If you're a qualified undergraduate, you may land a graduate assistantship at Northern. Northern awards these opportunities for part-time teaching or non-teaching duties during the academic year. Graduate assistants are chosen according to GPA or GRE scores. As a graduate assistant, you'll receive a stipend plus two-thirds remission of tuition - which includes waiver of non-resident tuition - effective throughout that academic year, including summer enrollment.
Your assignment will be related to your field of study; and your workload, about 20 hours per week. You won't be able to hold other employment, such as work study, student labor, etc., in the same department. Graduate assistants must limit their course load to at least 6 hours per semester, but not more than 12 hours per semester. If you resign your assistantship position, but continue classes, you'll have to pay the remaining two-thirds tuition previously waived.
Application forms for graduate assistantships are available at the Office of Graduate Studies or at this link:
While the priority application deadline is March 1, applications are taken until all positions are filled.
A limited number of
residence hall assistantships is available. They include a furnished apartment, board and a stipend. If you're interested in a residence hall assistantship, contact the
Office of Student Affairs.
Perkins Loans, Federal Stafford Loans, Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans and Federal Work-Study are available for qualified graduate students. Graduate assistants won't be eligible for work study employment in addition to their GA position - an additional 10-20 hours of work per week will leave little time remaining for GA responsibilities, class schedules, and studying.
Detailed information regarding financial aid programs, application procedures, and selection criteria is found in the Student Financial Aid booklet. For a copy or other related information or applications, visit
Financial Aid. You must be accepted for admission and enrolled in a graduate degree program to qualify for federal financial assistance.