Payment Policy

New and Returning SCS Students

All Students must pay a minimum of 60 percent of the total tuition and 100 percent of all applicable fees upon registration. Any remaining balance is billed within 30 days. 

University Employees

Students who are Northwestern University employees must pay 15 percent of the total tuition and all fees upon registration.

Employer Reimbursement Plan

Northwestern University’s employer reimbursement plan is designed for students whose employers offer reimbursement for tuition charges. It allows participants to defer their tuition payments to Northwestern until after the term has been completed. There are no finance or interest charges; the only cost is a nonrefundable application fee. Participation in the plan is open to SCS students. Eligibility is contingent upon official notification from the student’s employer verifying that the student is eligible for tuition reimbursement. For detailed information about ERP and to download an application form, visit: http://www.northwestern.edu/sfs/documents/publications_and_forms/ERP.pdf (PDF Format). The employer completes a portion of the application, which is submitted to the Office of Student Accounts. You must also submit a nonrefundable application fee of $125 that covers the entire academic year (excluding Summer Session). Students who wish to apply for one term only may do so for a nonrefundable fee of $50. For more information, contact the Student Accounts Office at studentaccounts-chicago@northwestern.edu or 312-503-8503.

Audit/Credit

Students who change their status from audit to credit must pay the additional tuition at the time of the registration change. The auditor's fee of $630 is charged if a change is made from credit to audit, and the Office of Student Accounts makes appropriate changes to tuition charges. If you have any questions, contact the Office of Student Accounts at 312-503-8503.

How to Pay

Students may pay by check, money order, or credit card using MasterCard, Visa, or American Express. Checks and money orders should be made payable to Northwestern University, and students should include their student ID number.

Current and returning SCS students may use CAESAR's QuikPAY™ to pay tuition and fees online. Students who have logged in with an active NetID can access QuickPAY by clicking the “For Students,” then “Financial Services,” and then “View e-Bill & Payment” navigation buttons.

Credit Card Payments

New students can make credit card payments by mail, fax, or in person at either the Chicago or Evanston SCS office. Please include the following information:

• Credit card number and expiration date
• Total dollar amount to be charged
• Daytime phone number
• Signature

Please note that declined credit card payments are assessed a $25 administrative fee.

Current and returning students may make credit card payments only by using CAESAR's QuickPAY™ system. 60 percent of tuition is due upon registration.The balance may be paid online with a credit card or by mail or in-person with a check or money order.

Student Accounts

Each student has an account and receives a bill for tuition and fees. Online transactions completed that day are reflected on the account the same day. Payments made to the Bursar's Office are added to the student account the following day. To view your student account online, visit www.northwestern.edu/caesar.

E-mail Account Policy

E-mail is Northwestern University's official means of communication with all students. Students are responsible for all information sent to their official e-mail accounts. A student's e-mail account is valid when that student is actively enrolled at SCS.