Financial Aid

The Medill School of Journalism is committed to enrolling the most qualified students regardless of ability to pay. Medill's graduate program awards more than $1.3 million in institutional grants and donor-sponsored scholarship assistance to incoming students each year. The University also awards financial aid in the form of low-interest loans and work-study opportunities. In combination, these resources enable the Medill program to support all of a student's calculated need.

Recipients of financial aid may accept all or any part of the aid offered. The amount of an award is confidential between the University and the student. It is the student's responsibility to notify the financial aid office if his/her financial circumstances change, since this may influence the student's financial aid package. Students must reapply for financial aid each academic year and must maintain the requirements established by the Financial Aid Committee of the University.

Application Procedure
The Financial Aid Committee cannot determine the financial aid package until an applicant has been admitted by the University. Candidates should do the following as soon as possible after being admitted:

• Complete and submit the Medill Financial Aid Application.
• File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form can be completed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. To ensure that Medill receives a copy of your form electronically, please include our school code, E00513, in the appropriate section.

Candidates will receive further instructions upon admission.

Loans - U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents
Applicants for financial assistance are expected to have the confidence and willingness to invest part of their future earning capacity to educational loans to further their career preparation. Several low-interest loan programs are available to Medill students: the Federal Stafford Loan (formerly GSL), Federal Perkins Loan (formerly NDSL) and private educational loans through the Access Group, Ctibank, and Northwestern's Parent/Student Loan Program. Depending on individual circumstances, these loans may make up a large part of a financial aid award package.

Scholarships - U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents
Each year, many Medill graduate students benefit from the generosity of Medill alumni, faculty and friends who have donated time and resources to provide scholarships.

The Medill Scholarship Committee selects students for scholarships on the basis of merit, need, donor intent and/or a combination of these and other factors. Unless otherwise specified, no separate application is needed to apply for Medill scholarships.

Students are strongly encouraged to research and apply for scholarship funds from outside sources to help supplement the cost of their education. Two helpful scholarship engines are www.fastweb.com and www.scholarships.com.

International Students
International students are not eligible for Medill scholarships or financial aid. International students are strongly encouraged to research and apply for scholarship funds from outside sources to supplement the cost of their education. Information on outside scholarships and links to scholarship search Web sites are available.

Due to the intense nature of our program, Medill does not offer assistantships or fellowships.

Satisfactory Academic Progress
To comply with federal regulations, students at Northwestern University must maintain satisfactory academic progress for the disbursement of federal student assistance funds. Federal regulations also state that if a student does not have a C average or the required academic standing (as stipulated in Medill's academic regulations), he or she may not receive further aid from federal financial aid programs.

A student who fails to maintain satisfactory academic progress, as defined by Medill, may be awarded assistance for one additional payment period to reestablish satisfactory standing. Successful completion of a minimum full-time course load during this period is required. Students who fail to complete a minimum full-time course load during this period will be ineligible for any additional assistance during subsequent quarters.

Students will not receive assistance for the additional payment period if, in accordance with the academic policies of Medill, they have been dismissed from the University. However, the Financial Aid Committee may decide to continue aid when there are unusual circumstances and students demonstrate academic promise.

Academic Regulations and Registration

Scholarships for International Applicants

Insider's Guide to Medill

Useful Contacts

Questions?
Office of Graduate Admissions
Medill School of Journalism
1845 Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL 60208
(847) 491-5228 or
(847) 491-2052
medill-admis@northwestern.edu