Tuition & Fees

Center for Talent Development (CTD) tuition and fees vary by the type and length of the program.

View tuition and fees for CTD’s assessment, weekend, online, hybrid, summer, and service-learning programs:

Talent Search Assessment

The total cost for a student to participate in Northwestern University’s Midwest Academic Talent Search (NUMATS) consistes of two fees paid during a one-step* registration process: the test fee and the NUMATS fee. The test fee payment is sent by NUMATS to the appropriate testing agency. The NUMATS fee covers registration processing and access to CTD's online MyCTD Toolbox, which provides a variety of resources including follow-up materials that help you interpret your child’s test scores, as well as access to CTD Backpack, our interactive online community for gifted students and their families.

*Students in grade 9 registering for SAT must do so in a two-step process. After completing and paying for the NUMATS portion of your registration, you will receive an e-mail with additional instructions for registering for the test directly with SAT. 

2019-2020 Fees:

Visit the Talent Search Assessment page for registration deadlines and test dates.

Payment Policies

• Fees are not refundable and may not be transferred to a future academic year.
• A late fee of $30 for ACT is assessed during late registration periods.
• There is a $30 charge for returned checks.

Weekend Programs

2019-2020 Tuition:

Payment Policies

• Full payment is required with the application.
• Some WEP classes have additional lab, materials or textbook fees—see course descriptions for details.

Weekend Program Discounts

Students applying for both WEP and AWE will receive a $60 discount. If applying for both a morning and afternoon WEP session, you will receive a $60 discount, but two applications must be completed.

Online Program

2019-2020  Tuition & Fees: 

Payment Policies

• Full payment, plus a late fee if required, is due with the application.
• Family, Enrichment, Core Essentials and ASO applications that are received after the session’s application deadline will be assessed a $25 late fee. Honors/Honors Elective/AP® course applications submitted after the session’s application deadline will be processed for enrollment the following month.
• Textbooks, lab equipment and fees, computer programs and hardware for online courses must be purchased separately by students. Textbook requirements can be verified in the CTD online bookstore at http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/ctd.htm.

Online Program Discounts

Center for Talent Development offers a discounted tuition for school districts and homeschool groups that sign up five or more students for courses with the same start date. See Gifted LearningLinks for Schools for details.

Hybrid Courses

2019-2020  Tuition & Fees:

Tuition for hybrid courses (online courses with an in-person component) varies by course. Please see the the individual course descriptions for tuition information.

Payment Policies

• Full payment, plus a late fee if required, is due with the application.
• Applications that are received after the application deadline will be assessed a late fee.

Summer Program

2019 Tuition & Fees:

Leapfrog (Half-day courses, 1-week program):

Leapfrog - Spark (All-day courses, 1-week programs):

Leapfrog - Spark Payment Policies

• Unlike the other CTD Summer Programs, Leapfrog-Spark tuition rates will not change after May 14.
• Online application requires credit card payment. Contact the Admissions office if you are unable to pay via credit card.
• Unless applying for financial aid, Leapfrog-Spark applications must include payment for the total tuition.
• Students applying for Financial Aid may apply with a $60 deposit. The Financial Aid (FACTS) application must be completed in a timely manner, otherwise the full deposit will become due to maintain the student's seat if enrolled.
• Fees include tuition and basic materials. A few courses require an additional lab or materials fee.

Solstice (2-week program):

Spectrum & Equinox (3-week programs):

Equinox: SustainableXDesign & iOT Engineering

Equinox 5-week AP® Chemistry

Equinox 4-week Venture Innovation Lab with LaunchX (residential only)

Tuition for this course runs T.B.D. regardless of application date.

Solstice, Spectrum & Equinox Payment Policies

• Residential fees cover tuition, room and board, books, basic materials, weekend activity costs, and health center fees.
• Commuter fees include tuition, books, basic materials, and lunch.
• Selected courses carry a lab or materials fee; see course descriptions for fee details.
• Applications must be accompanied by a $500 tuition deposit. Payment in full must accompany each application submitted after June 14, 2019.
• Students applying for Financial Aid may apply with a $60 deposit. The financial aid (FACTS) application must be completed in a timely manner, otherwise the full deposit will become due to maintain the student's seat if enrolled.
• Students applying for more than one session must pay tuition deposits for each session.
• A five-month payment plan is available for students in Solstice, Spectrum, Equinox, and CLI.
• Tuition balances must be paid by check, money order, or credit card within 30 days of acceptance in the program. For students who receive their program acceptance after June 14, 2019, the final payment is due upon notification of acceptance. Students with an outstanding balance after June 11, 2018 may lose their place in the program.
• Unless a payment plan has been approved, accounts must be paid in full by Opening Day or students will not be allowed to check in and attend class.

Service-Learning Programs

Civic Education Hybrid 2020 Tuition & Fees:

Tuition includes the following program expenses:  

Note: Students are responsible for their own travel to and from the program site for the face-to-face session.

CivicWeek 2019 Tuition & Fees:

Tuition includes all program expenses: