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Application Process

Below are instructions and guides to assist you with applying for the tuition benefit plans.  Information about the benefit and eligibility can be found on the tuition benefit website.

Employee Reduced

To apply for tuition benefits from this plan, you must complete an Employee Reduced Tuition Benefit Application online by following these steps.  For additional assistance, use this step-by-step guide to complete the application. Employee Reduced applications are completed once per calendar year; and should be submitted for your first term the year.

  1. Log in to the myHR Self Service Portal at northwestern.edu/myhr/ with your NetID, Password and Multifactor Authentication.
  2. Select “Benefits” and “My Tuition Benefit Application.”
  3. Select “Submit New Application.”
  4. Select the “Tuition Benefit Year.”
  5. Use the magnifying glass icon to select the “Plan ID” ER if you make over $100k or EER if you make under $100k.
  6. Follow the instructions to complete your application.

If you reach your three-year anniversary mid-year and wish to use the Enhanced Employee Reduced Tuition Plan for terms beginning after your anniversary

Employee Certificate

The Employee Certificate Tuition Benefit Plan pays benefits for job-related, short-term, non-credit certificate courses taken at Northwestern University and billed outside of CAESAR. Courses billed through CAESAR, such as SPS post baccalaureate programs, are covered under the employee reduced tuition plans.  A list of some eligible Northwestern programs can be found in the Professional Development section of our website.

To apply for tuition benefits from this plan, you must complete an Employee Certificate Tuition Benefit Application online by following these steps.  For additional assistance, use this step-by-step guide to complete the application. Employee Certificate applications are completed for each term.

  1. Log in to the myHR Self Service Portal at northwestern.edu/myhr/ with your NetID, Password and Multifactor Authentication.
  2. Select “Benefits” and “My Tuition Benefit Application.”
  3. Select “Submit New Application.”
  4. Select the “Tuition Benefit Year.”
  5. Use the magnifying glass icon to select the “Plan ID” EC – Employee Certificate.
  6. Follow the instructions to complete your application and upload the required documentation with your name clearly visible on all documents:
    • A copy of the associated certificate showing program completion
    • A Supervisor Acknowledgement Form– Employee Northwestern Certificate signed by your supervisor
    • An itemized bill clearly showing the tuition for that program, listing all financial assistance you receive from other sources (for example, scholarships, grants or programs for educational funding), and
    • Proof of payment.
Employee Portable

It is advised you should obtain your supervisor’s approval to enroll in course(s); this will confirm the coursework is degree- or job-related. Once you complete a course – with a letter grade of “C” or higher (or a letter grade of “P” for “Pass” or “S” for “Satisfactory”), you must complete an Employee Portable Tuition Benefit Application online.  To apply for tuition benefits online follow these steps.  For additional assistance, use this step-by-step guide to complete the application.

  1. Log in to the myHR Self Service Portal at northwestern.edu/myhr/ with your NetID, Password and Multifactor Authentication.
  2. Select “Benefits” and “My Tuition Benefit Application.”
  3. Select “Submit New Application.”
  4. Select the “Tuition Benefit Year.”
  5. Use the magnifying glass icon to select the “Plan ID” EP – Employee Portable.
  6. Follow the instructions to complete your application and upload the required documentation with your name clearly visible on all documents:
    • A copy of your grade report
    • A copy the Supervisor Acknowledgement Form – Employee Portable signed by your supervisor
    • An itemized tuition bill clearly showing your tuition cost for the course, listing all financial assistance you receive from other sources (for example, scholarships, grants or programs for educational funding), and
    • Proof of payment of tuition.
Dependent Reduced

To apply for tuition benefits from this plan, you must complete an Dependent Reduced Tuition Benefit Application online by following these steps.  For additional assistance, use this step-by-step guide to complete the application.  Dependent Reduced applications are completed once per calendar year; and should be submitted for your dependent's first term the year.

  1. Log in to the myHR Self Service Portal at northwestern.edu/myhr/ with your NetID, Password and Multifactor Authentication.
  2. Select “Benefits” and “My Tuition Benefit Application.”
  3. Select “Submit New Application.”
  4. Select the “Tuition Benefit Year.”
  5. Use the magnifying glass icon to select the “Plan ID” DRU2.
    • If hired before 1/1/2000 use “Plan ID” DRU0.
    • If taking courses are at SPS use “Plan ID” DRU1.
  6. Follow the instructions to complete your application. Upload assigned copy of your most recently filed IRS Form 1040 as proof of your family member’s financial dependency –showing the student as a dependent and the signature page of the Form 1040.
Dependent Portable

To apply for tuition benefits from this plan, you must complete a Dependent Portable Tuition Benefit Application online by following these steps.  For additional assistance, use this step-by-step guide to complete the application.  Dependent Reduced applications are completed for each term.

  1. Log in to the myHR Self Service Portal at northwestern.edu/myhr/ with your NetID, Password and Multifactor Authentication.
  2. Select “Benefits” and “My Tuition Benefit Application.”
  3. Select “Submit New Application.”
  4. Select the “Tuition Benefit Year.”
  5. Use the magnifying glass icon to select the “Plan ID”:
    • DP1 – Dependent Portable
    • If hired prior to 1/1/2000, you are eligible for DP0 – Dependent Portable. This benefit might not be a generous as DP1 so please review the website for more information.  
  6. Follow the instructions to complete your application and upload the required documentation with your child’s name clearly visible on all documents:
    • Proof of your student’s eligibility – first page of your most recent Federal 1040 redacted showing the student as a dependent plus the signature page
    • Proof of full-time student status,
    • An itemized tuition bill clearly showing the tuition cost for the term, listing all financial assistance received from other sources (for example, scholarships, grants or programs for educational funding), and
    • Proof of payment of tuition (if the benefit will be paid to the employee).
Retirees & Non-University Employees

Those who meet the definition of a Retiree, surviving spouse/dependent, or those at Feinberg School of Medicine (FSM) who are considered Academic Full-time Faculty or Contributed Service Faculty are eligible for some tuition benefits.  To apply for benefits you must complete a paper application.  Please send an email to askHR@northwestern.edu to request a copy of the application for the current term.