Scholarships at NLU

Thanks to the generosity of NLU alumni, friends and corporations, there are dozens of donor scholarships available to NLU students across all degree programs. These scholarships are merit-based and awarded to both incoming and continuing NLU students.

•  Donor-Funded Scholarships

In order to say "Thank you" to the heroes who keep us safe and healthy, NLU offers scholarships for active duty military, veterans, first responders and their family members. 

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Please read carefully - the Fall Emergency Fund is only available to those students who have not yet received emergency funding in the past. If you have completed this application for a previous term, you are not eligible for the emergency fund for the Fall term.

Fall 2022 Emergency Assistance Request

National Louis University has created a COVID-19 Student Emergency Assistance Fund to support students impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Monies for this fund were provided to the University from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Plan (HEERF) of the United States Government and by the Illinois Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) fund.

All active NLU students meeting the eligibility requirements below may apply for financial assistance from this fund if they have been adversely impacted financially by the COVID-19 crisis. Cases will be evaluated by the University and awarded on a first come, first served basis while funds are available.

HEERF Funding

HEERF funding: received from the United States Government in connection with HEERF and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) and the American Rescue Plan (ARP). These funds are to be allocated to students who have exceptional need and/or unexpected expenses as a result of the pandemic such as financial need to cover tuition costs, course materials costs, technology costs, healthcare expenses, childcare expenses, reduced income, food or housing insecurity, etc. All students who are enrolled in the Fall 2022 term are eligible to apply for this aid which will be distributed on a first-come first-serve basis. Student grants under this program will be up to $750 each based on need and will be awarded in mid October for students who are eligible and apply by the start of classes on September 26th, 2022. Grant applications submitted after September 26th will be awarded in the order in which they were received until funds are exhausted. Employees of National Louis University who are receiving a tuition waiver to take classes at the University are not eligible for one of these Student Grants.

Fall 2022 Emergency Assistance Request

In partnership with Township High School District 214, National Louis University is offering a full tuition scholarship, up to $12,000, renewable for four years to graduating high school seniors.  NLU will award at least 2 scholarships for the 2024-25 academic year. Deadline to apply: April 11, 2024. Scholarship decisions will be made shortly thereafter.

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Eagles who are invited and accepted to the Undergraduate Honors Program (UHP) may be eligible up to $2,000* per academic year. The award is renewable for up to five consecutive years as long as membership in UHP, full-time enrollment and satisfactory academic progress is maintained. 

*After determining eligibility for Federal and State grants

We're offering one full tuition scholarship, up to $12,000, in each undergraduate major for students starting Fall 2024.

To Qualify, You Must:

1) Apply for admission and be admitted by April 30 (see qualifying degree programs below).

2) Write a one-page essay describing who you want to be in five years and the transformation you want to experience. Submit your essay to freshman@nl.edu by May 10, 2024. Please include the following information on your essay submission:

• First and last name
• Date of birth
• High School
• NLU ID Number (found on your acceptance email and postal letter)

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For the academic year, 2024-2025, National Louis University is offering multiple scholarships of $5,355 each towards the UGC Full-Time Freshman tuition. The award is renewable for up to four consecutive years as long as full-time enrollment and satisfactory academic progress is maintained.

Eligibility Requirements

• Be a Dreamer, DACA eligible, or undocumented student
• Apply and be accepted by March 25, 2024.
• Plan to attend as a full-time day-time student in the Undergraduate College (excluding Kendall and AccelerateU)

Application Process 

• Submit scholarship application
• Complete three short answer responses listed on the application

Selected students will be notified to schedule a check-in with the Eagle Dream Scholarship Coordinator. To accept the award, $50 enrollment deposit must be submitted by May 2.

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Students tranferring into National Louis University through the Direct to Success program will qualify for a scholarship equal to 25% of total tuition.

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The Baker Scholarship is a merit-based award that is automatically given to eligible transfer students. The maximum award a student can receive for the academic year is $1,800.

The scholarship criteria include:

• Full admission to an undergraduate degree program at National Louis University
• More than 30 quarter hours of accepted college transfer credits
• A transfer GPA of at least 3.35
• Enrollment in 14 or more quarter hours per academic term
• The award is renewable as long as a 3.35+ GPA is maintained
• Students will be awarded $600 per term.  The scholarship can be awarded until the student has attempted 180 quarter hours of combined transfer and institutional coursework
• Students are only eligible for one institutional resource per academic year. If a student is receiving another institutional scholarship, they will not also be awarded this scholarship.
• Scholarship is not refundable to the student, can only be used to cover tuition costs
• Students must adhere to all the University policies noted in the Catalog in order to remain eligible to receive NLU Scholarships.

Please Note: All National Louis Scholarships require U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status. Undocumented students who meet the criteria may apply to receive the NLU Eagle Dream Scholarship. International students who meet the criteria may apply to receive the NLU Alumni Scholarship and PTK Scholarship.

The Louis Scholarship is a need-based award that is automatically given to eligible transfer students. The maximum award a student can receive for the award year is $1,800.

The scholarship criteria include:

• Full admission to an undergraduate degree program at National Louis University
• More than 30 quarter hours of accepted college transfer credits
• A transfer GPA of at least 2.5
• An Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of less than or equal to $7,000
• Enrollment in 14 or more quarter hours per academic term
• The award is renewable as long as a 2.5+ GPA is maintained
• Students will be awarded $600 per term. The scholarship can be awarded until the student has attempted 180 quarter hours of combined transfer and institutional coursework
• Students are only eligible for one institutional resource per academic year. If a student is receiving another institutional scholarship they will not also be awarded this scholarship.
• Scholarship is not refundable to the student, can only be used to cover tuition costs
• Students must adhere to all the University policies noted in the Catalog in order to remain eligible to receive NLU Scholarships.

Please Note: All National Louis Scholarships require U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status. Undocumented students who meet the criteria may apply to receive the NLU Eagle Dream Scholarship. International students who meet the criteria may apply to receive the NLU Alumni Scholarship and PTK Scholarship.

In partnership with One Million Degrees, National Louis University will offer two full last dollar tuition scholarships for the 2021-2022 academic year. The scholarships will be renewable for up to three years to a transfer student who is a One Million Degrees Scholar and has earned an Associate’s Degree. One will be for NLU’s Chicago campus and one for NLU’s Wheeling campus. Deadline to apply: May 15, 2021. Scholarship decisions will be made by June 1, 2021.

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The NLU PTK Scholarship is designed to reward the accomplishments of members of Phi Theta Kappa by providing financial support to high-achieving community college students to pursue their education.

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Through a collaborative partnership between National Louis University and City Colleges of Chicago (CCC), Star Scholars will receive guaranteed admission and a scholarship based on merit.

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If you work or have worked in early childhood education and you're seeking additional credentials and/or a degree in early childhood education, you may be eligible for the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship Program. Information and eligibility requirements can be found on the ECACE Scholarship webpage.

This program is an individual-based scholarship opportunity for practitioners working in Early Care and Education (ECE) or school-age care. Information and eligibility requirements can be found on the Gateways to Opportunity webpage.

The National College of Education (NCE) is offering two different grants for teachers entering graduate degree programs in Winter 2022.

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This program supports racially diverse individuals who have a desire to become teachers in their own communities. Information and eligibility requirements can be found on the Grow Your Own webpage.

This is an organization committed to providing bi-lingual education within Illinois and offers scholarships of monetary value and of professional development. Information and eligibility requirements can be found on the ITBE Webpage.

The Diversity in Literacy Leaders Scholarship is awarded to three (3) incoming students to the ME.D. or Ed.S. in Reading program. Applicants must be diverse ethnic/racial heritage scholars traditionally underrepresented in higher education. "Traditionally underrepresented" is defined as individuals of Black/African American, Hispanic American, Asian American, American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander (Illinois Public Act 093-0862; July 1, 2004).

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The scholarship is in memory of Mrs. Mindy Bulmash Lucas, who graduated from the National College of Education in 1991. Dr. Fred Lucas established this annual scholarship to provide tuition assistance to a student in the National College of Education who recently lost a parent, spouse, or child to cancer, or whose parent, spouse, or child is currently fighting cancer. The amount of the award will vary by year based on the monetary levels of the fund. The Lucas and Bulmash families wish to honor Mindy’s legacy by supporting students who are continuing their education despite dealing with the painful obstacle of a family member battling cancer. 

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NLU is a partner institution with the Golden Apple Scholars Program. The Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois program is a teacher preparation and tuition assistance program for high school seniors and freshman and sophomore Illinois college students who have the determination and drive to be highly effective teachers in Illinois schools-of-need.

Scholars Receive:

• Up to $23,000 in total financial assistance for college, inclusive of paid Scholar Institutes
• Extensive classroom teaching experience
• Academic and social-emotional support
• Job placement assistance
• Mentoring from our award-winning teaching faculty

Eligibility Requirements

Entry Points

• High school Class of 2022
• College Freshmen and Sophomores at Partner Universities in Illinois
• Community college students in Illinois

General Requirements

• S. citizen, eligible non-citizen or DACAmented student and resident of Illinois
• Illinois High School Senior, Illinois Partner University Freshman or Sophomore, Illinois Community College Student.
• Academic Requirements
• Every application submitted to Golden Apple Scholars receives a holistic review. This means every piece of your application is reviewed and considered in order to make a decision. One single item does not determine your application decision.

Completion Requirements

• Meet ISAC program requirements
• 5 GPA
• Participation in Golden Apple Scholar Institutes
• Code of conduct compliance
• Bachelor's degree from an Illinois Partner University
• Illinois teaching certification
• Teach for five years in an Illinois school-of-need within 7 years of graduation

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Beginning in April 2015, this scholarship will offer current and former McCormick Center professional development attendees a 10 percent tuition discount for new students that enroll in the Master’s in Early Childhood Administration or the Undergraduate Early Childhood Education or Early Childhood Practice programs.

Scholarship Criteria:

• Enrollment and attendance in at least one McCormick Center professional development course within the last 4 school terms
• Admission and enrollment in the UG ECE, ECP or the MED ECA programs at the University for new students beginning in April 2015 or later
• Must maintain continuous enrollment (summer term is optional)
• Students are only eligible for one institutional resource per academic year
• Adhere to the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy of the University
• Students must adhere to all the University policies noted in the Catalog in order to remain eligible to receive NLU Scholarships
• Scholarship is not refundable to the student, can only be used to cover tuition costs

Please Note: All National Louis Scholarships require U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status. Undocumented students who meet the criteria may apply to receive the NLU Eagle Dream Scholarship. International students who meet the criteria may apply to receive the NLU Alumni Scholarship and PTK Scholarship.

The Illinois School Leader Pipeline Program (ISLPP) provides tuition support and mentoring for students enrolled in the NCE Educational Leadership M.Ed./Ed.S. program who are committed to earning their Illinois principal endorsement and serving as a school leader upon completion of the principal preparation program.

The purpose of the Illinois School Leader Pipeline Program (ISLPP) is to identify, develop, support and sustain diverse cohorts of aspiring school leaders as they progress through preparation to attainment of school leadership (principal or assistant principal) positions.

Program Supports

During this inaugural year, the ISLPP will offer 100 aspiring school leaders entering their first year of principal preparation the following support:

• $7500 of tuition support ($2500 for each of the Fall 2022, Spring, 2023, and Summer 2023 Semesters).
• 20 hours of mentoring by an experienced school leader who has received significant mentor training.
• $500 to offset 5 days of subbing costs so the aspiring leader can engage in school-based leadership activities.
• Aspiring IPA Membership to connect the aspiring school leaders to the largest professional learning network of school leaders in the state of Illinois.

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Patricia Cassin-Graft, Class of 1957, and Michael J. Graft, Sr. have established the Patricia Cassin-Graft Student Teacher Assistance Fund at National Louis University. 

Currently, the committee seeks to assist graduate or undergraduate candidates who are about to complete their final term of student teaching requirements. The fund does not provide cash awards. Recipients of the award receive a credit to their account at National Louis University to offset the cost of tuition during their final term of student teaching. The fund does not provide cash awards or cover student fees.

The committee looks for candidates of exceptional talent who: a) are committed to teaching in low income communities; b) show promise of becoming highly qualified teachers and role models in the Chicago, Illinois region; and c) have significant financial need.

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All incoming international students who are freshman (20 semester/30 quarter hours or less of transfer credit) and are starting their university coursework in NLU’s Undergraduate College for the first time on-campus in Chicago or Wheeling will be automatically awarded the NLU International Fresh Start Scholarship.

The NLU International Fresh Start Scholarship is renewable each term of study and reduces tuition by 44%.  Current per credit hour rate for UGC programs of study is $430/per quarter credit hour and the NLU International Fresh Start Scholarship will reduce tuition for eligible students to $239/per quarter credit hour.  The IFSS brings the annual cost of tuition (3 quarters of study per year) to $10,755 per year.

Eligibility:

• Available to international students on an F1 student visa
• Must be a First Time Freshman (completed less than 20 semester hours/30 quarter hours of prior university level coursework)
• Must be pursuing a program offered in NLU’s Undergraduate College
• Must be a new NLU student starting your NLU coursework On-Campus at the Chicago or Wheeling campus
• Students are only eligible to receive one NLU resource per academic year
• NLU scholarships can only be used to cover tuition costs and are not refundable to the student
• Students must maintain full-time status (14+ credits/term) and continuous enrollment (Summer optional)
• Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0
• Students must adhere to all university policies and maintain their F1 status in order to remain eligible to receive NLU scholarships

Application Process:

• Apply for admission using NLU’s online application at www.nl.edu/applyonline
• This scholarship will be automatically applied to students’ accounts upon acceptance into their program, meeting the requirements as a First Time Freshman, and registration for On-Campus classes in Chicago or Wheeling.

All international students admitted to a National Louis University Bachelor's degree program will receive an annual, renewable scholarship equal to 10% of the full-time tuition rate (valued up to $7,599* ).

Eligibility:

• Available to international students only
• Students are only eligible to receive one NLU resource per academic year
• NLU scholarships can only be used to cover tuition costs and are not refundable to the student
• Students must maintain full-time status (14+ credits/term) and continuous enrollment (Summer optional)
• Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0
• Students must adhere to all university policies in order to remain eligible to receive NLU scholarships

Application Process:

• Apply for admission using NLU’s online application at www.nl.edu/applyonline
• This scholarship will be automatically applied to students’ accounts upon acceptance into the programs

The #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship at National Louis University recognizes international students who have a vision for enhancing intercultural understanding. National Louis University will offer two annual, renewable scholarships equal to 50% of full-time tuition to selected international undergraduates dedicated to furthering the #YouAreWelcomeHere message by bridging intercultural divides. Applicants will answer a short essay question or present a multimedia project about their ideas for applying their leadership skills on their future campuses.

YAWH Eligibility:

• Be a first-year international applicant of any undergraduate program of study
• Attend (or have graduated from) a secondary school outside of the United States
• Demonstrate interest and initiative in leadership and intercultural learning
• Complete a 500-1000 word essay or a 2-5 minute video answering the following prompt: "Tell us about your leadership skills in your school or community, and how you plan to continue applying your leadership skills at National Louis University."

Application Process:

• Apply for admission using NLU’s online application at apply-now.nl.edu.
• Complete the 2022 #YAWH Scholarship Application and corresponding essay or video
• Email the completed YAWH application and corresponding essay or video to YAWH@nl.edu by July 15th. If submitting a large video file, please share a link to the video in the email.
• If you are awarded a scholarship, claim it by submitting a tuition deposit by July 25th.

Application Deadline:

• Deadline: July 15
• Award Date: July 20
• Enrollment Deposit Deadline: July 25

Additional Eligibility:

• Available to international students only
• Students are only eligible to receive one NLU resource per academic year
• NLU scholarships can only be used to cover tuition costs and are not refundable to the student
• Students must maintain full-time status (14+ credits/term) and continuous enrollment (Summer optional)
• Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0
• Students must adhere to all university policies in order to remain eligible to receive NLU scholarships

All international students admitted to a Kendall College degree program in Culinary Arts or Baking and Pastry will receive an annual, renewable scholarship equal to 25% of the full-time tuition rate (valued up to $24,123* ).

Eligibility:

• Available to international students only
• Students are only eligible to receive one NLU resource per academic year
• NLU scholarships can only be used to cover tuition costs and are not refundable to the student
• Students must maintain full-time status (14+ credits/term) and continuous enrollment (Summer optional)
• Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0
• Students must adhere to all university policies in order to remain eligible to receive NLU scholarships

Application Process:

• Apply for admission using NLU’s online application at www.nl.edu/applyonline
• This scholarship will be automatically applied to students’ accounts upon acceptance into the programs

All international students admitted to a Kendall College degree program in Hospitality Management will receive an annual, renewable scholarship equal to 10% of the full-time tuition rate (valued up to $7,599* ).

Eligibility:

• Available to international students only
• Students are only eligible to receive one NLU resource per academic year
• NLU scholarships can only be used to cover tuition costs and are not refundable to the student
• Students must maintain full-time status (14+ credits/term) and continuous enrollment (Summer optional)
• Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0
• Students must adhere to all university policies in order to remain eligible to receive NLU scholarships

Application Process:

• Apply for admission using NLU’s online application at www.nl.edu/applyonline
• This scholarship will be automatically applied to students’ accounts upon acceptance into the programs

All international students who transfer to NLU with a conferred associate degree (2-year university level degree) within a year of attaining their associate degree are eligible for our Direct to Success Scholarship, a 25% tuition rate value.  The Direct to Success Scholarship makes NLU the most affordable private university in the Chicago area for transfer students. Additionally, our generous acceptance of transfer credits means that students don’t need to pay for classes they’ve already taken. Simply put, NLU saves time, money and headaches.

You can learn more about Direct to Success, NLU's Commitment to Transfer Students, here.

Eligibility:

• Students are only eligible to receive one NLU resource per academic year
• NLU scholarships can only be used to cover tuition costs and are not refundable to the student
• Students must maintain full-time status (14+ credits/term) and continuous enrollment (Summer optional)
• Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0
• Students must adhere to all university policies in order to remain eligible to receive NLU scholarships

Application Process:

• Apply for admission using NLU’s online application at www.nl.edu/applyonline
• This scholarship will be automatically applied to students’ accounts upon acceptance to NLU and meeting the scholarship requirements.

This scholarship will offer NLU alumni (and Kendall alumni with a bachelor's degree) who enroll in an additional NLU degree program after graduation from the University a 15% tuition discount off of their tuition.

Scholarship Criteria:

• Must have completed at minimum a bachelor's degree from NLU or Kendall College.
• Completed at least one degree with NLU and enroll in an additional NLU degree program (undergraduate or graduate).
• Must enroll at least half-time (undergraduate = 6 hours; graduate = 3 hours).
• Maintain continuous enrollment (Summer is optional)
• Maintain GPA of 2.75 undergrad or 3.25 Grad
• Students are only eligible for one institutional resource per academic year
• Adhere to the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy of the University
• Students must adhere to all the University policies noted in the Catalog in order to remain eligible to receive NLU Scholarships

Please Note: All National Louis Scholarships require U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status. Undocumented students who meet the criteria may apply to receive the NLU Eagle Dream Scholarship. International students who meet the criteria may apply to receive the NLU Alumni Scholarship and PTK Scholarship.