
- Award Amount:
Varies by scholarship.
- Application Process: Students must apply directly to the external
organizations offering these scholarships.
Important Considerations:
- Financial Aid Application Deadlines: Adhering to financial aid application deadlines is
crucial. For Early Decision applicants, the deadline is December 1; for
Regular Decision applicants, it is February 1.
- Renewal Requirements: Most scholarships require students to maintain
satisfactory academic progress and may have specific GPA requirements for
renewal.
- Impact of Outside Scholarships: Receiving external scholarships may affect the
composition of a student's financial aid package, potentially reducing
loan or work-study components before adjusting institutional grants.
Graduate Scholarships:
Doctoral (PhD) Students:
- Funding Guarantee: PhD students typically receive full funding, which
includes tuition coverage, a living stipend, and health insurance. This
support is generally provided for a minimum of five years, contingent upon
maintaining satisfactory academic progress.
- Stipend Amount:
For the 2025–2026 academic year, the minimum annual stipend rate for PhD
students is set at $46,356, equating to $3,863 per month.
- Funding Sources:
Support may come from university fellowships, teaching assistantships,
research assistantships, or external fellowships. The specific type of
funding often depends on the department and the nature of the student's
research or teaching responsibilities.
Master's Students:
- Funding Availability: Funding for master's students is more limited compared
to doctoral students. Some programs may offer partial scholarships or
assistantships, but many master's students finance their education through
loans or personal funds.
- Program-Specific Opportunities: Certain departments provide specific scholarships or
assistantships for master's students. For example:
- School of Education and
Social Policy: Offers partial tuition
scholarships and graduate assistantships, which include a stipend and
tuition remission for work commitments of approximately 15–20 hours per
week.
- Medill School of Journalism: Awards merit-based scholarships and grants to over
90% of its graduate journalism students annually.
International Students:
- Eligibility:
International students are eligible for the same funding opportunities as
domestic students. For instance, the Driskill Graduate Program in Life
Sciences provides full tuition support and a stipend to all entering
students, including foreign nationals.
- Health Insurance:
Funding packages typically include health insurance coverage, ensuring
that international students have access to necessary healthcare services
during their studies.
Application Process and
Considerations:
- Automatic Consideration: Many graduate programs automatically consider
applicants for available funding during the admission process.
Courses
No results found
Eligibility criteria
ELGIBILTY FOR ADMISSION:
Undergrduate eligibility:
For Native (Domestic) Students
- Completed U.S. High School Diploma or equivalent.
- Strong Academic Record:
- Competitive GPA (3.9 typical average for admitted students).
- Rigorous coursework (AP, IB, Honors recommended).
- Standardized Test Scores (Optional):
- SAT or ACT is optional,
but strong scores can enhance the application.
- Middle 50% SAT: 1470–1570
- Middle 50% ACT: 33–35
- Strong Personal Essays and Extracurricular
Involvement.
- Letters of Recommendation from teachers/counselors.
For International Students
All of the above, plus:
- English Language Proficiency:
- TOEFL iBT: 100 recommended
- IELTS: 7.5
- Duolingo: 120 (accepted by some programs)
- Equivalent Secondary Education Certificate
- Must meet U.S. high school equivalency.
- Visa Requirements:
- I-20 form for F-1 visa issuance (after admission and financial
documentation submission).
Required
Documents (All Applicants)
- Common Application or Coalition Application
- Secondary school transcript(s)
- School Report and Counselor Recommendation
- Two academic teacher recommendations
- Personal Essay (Common App)
- Optional SAT/ACT scores
- Mid-year and final grade reports
- English proficiency test scores (international students)
- Financial aid documents (FAFSA and CSS Profile for aid seekers)
- Passport copy (international students)
Estimated Tuition & Fees (2024–25)
|
Fee Type |
Amount (USD) |
|
Tuition |
$65,997 / year |
|
Room and Board |
$19,440 / year |
|
Student Fees |
~$800 / year |
|
Books & Supplies |
~$1,656 / year |
|
Personal Expenses |
~$2,400 / year |
|
Health Insurance (Intl. only) |
~$4,800 / year (est.) |
|
Total (Domestic) |
~$90,000 / year |
|
Total (International) |
~$95,000 / year |
Graduate Eligibility:
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
For Native
(U.S./Domestic) Students
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university.
- GPA requirement: Typically a minimum of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
(program-specific).
- Standardized Tests: GRE/GMAT/LSAT/MCAT may be required, depending
on the program.
- Relevant academic background or work experience (varies by program).
- Strong writing samples, statement of
purpose, and recommendation letters.
For
International Students
- Equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree (from an accredited foreign institution).
- English Proficiency Test Scores (if degree not taught in English):
- TOEFL iBT: Minimum
90–100
- IELTS: 7.0
- Duolingo: 120
(accepted by some departments)
- GRE/GMAT as required by the program.
- Some programs may require credential evaluations (e.g., WES).
- Visa eligibility documents (after admission).
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (All Applicants)
|
Document |
Required |
|
|
Online application form |
Yes |
|
|
Official transcripts (from all
postsecondary institutions) |
Yes |
|
|
Statement of Purpose / Personal
Statement |
Yes |
|
|
Resume or CV |
Yes |
|
|
Letters of Recommendation (usually 2–3) |
Yes |
|
|
GRE/GMAT/MCAT/LSAT (if required by
program) |
Yes |
|
|
English proficiency test scores
(international) |
Yes |
|
|
Application Fee (typically $95–$125) |
Yes |
|
|
Writing sample / portfolio (for
specific programs like journalism, art, etc.) |
Optional/Program-specific |
ESTIMATED
FEES AND COSTS (2024–25)
Tuition at Northwestern varies by school and program. Below
is an average estimate:
|
Program/School |
Tuition (Per Year) |
|
(Arts & Sciences, etc.) |
$23,000 – $60,000 |
|
Kellogg School of Management (MBA) |
~$82,000 |
|
Pritzker School of Law (JD/LLM) |
~$76,000 |
|
Feinberg School of Medicine (MD) |
~$72,000 |
|
McCormick School of Engineering (MS,
PhD) |
~$60,000 |
|
Medill School of Journalism |
~$65,000 |
|
Bienen School of Music |
~$55,000 |
|
School of Communication |
~$55,000 |
|
Education and Social Policy |
~$52,000 |
Additional
Expenses (Estimated per year):
- Living Expenses (housing, food): ~$20,000
- Books & Supplies: ~$2,000
- Health Insurance: ~$4,800 (mandatory for international students)
- Transportation & Misc.: ~$2,000
???? Notes:
- Most PhD students receive full
funding (tuition
stipend).
- Some professional master's programs offer limited merit
scholarships.
- International students must
show financial capability to receive an I-20 for a student
visa.
Accommodation
Visa
University Video
SCHOLARSHIPS
Undergraduate scholarships:
1. Northwestern University
Scholarship:
- Eligibility:
Open to both domestic and international undergraduate students
demonstrating financial need.
- Award Amount:
Ranges from $250 to over $40,000 annually, depending on the student's
demonstrated financial need.
- Application Process: Applicants are automatically considered upon
submission of the required financial aid documents; no separate
application is necessary.
2. Federal and State Grants (for
U.S. Citizens and Eligible Non-Citizens):
- Federal Pell Grant:
- Eligibility: Undergraduate students with exceptional financial
need.
- Award Amount: Ranges from $692 to $6,895 annually.
- Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP):
- Eligibility: Illinois residents demonstrating financial need.
- Award Amount: Up to $7,200 annually.
3. International Student Financial
Aid:
- Need-Aware Admission: International applicants' financial need is considered
during the admission process, making it more competitive.
- Financial Aid Awards:
- Coverage: Meet 100% of the student's demonstrated financial
need, considering the full cost of attendance, including tuition, room
and board, fees, health insurance, books and supplies, personal expenses,
and travel allowance.
- Components: Consist solely of grants and scholarships; loans are
not included.
- Application Process: International applicants must indicate their intent to
apply for financial aid on their admission application and submit the
required financial aid documents by the specified deadlines.
4. Northwestern Endowed
Scholarships:
- Eligibility:
Open to undergraduate students demonstrating financial need.
- Award Amount:
Varies based on the specific endowment and the student's demonstrated
financial need.
- Application Process: Students are automatically considered upon submission
of the required financial aid documents; no separate application is
necessary.
5. QuestBridge National College
Match Scholarship:
- Eligibility:
High-achieving, low-income students who apply to Northwestern through the
QuestBridge National College Match program.
- Award Amount:
Covers the full cost of attendance, including tuition, room and board,
books, and personal expenses.
- Application Process: Students must apply through the QuestBridge program
and rank Northwestern as one of their preferred colleges.
6. Chicago Star Scholarship:
- Eligibility:
Graduates of Chicago City Colleges who were Star Scholars and are
transferring to Northwestern.
- Award Amount:
Varies based on financial need.
- Application Process: Eligible students are considered upon transfer
application; no separate application is required.
7. Native American and Indigenous
Studies Scholarship:
- Eligibility:
Students demonstrating an outstanding commitment to Native American and
Indigenous issues.
- Award Amount: It varies. Funds awarded through this scholarship replace funds received as
part of a Northwestern University Scholarship.
- Application Process: Consideration is based on the admissions application
and demonstrated commitment; no separate application is required.
8. Outside Scholarships:
- Eligibility:
Various external organizations offer scholarships based on criteria such
as academic achievement, community service, or specific talents.
- Award Amount:
Varies by scholarship.
- Application Process: Students must apply directly to the external
organizations offering these scholarships.
Important Considerations:
- Financial Aid Application Deadlines: Adhering to financial aid application deadlines is
crucial. For Early Decision applicants, the deadline is December 1; for
Regular Decision applicants, it is February 1.
- Renewal Requirements: Most scholarships require students to maintain
satisfactory academic progress and may have specific GPA requirements for
renewal.
- Impact of Outside Scholarships: Receiving external scholarships may affect the
composition of a student's financial aid package, potentially reducing
loan or work-study components before adjusting institutional grants.
Graduate Scholarships:
Doctoral (PhD) Students:
- Funding Guarantee: PhD students typically receive full funding, which
includes tuition coverage, a living stipend, and health insurance. This
support is generally provided for a minimum of five years, contingent upon
maintaining satisfactory academic progress.
- Stipend Amount:
For the 2025–2026 academic year, the minimum annual stipend rate for PhD
students is set at $46,356, equating to $3,863 per month.
- Funding Sources:
Support may come from university fellowships, teaching assistantships,
research assistantships, or external fellowships. The specific type of
funding often depends on the department and the nature of the student's
research or teaching responsibilities.
Master's Students:
- Funding Availability: Funding for master's students is more limited compared
to doctoral students. Some programs may offer partial scholarships or
assistantships, but many master's students finance their education through
loans or personal funds.
- Program-Specific Opportunities: Certain departments provide specific scholarships or
assistantships for master's students. For example:
- School of Education and
Social Policy: Offers partial tuition
scholarships and graduate assistantships, which include a stipend and
tuition remission for work commitments of approximately 15–20 hours per
week.
- Medill School of Journalism: Awards merit-based scholarships and grants to over
90% of its graduate journalism students annually.
International Students:
- Eligibility:
International students are eligible for the same funding opportunities as
domestic students. For instance, the Driskill Graduate Program in Life
Sciences provides full tuition support and a stipend to all entering
students, including foreign nationals.
- Health Insurance:
Funding packages typically include health insurance coverage, ensuring
that international students have access to necessary healthcare services
during their studies.
Application Process and
Considerations:
- Automatic Consideration: Many graduate programs automatically consider
applicants for available funding during the admission process.
No results found
ELGIBILTY FOR ADMISSION:
Undergrduate eligibility:
For Native (Domestic) Students
- Completed U.S. High School Diploma or equivalent.
- Strong Academic Record:
- Competitive GPA (3.9 typical average for admitted students).
- Rigorous coursework (AP, IB, Honors recommended).
- Standardized Test Scores (Optional):
- SAT or ACT is optional,
but strong scores can enhance the application.
- Middle 50% SAT: 1470–1570
- Middle 50% ACT: 33–35
- Strong Personal Essays and Extracurricular
Involvement.
- Letters of Recommendation from teachers/counselors.
For International Students
All of the above, plus:
- English Language Proficiency:
- TOEFL iBT: 100 recommended
- IELTS: 7.5
- Duolingo: 120 (accepted by some programs)
- Equivalent Secondary Education Certificate
- Must meet U.S. high school equivalency.
- Visa Requirements:
- I-20 form for F-1 visa issuance (after admission and financial
documentation submission).
Required
Documents (All Applicants)
- Common Application or Coalition Application
- Secondary school transcript(s)
- School Report and Counselor Recommendation
- Two academic teacher recommendations
- Personal Essay (Common App)
- Optional SAT/ACT scores
- Mid-year and final grade reports
- English proficiency test scores (international students)
- Financial aid documents (FAFSA and CSS Profile for aid seekers)
- Passport copy (international students)
Estimated Tuition & Fees (2024–25)
|
Fee Type |
Amount (USD) |
|
Tuition |
$65,997 / year |
|
Room and Board |
$19,440 / year |
|
Student Fees |
~$800 / year |
|
Books & Supplies |
~$1,656 / year |
|
Personal Expenses |
~$2,400 / year |
|
Health Insurance (Intl. only) |
~$4,800 / year (est.) |
|
Total (Domestic) |
~$90,000 / year |
|
Total (International) |
~$95,000 / year |
Graduate Eligibility:
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
For Native
(U.S./Domestic) Students
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university.
- GPA requirement: Typically a minimum of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
(program-specific).
- Standardized Tests: GRE/GMAT/LSAT/MCAT may be required, depending
on the program.
- Relevant academic background or work experience (varies by program).
- Strong writing samples, statement of
purpose, and recommendation letters.
For
International Students
- Equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree (from an accredited foreign institution).
- English Proficiency Test Scores (if degree not taught in English):
- TOEFL iBT: Minimum
90–100
- IELTS: 7.0
- Duolingo: 120
(accepted by some departments)
- GRE/GMAT as required by the program.
- Some programs may require credential evaluations (e.g., WES).
- Visa eligibility documents (after admission).
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (All Applicants)
|
Document |
Required |
|
|
Online application form |
Yes |
|
|
Official transcripts (from all
postsecondary institutions) |
Yes |
|
|
Statement of Purpose / Personal
Statement |
Yes |
|
|
Resume or CV |
Yes |
|
|
Letters of Recommendation (usually 2–3) |
Yes |
|
|
GRE/GMAT/MCAT/LSAT (if required by
program) |
Yes |
|
|
English proficiency test scores
(international) |
Yes |
|
|
Application Fee (typically $95–$125) |
Yes |
|
|
Writing sample / portfolio (for
specific programs like journalism, art, etc.) |
Optional/Program-specific |
ESTIMATED
FEES AND COSTS (2024–25)
Tuition at Northwestern varies by school and program. Below
is an average estimate:
|
Program/School |
Tuition (Per Year) |
|
(Arts & Sciences, etc.) |
$23,000 – $60,000 |
|
Kellogg School of Management (MBA) |
~$82,000 |
|
Pritzker School of Law (JD/LLM) |
~$76,000 |
|
Feinberg School of Medicine (MD) |
~$72,000 |
|
McCormick School of Engineering (MS,
PhD) |
~$60,000 |
|
Medill School of Journalism |
~$65,000 |
|
Bienen School of Music |
~$55,000 |
|
School of Communication |
~$55,000 |
|
Education and Social Policy |
~$52,000 |
Additional
Expenses (Estimated per year):
- Living Expenses (housing, food): ~$20,000
- Books & Supplies: ~$2,000
- Health Insurance: ~$4,800 (mandatory for international students)
- Transportation & Misc.: ~$2,000
???? Notes:
- Most PhD students receive full
funding (tuition
stipend).
- Some professional master's programs offer limited merit
scholarships.
- International students must
show financial capability to receive an I-20 for a student
visa.


