MSES - Financial Aid
The Master of Science in Energy and Sustainability (MSES) program connects students with three primary forms of financial aid: 1) Merit-based aid, 2) outside funding, and 3) student loans. Beyond financial aid, students may consider employment and fellowship opportunities to fund their studies.
Merit-Based Aid
All admitted students who ask to be considered for aid in the application are automatically evaluated for limited funding through one or both of the MSES merit-based aid programs - the MSES Scholars Fund and the MSES International Scholars Fund. MSES assigns priority to earlier round applicants; as funds are dispersed on a first-come, first-served basis, available funding may be expended before admission offers for later round applicants. Northwestern does not provide additional direct scholarship/need-based aid at the graduate level.
Outside Funding
Additionally, students often choose to pursue outside funding in the form of fellowships, scholarships, and grants. As these programs are run by third-party organizations, and may target different applicant qualifications, the MSES program cannot assist an applicant beyond making them aware of potential programs/sources. The list below is non-exhaustive and we encourage potential applicants to do additional research on programs, deadlines, etc.
Student Loans
Most graduate Master students fund some portion of their studies with student loans. The Evanston Office of Graduate Financial Aid serves as a dedicated resource to help both domestic and international students navigate their options for student loans.
Employment and Fellowships
A limited number of graduate student employment opportunities may allow students to work in exchange for housing and compensation. MSES also administers a competitive Sustainability Fellowship (open to all Northwestern students) during the year that provides a tuition stipend. Finally, a number of MSES students may take on external paid, part-time internships during their degree, both to help fund their studies, and get direct experience within the industry.
More details about each of these funding options are outlined below. If you are an admitted MSES student considering aid offers from other institutions, we encourage you to speak directly with program staff at mses@northwestern to understand direct program-to-program comparisons.
Financial Support for MSES Students
MSES Scholars Fund ($2,000-$5,000)
MSES is committed to developing the next generation of energy and sustainability leaders. In order to recruit and retain top graduate student talent for the program, the MSES Scholars Fund provides limited grants to a number of students each year. These merit-based awards are allocated during the application review process; there is no additional process or documentation required for consideration.* Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply during Round 1 in order to be given scholarship priority. Grants from this fund range from roughly $2,000 to $5,000. *Applicants who say they do not want to be considered for aid when filling out their application will NOT be considered for any merit-based aid.
MSES International Scholars Fund ($2,000-$20,000)
The MSES International Scholars Fund exists to lessen the economic burden for exceptional students from lower income countries. To be eligible for a grant from this fund students must (1) be from a country with a GDP (PPP) of $12,600 per capita* or less according to the International Monetary Fund’s World Economic Outlook Database, and (2) declare that they have financial need. Students who meet this eligibility will then be evaluated based on their merit, including their academic and professional background and fit with the program. Again, no additional application, beyond the application to the program*, is needed and all candidates who meet these criteria will automatically be considered. Grants from this fund range from roughly $2,000 to $20,000, with only 1-2 students receiving grants on the larger end of this spectrum each year. *Applicants who say they do not want to be considered for aid when filling out their application will NOT be considered for any merit-based aid.
Fellowships
Northwestern’s Office of Fellowships provides an extensive Fellowship Finder database, detailing funding opportunities commonly awarded to Northwestern students. Additionally, MSES has identified a series of relevant fellowships for special consideration:
Fellowship Name |
Affiliate Group |
Description |
Amount |
Month of Application Due Date |
|
Immigrants; children of immigrants |
To be eligible, you must be a New American who is 30 or younger as of the application deadline, and who is planning on starting or continuing an eligible graduate degree program full-time in the United States. |
Up to $90,000 |
April |
|
|
Northwestern alumni |
The Alumnae of Northwestern University offers this Fellowship to full-time graduate students who show promise of achieving distinction in their chosen field and who will bring credit to the University. |
Up to $20,000 |
April |
|
|
International Fellowships, American Association of University Women |
Women |
Awarded for full-time study or research in the United States to women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. |
$18,000 |
November |
|
Selected Professions Fellowship, American Association of University Women |
Women |
Awarded to women who intend to pursue a full-time course of study at accredited U.S. institutions during the fellowship year in one of the designated degree programs where women’s participation traditionally has been low. |
$5,000 to $18,000 |
December |
|
Women |
WiNUP currently has three fellowships available annually to females pursuing advanced degrees (beyond a bachelor's degree), which will lead to careers in the utility industry or allied fields. |
$500 to $2,000 |
May |
Scholarships & Grants
MSES has identified a series of relevant scholarships & grants for consideration:
Scholarship Name |
Affiliate Group |
Description |
Reward Amount |
Month of Application Due Date |
|
African American |
Offer need-based and merit scholarships to outstanding Black students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees; must demonstrate interest in their relevant field of study and have a 3.0 GPA or greater. |
Varies |
N/A |
|
|
African American |
UNCF is the nation’s largest private scholarship provider to minority group members. |
Varies |
Varies |
|
|
Any |
Willing to take at least three of the power engineering courses for a total of nine or more credits. |
Up to $7,000 |
June |
|
|
Any |
A program to assist graduate students who are passionate about engineering, environmental sciences, or related fields, are dedicated to giving back to their communities, and who have a demonstrated financial need. |
$1,000 to $10,000 |
November |
|
|
Any |
A collection of scholarships supporting promising students pursuing advanced training and research in the field of water supply and treatment. |
$100 to $5,000 |
December |
|
|
Any |
Danish scholarship dedicated to covering tuition for students pursuing a master’s degree with the goal of making the world a more sustainable place. |
Up to $5,000 |
September |
|
|
Any |
To help keep up with demand and assist the next generation of professionals, Porch offers a $2,000 scholarship to students in pursuit of a degree that enables the development of technical skills related to home services offered by Porch (e.g., utilities). |
$2,000 |
March |
|
|
Any |
Collection of scholarships for full-time master’s students with a demonstrated interest in solid waste management research and/or education (PDF). |
$7,500 |
Varies |
|
|
Any student attending university in the Greater Chicago Area |
The purpose of our scholarship is to support students who are investing their future in the protection of the environment. |
$1500 |
October |
|
|
Asian Americans |
Provides financial assistance and promotion of Asian American college seniors and graduate students who have exhibited exemplary leadership, vision, and passion that is blazing a trail for others to follow in the Asian American community. |
$1,500 |
May |
|
|
Citizen of American Indian Tribe or Alaska Native Village or Native Hawaiian descent or Indigenous group of Canada, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander |
Granted to students pursuing STEM degrees with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, and who are current AISES members at the time of application. |
$2,000 |
May |
|
|
Citizen of American Indian Tribe or Alaska Native Village or Native Hawaiian descent or Indigenous group of Canada, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander |
Granted to students pursuing STEM degrees with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, and who are current AISES members at the time of application. |
$5,000 |
May |
|
|
Citizen of American Indian Tribe or Alaska Native Village or Native Hawaiian descent or Indigenous group of Canada, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander |
Granted to students pursuing STEM degrees with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, and who are current AISES members at the time of application. |
$10,000 |
May |
|
|
Hispanic heritage |
Merit-based scholarship fund which also provides scholars with access to HSF corporate partnership and career services. |
$500 to $5,000 |
March |
|
|
Hispanic, Latin American/Caribbean, Mexican, Nicaraguan heritage |
Must be a graduate student or a postgraduate student; provided over $22K in grants in 2021. |
$500 to $2,000 |
October |
|
|
Hispanic/Latino heritage |
Porspanica, The Association of Hispanic MBA’s & Business Professionals, offers this scholarship to high-achieving students intending to meaningfully contribute to society and who have an active Prospanica membership. |
Up to $5,000 |
April |
|
|
Hispanic/Latino heritage |
Scholarship program that works to allow students of Hispanic/Latino heritage to better access higher education. |
Varies |
April |
|
|
International students from developing countries |
The scholarship program fosters the next generation of energy, climate, and electricity sector specialists who will be prepared to tackle the challenges of the future. |
Up to $10,000 |
April |
|
|
Korean American; foreign students from Korea |
KASF is a non-profit, volunteer-managed organization established to help meet the financial needs of Korean-American students seeking higher education. |
$500 to $5,000 |
June |
|
|
National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals |
LGBTQ+ and active allies |
A collection of scholarships intended for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in STEM programs who identify as LGBTQ+ or as active allies of the LGBTQ+ community. |
Varies |
June |
|
LGBTQ+, including undocumented and international students |
Must be “out” as a person who identifies as a member of the LGBTQ community; has a proven track record of leadership, community involvement, and strong academic achievement; works for the betterment of the LGBTQ community; demonstrated financial need. |
$10,000 |
January |
|
|
Native American students, citizens/members of their Tribal Nation |
Collection of scholarships for tribal members pursuing degrees relating to natural resources; merit & need-based. |
$2,500 |
March |
|
|
Native American students; citizens of a Tribal Nation |
The Association's Scholarships are provided to students twice per year until they graduate, as long as they maintain a 2.5 GPA and attend full-time. |
Varies |
May |
|
|
American Association of University of Women – Career Development Grant |
Women |
Career Development Grants provide funding to women who hold a bachelor’s degree and are preparing to advance or change careers or reenter the workforce. Primary consideration is given to women of color and women pursuing their first advanced degree or credentials in nontraditional fields. |
$2,000 to $12,000 |
November |
Graduate Student Employment
Although the MSES program does not offer TA/research assistantships at this time, students can apply for several graduate assistant roles. Students can apply for a Graduate Resident Assistant (GRA) role, granting students free housing and monthly compensation in exchange for 20 hours of work per week. A complete list of graduate assistantships can be found here.
Additional Resources
Additional Resources |
Affiliate Group |
Description |
|
Any |
Database of general graduate student funding opportunities. |
|
|
Any |
Search engine and database of funding opportunities for graduate students; hosted by UCLA. |
|
|
Illinois Database of Grants & Fellowships for Graduate Students |
Any |
Search engine and database of funding opportunities for graduate students; hosted by University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. |
|
LGBTQ and active allies |
The database of scholarships, fellowships and grants for LGBTQ and allied students at both the undergraduate and graduate-level. |
|
|
Tribal affiliation |
American Indian Graduate Center offers more than 20 scholarships and fellowships that fund undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. |
|
|
Northwestern Office of Student Enrichment Services (SES) & Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) |
Undocumented / DACA |
Information regarding financial assistance for DACA renewal fees, legal support, and other resources for undocumented students. |
Federal Loans
When considering loans, students are encouraged to consider this option first, as federal loans typically offer advantages that are not available with other loan types (e.g., relatively low interest rates, a repayment grace period, no credit history needed). Students may apply for funding up to the estimated cost of attendance with available federal loan programs.
To be eligible for federal loan assistance, a student must satisfy all of the following criteria:
- Matriculated
- Citizen or Permanent Resident of the United States
- Enrolled at least half-time (2 credits per quarter) during the entire loan period
- In good standing on prior federal loans - check the status of your prior federal loans on the National Student Loan Data System
- Borrowing funds for a current loan period - federal loans cannot be processed for a past loan period
In order to apply for federal loan assistance, eligible students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), use school code 001739 to send their results to Northwestern University, and work with the Evanston Office of Graduate Financial Aid to evaluate their options. Students using financial aid to fund their graduate degree must comply with the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy to maintain eligibility.
Northwestern University Loan (NU Loan)
The Northwestern University Loan (NU Loan) is offered by the university in financial aid packages for U.S. and international students as well as for the parents of undergraduate students. Students are encouraged to consider their federal aid eligibility before applying for the NU Loan.
Private Loans
Private loans may require credit-worthiness, co-signers or require payments while in school. Unlike federal loans, interest rates are not fixed and the terms of private loans are set by the individual lenders.
The MSES program will waive the application fee for active duty military service members and veterans. Applicant should email mses@northwestern.edu to have this waiver applied. Once enrolled, service members and veterans in approved programs at Northwestern University may use any VA educational benefit toward the cost of their program. An overview of applicable VA benefits can be found here. Additional information on U.S. government support for military can be found here.