CivicWeek

CivicWeek welcomes applications from Pre-qualified applicants as well as New Scores and Portfolio applicants. Before beginning the online application, determine which type of applicant you are based on the descriptions below.

Pre-qualified Review Applicant
You are a pre-qualified review applicant if you are grades 7 through 12 and you meet both of the following criteria: 

• You have successfully completed a CTD course through the Weekend Enrichment Program, Summer Program or Online Program at the Emerald Tier, or a tier with a higher score requirement, within the previous twenty-four months. 
• You are applying for a course with the same qualifying subject area (Verbal for CEP courses) of a CTD course you previously completed.

New Scores Applicant

You are a new scores applicant if you are in grades 7 through 12 and you meet one of the following criteria:

• You have not attended any CTD program for the past two years and you have qualifying grade-level test scores (Verbal for CEP courses) for your desired course that are no more than two years old.
• You have previously attended a course with the Weekend Enrichment Program, Summer Program, or CTD Online Program, but you are now applying for a course with a different qualifying subject area (Verbal) and you have qualifying grade-level test scores. 
• You have participated in above grade-level testing such as the PSAT™8/9 test taken in grades 5, or 6 or the ACT^® or SAT^® test taken in grades 6, 7, 8, or 9 (Above-Grade-Level Assessment).

New Portfolio Applicant
You are a portfolio applicant if you are in grades 7 through 12 and you do not have qualifying test scores because you have either:

• never taken a nationally normed standardized achievement test, OR
• taken this type of test but not achieved a qualifying score.

 An Admission Portfolio includes the following documents:

• Required: one teacher recommendation form (available once you have submitted your application) indicating that the student is performing 1½ to 2 years above grade level in the subject area of the course to which the student is applying; 
• Required: most recent school report card indicating exceptional performance in the subject area of the course to which the student is applying;
• If available: most recent standardized testing report (e.g. NWEA/MAP) or results of a state grade-level assessment.

Accepted Students

Accepted students will receive admissions materials via email one to three weeks after their application is complete.  Enrollment information will include housing and travel details, a packing list, required health information, as well as program rules and policies.

To qualify for Emerald tier Civic Education Project (CEP) courses, students must be in grade 7 through grade 12 and must also provide one of the following:

• Achievement of a score of 90^th percentile or higher on a nationally normed grade-level assessment in the required verbal/reading qualifying subject area; OR
• Successful completion of a CTD course, with a verbal/reading qualifying subject area within the past two years; OR
• Submission of a portfolio application, consisting of a teacher recommendation and the student’s most recent report card, demonstrating that the student is performing well in language arts or humanities.

School Break Dates and Availability

While CivicWeek programs often coincide with students' school breaks, some school schedules may not coincide, or student may simply have an interest in a topic or location not offered during the school break. Because CivicWeek is an educational program, many schools will excuse students from class in order to participate.  This is a decision families should make in partnership with teachers and school administrators.

Tuition

Tuition includes all program expenses:

• Lodging and meals throughout the program
• Transportation to and from program activities
• Service project materials and speaker fees
• Staff instruction and 24-hour supervision, with a staff to student ratio of at least 1:6
• Recreational expenses

Note: Students are responsible for their own travel to and from the program site. CivicWeek offers a shuttle service to the site from the nearest major airport to students traveling unaccompanied for a small fee.

Payment Policies

• Applications received by January 15 (for spring programs) and May 14 (for summer programs) are subject to the early bird tuition rate; applications received after these dates are subject to the regular tuition rate.
• All applications must be accompanied by a tuition deposit of $260. Financial aid applicants may pay a reduced tuition deposit of $60.
• The tuition balance is due within 30 days of admission to the program, and no later than the regular application deadline of March 1 (for spring programs) and June 15 (for summer programs). Students with an outstanding balance at these deadlines may lose their place in the program.
• Applications received after (March 1 for spring programs and June 8 for summer programs) must be accompanied by payment in full.
• Payments may be made by credit card via the student's MyCTD account or by check or money order made payable to Center for Talent Development.

Financial Aid

CTD offers need-based financial aid awarded as requests are received. Families are encouraged to apply early because the amount of aid available is limited. Please see the Financial Aid page for details. 

• The deadline to apply for financial aid for Spring CivicWeek is February 14. The deadline to apply for financial aid for Summer CivicWeek is April 9. However, funds are limited and historically our financial aid has been fully dispersed before the deadline date.
• You will receive the FACTS application link in your application confirmation email once the $60 dollar tuition deposit is paid and the application is submitted.
• It is imperative that you complete the financial aid application as soon as possible as it may take FACTS up to ten days to process your information.
• If you previously completed a FACTS application for the 2019-2020 academic year for CTD, you must still attach the 2020-2021 FACTS application to your FACTS account. You will be able to link your FACTS account to this new FACTS information. You may need to update financial information.

• If you experience difficulties with the FACTS process please call the FACTS helpline at 866/412-4637.

Payment Plan

A four-month payment plan option is available to all families. The payment plan application is available upon enrollment and acceptance to the program.

Families who do not apply or qualify for financial aid are assessed a service charge of $50 for the payment plan. The first payment is due upon acceptance to the program, and subsequent payments are due on the 15th of each month following. Payments must be up to date on opening day in order for students to check in to the program.

Other Sources of Support

We strongly suggest that families with financial need also seek outside support. Accepted students should start soliciting additional funds right away. Schools, local religious or community organizations, businesses, local government offices, friends, and relatives are all potential sources of support. Some students have successfully raised their entire tuition this way!

Withdrawals

Please see our withdrawal information for policies.

CivicWeek students learn through hands-on experiences, dialogue and debate with peers, staff, and community leaders as they discover ways to create positive change.

CivicWeek Curriculum Components

Meetings with Community Partners
Learn from inspiring partners about their work, career path, and ideas about innovative approaches for meaningful change.

Reflection
Process the day’s events through guided questions and activities that broaden your perspective and build critical thinking skills.

Service Projects
Partner with a local non-profit or community organization. Get an orientation to their mission, and support their cause with hands-on projects or tasks while earning service hours.

Speakers
Meet with government, business, and nonprofit leaders at the top of their fields to hear their experiences and path to making change.

Teambuilding
Build communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills with classmates through instructor-led activities.

View curriculum framework and sample schedules.

Student safety is paramount at all times during the program. We take careful steps to ensure the well-being of our students on and off campus, including:

• Hiring Experienced Staff Members
• Working with Established and Well-Respected Host Agencies
• Providing Careful Supervision
• Requiring a High Standard of Student Conduct
• Safeguarding Student Health
• Ensuring Emergency Preparedness

Read more about Safety and Conduct here.

Evaluations

All students receive a detailed evaluation after completion of the program. The evaluation provides feedback on the student’s achievements during the course and outlines areas for further growth. Evaluations are sent via e-mail and able to be accessed via MyCTD.

Service Hours

Student evaluations include certification of service hours earned. Learn more about service hours awarded by CEP programs.

CEP is happy to complete any forms required for students to show proof of completed service hours; contact our office for assistance. 

• For questions regarding CEP Program admissions and financial aid, please contact:
  ctd-admissions@northwestern.edu
   
• For questions about current CEP Program enrollments, please contact:
  cep@northwestern.edu
   
• For questions about school partnerships with CEP Programs, please contact:
  ctd-school-services@northwestern.edu