Information regarding internal fellowship competitions, including deadlines, eligibility, and length of award may be found on our university fellowships and grants pages.  The Graduate School strongly encourages students to apply for external fellowships and grants, as well.  Information on external awards and the services available to students interested in applying for outside funds should visit our external funding pages. 

Applicants to The Graduate School that wish to be considered for fellowships and scholarships must ensure that their applications, fees, and all supporting materials reach Northwestern University by the application deadline set by their program.  Offers of admission are made by The Graduate School.  Typically, an offer of fellowship or scholarship is made to admitted students directly by the admitting program.  However, awards may be made at any time after the applicant has been admitted to The Graduate School.  An offer of funding will not be made unless and until all admission requirements are met and application materials submitted.  In accordance with a national agreement among graduate schools, any offers of admission or funding made earlier than three weeks before April 15 must be accepted or refused no later than April 15.

 
Every fellow and scholar in The Graduate School must meet the eligibility requirements set for all students receiving financial aid.  In addition, students receiving a fellowship and/or scholarship must inform The Graduate School of other sources of support (such as traineeships, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, School of Continuing Studies teaching, or other fellowships).  In cases where alternative funding is available, arrangements will be made to integrate this funding with The Graduate School award.  Furthermore, fellows and scholars must refrain from remunerative work (other than teaching or research directly related to their assistantships) unless a written request for a waiver is approved by The Graduate School after a thorough review of the circumstances.  If any of these conditions is violated, financial support may be withdrawn by The Graduate School.

 

Fellows and scholars are not expected to teach or assist in laboratories in return for their awards, except when such duties are required of all doctoral students in the department. University support may be adjusted if a student receives an external award. A student who is offered both a University Fellowship and an external award is expected to accept the outside support and should consult The Graduate School before a decision is made.