Financial Aid Office

North Central College administers federal and private sources of financial aid to graduate students. The most common source of assistance is the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan. Graduate students are eligible for up to $20,500 annually (split between summer, fall, and spring). In order to receive federal loans, students must complete the FAFSA. In addition to the unsubsidized loan, students may also apply for a credit-based Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan if needed. Students may also consider Private Education Loans as a source of educational funding. Students can use our search tool, ELMSelect, to apply for private loans.

Because the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans and the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans often have lower interest rates and origination fees, the Financial Aid Office recommends maximizing your federal loan eligibility prior to considering a private loan. If you are considering using private loans as an alternative to federal loans, we encourage you to closely compare the interest rate, origination fee, and terms and conditions of the private versus federal loans to ensure you are using the least expensive loan product.

We encourage students to monitor their federal and private loan interest rates annually as they are subject to change. Student can view their federal loan history through their StudentAid account. 

Email the Office of Financial Aid or call 630-637-5600 with any questions.

Eligibility

Private lenders each have their own eligibility requirements, which can vary from lender to lender. Closely review their requirements to see if you qualify to receive their loan. All students seeking federal financial aid must meet general eligibility requirements, including:

  • Be a U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen
  • Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress
  • Be degree-seeking in a federal financial aid eligible program at North Central College (not a student-at-large or a degree seeking student at another institution)
  • Enrolled at least half time (3 credit hours) 

2023-24 Cost of Attendance

When considering the financial cost of attending college, one number doesn't tell the whole story. Cost of Attendance (CoA) provides a more complete picture of total direct and indirect costs of one academic year at North Central College. Direct costs are expenses that will be included on your semester bill, such as tuition, fees, housing, and food. Indirect costs are expenses that won't show up on your bill but should be considered. Examples of indirect costs include books, classroom supplies, traveling, and personal expenses. Note that CoA is only an estimated number and will change based on your specific lifestyle and living arrangements.

Please note:

  • To determine tuition cost, you will multiply the per-credit rate for your program by the number of enrolled credits for each enrolled term.
  • Each student will be charged a $50 Wellness Fee each enrolled fall and spring.
  • Please see the chart below of program-specific program fees.
Cost of Attendance Summer Semster Fall Semester Spring Semester Academic Year
Tuition (use chart below) (use chart below) (use chart below) (use chart below)
Wellness Fee $50 $50 $100
Program Fee (use chart below) (use chart below) (use chart below) (use chart below)
Housing and Food 4466 4466 4466 13398
Books and Supplies 300 300 300 900
Personal 2268 2268 2268 6804
Transportation 1652 1652 1652 4956
Student Loan Fees 108 108 108 324
Academic Program Tuition Rate Per Credit
Bridge Master of Occupational Therapy $923
Certificate in Creative Writing $789
Certificate in Trauma Informed Educational Practices for Children and Adolescents $598
Director of Special Education $598
Doctor of Physical Therapy (2023-2025 Cohort) $875
Doctor of Physical Therapy (2024-2026 Cohort) $910
Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership $789
Master of Arts in Liberal Studies $789
Master of Arts in Professional and Creative Writing $789
Master of Arts in Sports Leadership $789
Master of Arts in Trauma-Informed Practice $589
Master of Arts Organizational Leadership $789
Master of Athletic Training $600
Master of Business Administration $879
Master of Education in Educational Leadership $598
Master of Financial Management $879
Master of Human Resource Management $879
Master of Nursing $777
Master of Occupational Therapy (2021-2023 Cohort) $870
Master of Occupational Therapy (2022-2024 Cohort) $900
Master of Occupational Therapy (2023-2025 Cohort) $932
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (2022-2024 Cohort) $891
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (2023-2025 Cohort) $927
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (2024-2026 Cohort) $964
Occupational Therapy Doctorate $875
Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate $700
Academic Program Program Fee Fee Frequency
All Occupational Therapy Programs (Masters and Doctorate) $130 Per Fall Semester
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (2022 -2024 Cohort) $425 Per Spring
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (2023 -2025 Cohort) $1,200 Per Spring
Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (2024 -2026 Cohort) $875 Per Spring
Doctor of Physical Therapy (2024-2026 Cohort) $2,100 First Spring Term
Master of Nursing $525 Per Fall

Scholarships and Tuition Discounts

Only one North Central College tuition discount can be applied annually.

Alumni Admission Graduate Student Scholarship Program

The Alumni Admission Graduate scholarship is available to new graduate students recommended by an alumnus/alumna of a North Central graduate program. Full-time students are awarded $1000 annually, and part-time students are awarded $500 annually in the 100% online non-health graduate programs. 

Alumni at lunch tent during homecoming

North Central Alumni Tuition Discount

Come back home to North Central and save up to $3000! As a North Central alumni, you can take 20% off your graduate tuition per semester. Graduate health profession programs are not eligible.

Graduate Assistantships

Each year, North Central College offers a variety of Graduate Assistant (GA) positions.  Positions vary from student affairs to marketing to coaching. The GA program is designed to provide professional experiences that complement your studies and enhance your career opportunities.

Group of Graduate Assistants

Education Alliance Grant

North Central College has partnerships with local businesses and school districts to offer the Education Alliance Grant. Eligible employees with a bachelor's degree will receive a 20% tuition discount on the 100% online non-health graduate programs. 

icon of a check

20% Nonprofit Tuition Discount for Select Degrees

If you are an employee from a 501(c) nonprofit organization, you can take advantage of a 20% tuition discount in the 100% online non-health graduate programs. Submit a letter from your employer verifying your employment when you apply.

20% Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce Tuition Discount

We want to give back to our Naperville community, which has been our home for many years. So we've partnered with the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce (NACC) to provide a more accessible and affordable pathway to earn your master's degree.

  •  NACC members and employees from affiliated companies will receive 20% off tuition on the 100% online non-health graduate programs.
Naperville area chamber of commerce discount

Tuition Payments

Although the financial aid offer will help eligible students with a portion of the costs, you may have a remaining balance not covered by financial aid. Some options for covering the remaining balance include a payment plan or private student loans.  Contact the Financial Aid Office at 630-637-5600 with questions about loans, or contact Student Accounts with any questions about your bill at 630-637-5689.