Freshman Merit Scholarship
Northern Illinois University Financial Aid and Scholarship Office · Automatically considered
Last updated by Award Scholar on
Eligibility
About this scholarship
Renewable automatic merit scholarship for incoming domestic freshmen admitted to Northern Illinois University based on high school GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students admitted for fall 2026 and beyond receive between one thousand and eight thousand dollars per year for up to four years depending on GPA tier, with a 4.0 GPA earning eight thousand dollars annually. No separate application is required beyond admission with all required documents by the priority deadline of December 1 for fall or summer or October 1 for spring. Recipients must enroll full time and maintain a 2.75 cumulative NIU GPA to renew.
Essay questions
Common questions
How much is the Freshman Merit Scholarship?
The Freshman Merit Scholarship awards $1,000–$8,000. It is sponsored by Northern Illinois University Financial Aid and Scholarship Office.
Who is eligible for the Freshman Merit Scholarship?
Key requirements include: United States; High school; Undergraduate; Northern Illinois University. Check the full eligibility section above, or create a free Award Scholar profile to have every requirement checked against your profile automatically.
Does the Freshman Merit Scholarship require an essay?
No essay is listed for this scholarship.
How do I apply for the Freshman Merit Scholarship?
Entry is automatic when you meet the criteria; there is no separate application to submit.
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