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Reduced Tuition Benefits

The Dependent Reduced Tuition plans pay benefits toward the cost of tuition for eligible spouse/partner and eligible dependent child(ren) enrolled in a Northwestern University undergraduate degree program or in the University’s School of Professional Studies undergraduate level classes. A list of some eligible Northwestern programs can be found in the Professional Development section of our website.

Reminders

Winter 2024 Invoice

For employees and dependents taking courses at Northwestern, the first invoice for Winter 2024, posted on or around December 1, 2023, will not include the tuition benefit. The invoice generated in January 2024 will include tuition benefits approved before January 1, 2024. You may be required to pay your portion of the tuition before you can register for classes. Contact your school for more information.

2024 Applications

Dependent Reduced Tuition applications are required once per calendar year per dependent.  This means if you have already applied for a prior term in calendar year 2024, you do not need to submit another application for Fall 2024.  Applications are processed in the order in which they are received.  Timely submission of you request will ensure your application is processed.  However, during peak times during the year, processing times will increase.  We cannot guarantee that all applications will be processed prior to another institutions tuition payment due date.

For assistance completing your application, please see the Dependent Reduced Tuition step-by-step guide.

The application window for 2025 benefits will not open until early-December 2024.

Dependent eligibility 

Both eligible spouses and dependent children taking undergraduate courses at Northwestern University schools may take advantage of this benefit.  

What is covered

Undergraduate Day School

Tuition benefit and plan ID for various years of service.

Required Qualified Service

Tuition Benefit

Plan ID 

5 years - Full-time Service 

50% Benefit 

DRU2 

Hired prior to 1/1/2000

90% Benefit 

DRU0 

 

School of Professional Studies

Tuition benefit and plan ID for various years of service.

Required Qualified Service

 Tuition Benefit

 Plan ID

6 months - Full-time Service 

85% Benefit 

DRU1 

Frequency 

One online application (apply by logging in to myHR) is required per dependent per benefit plan for each calendar year (Jan - Dec) of study.  The benefit is applied to Summer term, but can be removed for Summer upon request.  Contact Student Finance at studentaccounts-ev@northwestern.edu to make this request.

Documentation 

For each dependent reduced tuition application, you will need to submit the following documentation: A copy of your most recently filed 1040 tax form as proof of dependency.

Certification 

By submitting an application, you are agreeing to the following statement: I certify that the information provided is correct.  I agree to comply with the provisions of the Northwestern Tuition Benefit plan as described in the plan document.  I agree to pay, at the latest, by the due date on the student's account for all tuition, fees and other related educational costs that are not covered by this benefit plan. (For student account questions, contact Student Finance.) 

Contributed Service Medical School Faculty Member 

Contributed Service Faculty Members of the Medical School are only eligible for the Dependent Reduced Tuition benefit only and should apply via paper application. Submit the paper Dependent Reduced Tuition Application form, along with documentation from your Department Chairman that you participate in the equivalent of 78 hours per year in scheduled teaching to benefits@northwestern.edu.

For more information on how to apply for the benefits, see the Feinberg School of Medicine's Contributed Service Faculty Member website or email questions to fao@northwestern.edu.

Getting Started

  1. Determine the course of study or program in which your dependent would like to participate. A list of some eligible Northwestern programs can be found in the Professional Development section of our website.
  2. Apply for and be accepted into the program.
  3. Register for your courses.
  4. Pay Student Finance 10% of the total tuition.
  5. Apply for the tuition benefit. See step-by-step guide.
  6. Enter the year for the first term of the calendar year (not academic year).