The RA is an essential member of the Northwestern Residential Services team whose primary role is to build strong communities by facilitating the social, academic, and personal transition of residential students as they enter and move through their Northwestern experiences.
RAs provide facilitated programs and services designed to both respond to student needs and provide opportunities for education, support, and personal growth. RAs must be comfortable interacting with university officials, faculty, staff, parents, and above all else, students.
RAs report directly to their Resident Director and Assistant Resident Director. Indirectly reports to the Program Manager, Area Coordinators, Assistant Directors, and Director of Residential Community & Support. RAs work collaboratively with all Residential Services staff.
Role description for 2026-2027 will be added in late Fall Quarter 2025.
General Information
Qualifications
Be a full time, degree seeking undergraduate Northwestern student, enrolled in courses each quarter.
Have a minimum quarterly and cumulative GPA of 2.75 or above.
Be in good academic and conduct standing. Good standing means you are not on probation.
First year RAs cannot participate in opportunities that require significant time off campus including, but not limited to; Chicago Field Studies, Internships, or student teaching.
Timeline of Process
RA Selection Timeline
Item
Date
Application Opens for New RA Candidates via eRezLife
Friday, November 21, 2025
Information Sessions
TBD: December 2025 and January 2026
Current Resident Assistant Intent to Return opens
Monday, January 12, 2026
Candidate and Returning RAs submit for Accommodations to OCR (separate from Housing Portal accommodation application)
Monday, January 12, 2026
Application Closes for New RA Candidates
Friday, January 16, 2026
Candidate Status Update
By Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Current Resident Assistant Intent to Return Closes
Friday, January 30, 2026 at 12:00 Noon
Candidate Interviews
Monday-Thursday, February 2-5, 2026 via Zoom
Returning RA Selection
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
New RA Selection
Late Feburary TBD
Candidate Notification
Monday, March 2, 2026 (tentative)
New RA Candidate responses due
Friday, March 13, 2026 by 12:00 Noon
Application Instructions
Step 1: Visit the Residential Services Webpage to login to your Housing Portal
View using the direct link for current Northwestern undergraduate students not living on campus
Step 3: Navigate to the 'Jobs' tab and click 'View Job Postings'
Navigate to the Jobs tab and click View Job Postings.
Step 4: Complete the Resident Application
Complete the Resident Application (both the Job Profile by adding your cell phone number, and the application by completing all questions and clicking submit).
FAQs
Who do I contact for more information?
You can talk to any of our Resident Directors or email selection@northwestern.edu to reach a member of our Resident Assistant Recruitment, Selection and Training Committee.
Do I get to choose where I live as an RA?
We may ask questions related to placement preferences which will be taken into account during our selection processes. When you apply to be an RA, you are applying for the role, not the building placement. We will take your preferences into account for strengths, space limitations, and staffing needs.
What is required to apply?
All candidates must:
fill out the online RA application
be in good standing academically and with the Office of Community Standards (meaning you're not actively on probation at the time the appointment starts)
maintain a minimum 2.75 cumulative and quarterly GPA
be enrolled as a full-time, undergraduate student
What is the compensation for RAs and SRAs?
All RA and SRA candidates are highly encouraged to meet with Financial Aid early in the selection process to review how the compensation package may impact your individual aid package.
Compensation Summary
$9,500 room stipend paid monthly over ten months (September to June - tentative plan)
$1,500 stipend paid monthly over 10 months (September to June) for Resident Assistants
$3,000 stipend paid monthly over 10 months (September to June) for Senior Resident Assistants
Open access meal plan
Will I still receive financial aid if I'm an RA?
Yes, you are still eligible for financial aid. However, being an RA can impact your total financial aid package.
Early in the application process, we STRONGLY encourage all interested candidates to schedule an appointment with Undergraduate Financial Aid to review your individual situation. To schedule an appointment, email undergradaid@u.northwestern.edu with the subject line containing "Resident Assistant Candidate Question"
Can transfer students apply?
Yes! We encourage all transfer students to apply. You must be a current Northwestern undergraduate student at the time of applying for the role.
As an International Student, how might my pay be impacted in the Resident Assistant role?
As an International Student at Northwestern, it is highly likely that your pay is significantly impacted as a Resident Assistant due to the United States tax codes with relation to your home country treaty with the United States. Each student’s situation is different in how impact may or may not occur. Many students see substantially less pay after submitting their housing payment until they file their Federal Taxes each year.
