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The Graduate School

Tuition and fees for Graduates listed here are for 2012 – 13. Increases should be expected in subsequent years.

For tuition purposes the term course refers to course credit. Some course offerings carry more than one course credit

Fee Charges
 Amount

Application fee (nonrefundable)

 $75
Activity Fee
  • Required for all full-time enrolled Graduate School students, except for those enrolled in 512, 513, 514, 506, 507 or 508.
 $78 (per term)
Copyright Fee
  • Required for Doctor of Philosophy candidates.
 $55
Annual Health and Hospitalization Premium
  • All full-time Northwestern students are required to maintain health insurance that meets University standards. To help students obtain the required insurance, the University has contracted with Aetna Student Health. Information about the Aetna plan is available at www.aetnastudenthealth.com. Under “Students” select “Find Your School” and specify either Northwestern University or policy number 812845.
  • You may also contact the Health Insurance Office on either campus:
    Evanston: 633 Emerson Street; Phone 847-491-2113
    Chicago: 357 East Chicago Avenue (Law School, room 131); Phone 312-503-1242
  • Online enrollment for full-time students is available through CAESAR from July 1 through October 1.
  • Application for coverage for spouses and dependents must be made to Aetna Student Health during the open enrollment period that will end October 31. Go to www.aetnastudenthealth.com; under “Students” select “Find Your School” and specify either Northwestern University or policy number 812845; then select “Plans & Products Offered to You” and “Online Dependent Enrollment.”
  • New Students
    All new full-time students must log into CAESAR to enroll in or opt out of Aetna Student Health coverage. Under “For Students,” select “Enrollment” and “Health Coverage Plan” and choose the appropriate option. Students who do not opt out of the Aetna Student Health Plan by completing the online Coverage Selection Form will be billed for one year’s enrollment.
  • International Students
    As of September 1, 2010, Northwestern University has mandated that all international students enroll in the Aetna Student Health Plan. An “international student” is defined as a holder of an F-1 or J-1 US visa, for which full-time student status is required. International students do not use the online Coverage Selection Form and may not waive or opt out of the Aetna Student Health Plan; charges for the Aetna Plan are automatically billed to the student’s account. International students with private health insurance may make a one-time request for evaluation of their coverage; for more information, see “Incoming International Students” at www.nuhs.northwestern.edu/evanston/insurance.aspx.
  • Continuing Students
    • Students who did not have Aetna Student Health coverage and now wish to enroll: Log into CAESAR; from the menu choose “For Students,” select “Enrollment” and “Health Coverage Plan.” Select the first option to enroll.
    • Students who enrolled and now wish to opt out: Follow the steps above and select the second option on the last step.
    • Students who enrolled and wish to continue coverage: Do nothing. You will be reenrolled automatically when you register for classes.
    • Students who waived coverage and wish to waive again: Do nothing. Based on your full-time registration posting, your waiver will be automatically renewed for the next academic year.

$2,842 (Student)

Optional Coverage:
$5,680 (Spouse / same‑sex partner)
$3,555 (Dependent child)

* See Aetna Student Health for more details.
Late Payment Penalty
  • Late fees are assessed each quarter on amounts remaining unpaid (whole or in part) after the due date.
  • Students may petition to have late fees removed if they feel the charge was unfairly assessed. A late fee caused by delayed financial aid may be cancelled, as long as the remaining balance is paid by the original due date.
 $150
Monthly Maintenance Fee
  • Charged to inactive tuition and fee accounts remaining open after last term of registration has ended
 $5/month

Non-refundable 9PAY Payment Plan Application Fee

 $50 (each year)

9PAY Payment Plan Late Payment Fee

 $10/late payment
Late Registration Fee
  • Fees are assessed for registering at times other than the scheduled time.
  • Payment is due at registration; a $5 surcharge will be added if billing is necessary.
 $25 (with $5 surcharge if fee is billed)
Readmission Fee $250
Retroactive Registration Fees
  • For registering after the quarter has ended.
  • Fee is charged following registration for the following quarter.
 $225

Returned Payment Fee

$35
Transcript Fees
  • Optional rush service fee is applied to each request (in addition to the cost of transcripts
 $8/transcript (electronic)
$10/transcript (paper)
$25/transcript (paper) USPS same day

WildCARD Replacement Fee

 $15