Tuition
For the 2012-2013 academic year, tuition for the MSC program is $45,549 for domestic students and $60,732 for international students. This includes four (4) quarters of instruction, required practicum seminars, course materials, weekly lunches, and parking. Students provide their own laptop computers and textbooks (approximately $500).
Fee Payment:
Students are billed $5,061 per credit unit at the beginning of each quarter with payment due before the start of classes. Each MSC Practicum Seminar is valued at .25 credit unit. $1,265.25 per Practicum Seminar is billed during the quarter in which one or more Practicum Seminars are taken. International students enroll in a minimum of 3 credit units each term, with exception to the final term of study, as per U.S. student visa (F1) guidelines.
Funding
There are several options for funding the MSC degree, as shown below.
The MSC Program does not award scholarships, but students are encouraged to visit the Student Financial Services website for information about funding their degree. MSC is a part-time (half-time) program with full-time student financial aid abilities.
Self-funded
Students pay tuition directly with a combination of federal student loans and/or personal funds.
Federal Loans
Students may work with Northwestern University’s Student Financial Services Office to apply for federal loans.
After January 1, 2011, students can fill out a FAFSA (Free Application for Financial Student Aid) online, at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Northwestern University’s school code is “001739”. Loans available to qualifying graduate students include up to $20,500 in a Federal Stafford Loan and up to $56,108 in a Federal Grad Plus Loan. Once a student has been admitted to the MSC Program, the completed FAFSA data will appear in Northwestern’s system, and after being assigned a Northwestern email account, Student Financial Services will send an email award notice with instructions on how to view/accept/decline student loan funds.
Employer funded
Employer sponsored students must submit a letter on organization letterhead stating that Northwestern University should bill the company directly each term for the Master of Science in Communication Program tuition fees. The letter must clearly state that the employer agrees to pay tuition regardless of the courses taken or the grades received. Please also specify the appropriate contact person’s name within the organization, his/her telephone number, the address to which invoices should be sent, the period covered by the authorization, and the charges to which it applies (tuition, fees, books, parking, etc.).
Send the letter to:
Northwestern University
Office of Student Accounts
555 Clark St.
Evanston, IL 60208.
Employer-sponsored students who require the completion of the course before reimbursement are not exempt from payment by the due dates. Should the student require financial assistance to make payments by the due date, he or she should apply for financial aid.
Military Programs
Eligible Veterans can utilize the GI Bill by attending the MSC Program. After being accepted to the program, admissions staff will contact the Registrar’s Office to start the appropriate paperwork.
Fellowships and Scholarships
The MSC program does not award financial aid or scholarships, however students are encouraged to research the various fellowship opportunities available to graduate students through Northwestern University’s Fellowship Office.
International Student Funding Options
International students are ineligible for U.S. sponsored federal loans. Finaid.org is an excellent source of information regarding private student loans. Not all lenders offer loan programs for international students. Those that do, require a creditworthy cosigner who is a citizen or Permanent Resident of the United States.
Information on other funding options for international students:
Note: The MSC Program reserves the right to make changes affecting the policies, fees, curricula or any other matters referenced on this site.
