Co-op Programs
The Cooperative Engineering Education Program (Co-op) allows students to complete their academic work at Northwestern in addition to receiving industry experience in five years. While a co-op student's financial aid eligibility is determined in the same manner as it is for all other students, the actual financial aid is applied differently.
Aid During Co-op
Co-op students cannot receive for financial assistance for the quarters they are participating in co-op. While they are considered enrolled students, they are not eligible for aid since the courseload is “zero” units and a tuition charge is not assessed.
Scholarship Eligibility
Co-op students are still eligible to receive Northwestern scholarship aid during their academic enrollment. The main difference is that a co-op student’s eligibility will be divided over 5 years under the Traditional Northwestern University Co-op Schedule, rather than 4 years for traditional students.
Students who are recipients of outside scholarships will need to check with their scholarship donor for eligibility during their co-op quarter. (National Merit recipients will not be eligible to keep the portion of this scholarship for the quarter they are on co-op.)
Expected Earnings Contribution
Co-op students are expected to contribute a portion of their co-op earnings towards their educational expenses. Therefore, the normal summer savings expectation is waived and replaced by a portion of the co-op earnings expectation. An average co-op earnings expectation is determined annually and is considered part of the student’s total self-help (loans and work).
Co-op Remission Grant
The tuition increase for the fifth year of enrollment may be offset by the Co-op Remission Grant, as administered by the co-op office. The purpose of this grant is not intended as additional assistance, but rather to assess the student at the tuition rate consistent with their fourth year.
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