Scholarships & Grants

The following scholarships and/or grants are common components of a financial aid package, and they are given to students who demonstrate need.

Federal Pell Grant

Summary: Pell Grants are the foundation of federal student financial aid and is the largest federal grant program. These grants are generally awarded to degree-seeking undergraduate students who have not yet earned a bachelor's or graduate degree.  The Federal Pell Grant is a federally funded program designed to assist students from low income families.
Eligibility: Awards are based on: (1) financial information submitted on the FAFSA, (2) cost of attendance, (3) whether the student will be full or part-time, (4) how many quarters the student will be enrolled during the academic year.
Award range: $555 - $5550. Eligibility is based upon the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) on the FAFSA which must range between $0 and $5273.

Federal SEOG
(Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant)

Summary: The SEOG supplements financial aid beyond the Federal Pell Grant.
Eligibility: Students who demonstrate high need are considered for this assistance if they are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant.
Award range: $100 - $4000, based on student need and availability of funding.

Illinois MAP
(Monetary Award Program)

Summary: A large state administered grant program for Illinois residents.
Eligibility: Students must be Illinois residents who: (1) are enrolled at least half-time at an approved Illinois postsecondary institution, (2) complete their FAFSA on time (and check the box indicating that the Department of Education should forward their information to the appropriate state agency), (3) demonstrate financial need, (4) meet other ISAC criteria.
Award range: Maximum of $4968.

Northwestern University Scholarship

Summary: Northwestern scholarships are awards that need not be repaid. The University awards over $100 million of our own funds to undergraduates each year.  Approximately 45% of undergraduates receive a Northwestern University scholarship.  The NU Scholarship is generally the final component of an aid package, meeting any remaining need after other forms of aid have been applied. 

Eligibility:

NU Appropriated Scholarship: Awards are based on demonstrated institutional financial need and availability of funding at the time the student applies. Recipients come from a wide range of income backgrounds.
NU Endowed Scholarship: Students who are eligible for the NU Scholarship will be considered for a variety of endowed scholarships if they also meet the donors' other selection criteria.
Award range: $250 to over $40,000 annually.
While Northwestern scholarships are determined by more than just income, the chart below illustrates the average Northwestern scholarships awarded to admitted freshmen by family Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).  Keep in mind that this chart reflects Northwestern aid only, and not federal or state grants and outside scholarships, which many of our students receive.  Nearly all of our students from families making less than $30,000, for example, qualify for federal grants (Pell and SEOG) upwards of $10,000.

Average NU Scholarship Awarded to Aid Recipients 2010-11

Please note that these are averages. The Financial Aid Committee must consider all factors beyond the parents' AGI that may impact eligibility. Factors include but are not limited to: number in the household, number in college, assets, home equity, non-custodial data, and business income.

Good Neighbor,Great University Scholarship

Summary: Northwestern University will offer this scholarship to incoming freshmen beginning with the 2011-12 freshmen class who graduate from high schools in Evanston and Chicago, which includes the elimination of loans and work-study jobs by providing additional scholarship funds to recipients.
Eligibility: The new Good Neighbor, Great University Scholarship Program will begin with the 2011-12 freshman class.  The scholarships will replace student loans, as well as earnings from summer and work-study jobs that students normally must contribute to the cost of their education.  Read more about the Good Neighbor/Great University Scholarship Program in Information on the Good Neighbor/Great University Scholarship (pdf).
Award range: Eligibility is based on demonstrated institutional financial need and may range from $1,000 to $12,300.

Founders Scholarship

Summary: Northwestern created the Founders Scholars Program in 2007 to honor the nine individuals who founded the University in 1850.
Eligibility: Awards are offered each year to a select group of incoming students from middle income families. While academic credentials weigh heavily in the selection process, other criteria taken into account include student essays, recommendations, leadership experience and potential, and academic interests. There is no separate application to receive consideration for a Founders Scholarship. Eligibility for renewal beyond the freshmen year requires a cumulative GPA of 3.0 which is reviewed on an annual basis.  Recipients must be enrolled at least half-time to maintain eligibility. (Please note: Any reduction in tuition charges may result in a reduction of scholarship funds.  Please review the Term-Pricing Policy on our Eligibility page.) 
Award range: $13,200 average award. These scholarships are renewable for four years so long as students make satisfactory academic progress.

No-Loan Pledge Scholarship

Summary: Beginning with the 2008-09 academic year, new undergraduate students who demonstrate the greatest institutional need have the opportunity to graduate from Northwestern without having to borrow any need-based loans. Current students are also eligible to receive this scholarship.
Eligibility: Students who demonstrate the greatest institutional need and who are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant are considered for this assistance. Read more about the Pledge Scholarship Program in Information for Pledge Scholarship Recipients (pdf).
Award range: $300 - $9500. The University will replace federal need-based loan eligibility with No-Loan Pledge Scholarship assistance for students who qualify.

Debt Cap Scholarship

Summary: Beginning with the 2008-09 academic year, the University will cap federal need-based loans (Federal Perkins loans and Federal Subsidized Stafford loans) at $20,000 for students receiving Northwestern Scholarship assistance.
Eligibility: Students will be offered the Debt Cap Scholarship based upon institutionally determined financial need. Read more about the Debt Cap Scholarship Program in Debt Cap Scholarship Policies (pdf).
Award range: $300 - $9500. Students will receive additional scholarship assistance to replace approved loans that exceed the cap. These additional funds will most likely be provided at the beginning of the senior year.

Fermi Scholarship

Summary: A competitive annual scholarship available to children of Fermi Lab employees.
Eligibilty: Children of regular, full-time Fermi Lab employees are eligible to apply for the need-based Fermi Scholarship. Preference is given to students who have completed their sophomore year.
Award Range: There will be a total of $25,000 a year in Northwestern scholarship assistance designated for these awards. Five scholarships of $5,000 each will be awarded.
More information and an application for this scholarship can be found in Fermi Scholarship Information.

Argonne Scholarship

Summary: A competitive annual scholarship available to children of Argonne Lab employees.
Eligibilty: Children of regular, full-time Argonne Lab employees are eligible to apply for the need-based Argonne Scholarship. Preference is given to students who have completed their sophomore year.
Award Range: There will be a total of $40,000 a year in Northwestern scholarship assistance designated for these awards. Eight scholarships of $5,000 each will be awarded.
More information and an application for this scholarship can be found in Argonne Scholarship Information.

QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship

Summary: Northwestern University is a partner college with QuestBridge, a not-for-profit organization that helps match low income students who have excellent academic records with selective colleges.
Award Range: Students accepted through the College Match Program receive a financial aid package that covers 100% of demonstrated need.
For more information, including deadline dates, please contact QuestBridge directly.
Outside Scholarships: Outside scholarships will first reduce Federal Work-Study and then the summer work contribution. Scholarships over $4,600 will reduce the Northwestern grant, dollar for dollar.
Health Insurance: Northwestern requires all students to have health insurance. If the student is not covered by a parental plan, the Northwestern grant will be increased to cover the amount of health insurance.
Travel Budget: The allowance for travel will vary based upon the student's permanent address.

National Merit Scholarship

Summary: The National Merit Scholarship program is administered by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation(NMSC).  Sponsors of these scholarships include colleges and universities, corporate and business organizations, as well as the NMSC. 
Eligibilty: To be considered for a Northwestern University sponsored National Merit Scholarship, students must be a National Merit Finalist, list Northwestern University as his/her first choice school by the published deadline and must not be selected by another sponsor.  Students must meet  all National Merit deadlines in order to be considered for the scholarship.  Questions about these sponsored awards should be directed to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation at (847)866-5100 or by visiting the NMSC website.
Renewal: The NMSC sends out scholarship renewal applications to recipients of renewable corporate or Northwestern sponsored scholarships. Scholars must submit their renewal applications directly to NMSC by the appropriate deadline date.
Award Range: $500 up to $2,000. The NU National Merit Scholarship is $2,000 annually.