Tuition & Financial Aid

Educational costs are assessed each term. Please note that tuition costs are subject to increase at the start of each academic year. For the most current tuition information, please visit The Graduate School at Northwestern.

Cost of living allowances are based on estimates and represent the maximum values for determining your cost of attendance. For the most current cost of living allowance information, please visit The Graduate School at Northwestern.

US citizens and permanent residents have multiple options for financial aid, including federal loans, grants, and program scholarships. We encourage applicants to apply for financial aid at the same time they submit their application to Northwestern.

Learn how to apply for financial aid here.

Visit the Evanston Office of Graduate Financial Aid website for additional details about general financial aid and loan options, or contact an enrollment specialist at 1-844-684-6221 or admissions@counseling.northwestern.edu.

Updates about the recently passed federal reconciliation bill can be found here. An FAQ for current, prospective students and alumni in repayment, that can be found here.

MFT@Northwestern awards a limited number of scholarships and partner organization benefits to applicants. Be sure to connect with an enrollment specialist by calling 1-847-305-2716 or mftadmissions@counseling.northwestern.edu if you would like to be considered for one of these institutionally funded scholarship opportunities.

Starting July 1, 2026, Grad PLUS Loans will no longer be offered for new borrowers and borrowing limits will be introduced for new loans, meaning federal loans may no longer cover the full cost of attendance for many graduate students. If you’re planning to begin a graduate degree program in fall 2026 or later, start planning now (ideally before you apply) to find alternative funding options. This change will affect people seeking federal financial aid for the online Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy Program at Northwestern University; primarily, those who enroll on or after July 1, 2026.

Most graduate students will be limited to borrowing up to $20,500 per year for graduate degrees, including this program. The incoming changes will also limit lifetime loans for graduate degrees to $100,000. If you do not plan to study full time, your loan limit may be lower. Learn more details here.

Early planning is the most important thing you can do. The financial aid office can help you build a plan:

Visit Our Website

Speak with a financial aid advisor

Already enrolled? If your federal loans were disbursed before July 1, 2026, you may be able to continue borrowing under prior rules, including Grad PLUS, with limitations. Taking a leave of absence, withdrawing, transferring, or changing programs/institutions after June 30, 2026 could affect your eligibility. Contact the financial aid office before making any enrollment changes.

MFT@Northwestern students are required to attend one in-person immersion during their time in the program. The immersion is held in Evanston, Illinois, and is required in order to complete the program. There are some additional out-of-pocket costs not covered by financial aid associated with the immersion, including travel to Evanston.