Financial Aid/Scholarships
Medill considers all admitted students for institutional grants and scholarships. In addition, U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply for federal financial aid, which includes the Unsubsidized Direct Loan. Students may use a combination of student loans and scholarships to cover the cost of the attendance.
Federal financial aid
U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply for federal financial aid to help pay for graduate education expenses. Through federal financial aid, you can apply for the Unsubsidized Direct Loan:
There are no Pell grants or work-study available for graduate students through federal financial aid. Also, effective July 1, 2026, the Grad PLUS loan program will not be available to students per H.R.1 OBBBA.
To apply for federal financial aid, you will need to complete the upcoming year's Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Eligible students will receive more information on applying for federal financial aid upon admission.
Private student loans
Students may consider private student loans to help with educational expenses. The terms and conditions of each private loan are set by the individual lenders. You can use the Preferred Lender list from the Office of Student Finance to start your research into private student loans.
Teaching assistantships and fellowships
Due to the intensive and practical nature of our program, we do not offer teaching assistantships or fellowships.
International students
International students will be considered for selected Medill scholarships but are not eligible for federal financial aid. International students should plan to bear most, if not all, of the cost of attending Medill.
Please visit Northwestern’s Office of Student Finance for a list of lenders that provide loans to international students. Please note that some loans require you to have a U.S. citizen or permanent resident as a co-maker/co-signer for the loan.