Northeastern University President Joseph E. Aoun unveiled a first-of-its-kind program for parents and siblings of undergraduate students on Saturday during the university’s Parent and Family Weekend.

The Lifetime Learning Membership will enable parents and siblings of Northeastern undergraduates to pursue part-time or full-time graduate degree programs with a 25-percent discount. The scholarship includes more than 100 programs offered online, on campus or through hybrid delivery across Northeastern’s global network of campuses.

“Learning is a lifelong endeavor,” Aoun said. “We are happy to provide opportunities for families so they can explore new knowledge regardless of where they are in their careers. This program will benefit countless families in advancing their education.”

Similar to the popular Double Husky scholarship, which provides a tuition benefit for Northeastern alumni who pursue graduate education at the university, the Lifetime Learning Membership includes many popular graduate certificate and master’s degree programs. The programs range in focus from business and entrepreneurship, to urban and regional policy, to nursing and health.

“Northeastern’s global network and breadth of experiential offerings are unrivaled resources that are now available to help families of our students achieve their own educational and personal goals,” said Philomena Mantella, senior vice president and CEO of the Global Network.

Learning is a lifelong endeavor. We are happy to provide opportunities for families so they can explore new knowledge regardless of where they are in their careers. This program will benefit countless families in advancing their education.
—President Joseph E. Aoun

Today, an increasing number of jobs require education beyond the traditional bachelor’s degree. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the number of jobs requiring a master’s degree will increase 18 percent by 2022, outpacing any other education level. This new program will make it easier for Northeastern family members to pursue graduate studies, unlocking new opportunities and helping them remain competitive in their careers.

Parents and siblings can begin enrolling in graduate-degree programs as part of the Lifetime Learning Membership in the spring 2016 semester. Prospective graduate students must enroll while the undergraduate in their family is still a full-time student at Northeastern, but the discount is valid for the entirety of their graduate program.