Be sure to apply for admission to NIU and submit a completed FAFSA or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid by our priority deadline of February 1, 2026, to be considered for our Campus Housing Grant.
NEW! Campus Housing Grant
Our AIM HIGH Campus Housing Grant awards up to $10,000 over four years ($2,500 per year) to eligible new freshmen living on campus beginning in fall 2025.
This is a stackable award for first-year students who graduate from an Illinois high school with a 3.0 cumulative high school GPA and meet all other AIM HIGH criteria.
Our Campus Housing Grant is renewable for three additional years for students who continue to live on campus in an NIU residence hall. The renewability of this scholarship is contingent on future state appropriation and funding for the AIM HIGH program.
Eligibility Requirements
Qualifying Illinois high school students who graduate with an overall GPA of 3.0 or above will be considered for the AIM HIGH Campus Housing Grant. The award is only available to full-time incoming freshmen who live on campus and is based on residency, family income and other criteria.
Our Campus Housing Grant is a “stackable award,” meaning that eligible students will be offered the grant on top of other financial aid that is offered, such as the State of Illinois MAP grant, the Federal Pell grant, NIU merit scholarships, and others. However, students can receive financial aid only up to the cost of attendance and/or eligible charges, so in some cases, certain financial aid may have to be reduced. The grant is not refundable under any circumstance.
Among key AIM HIGH eligibility requirements, you must:
- Be an Illinois resident.
- Be a graduate of an Illinois high school during the 2025-2026 school year.
- Apply for admission to NIU and file a FAFSA or the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid by the priority deadline of February 1, 2026.
- Have a household income at or below eight times the poverty level. This information will be collected on the FAFSA. 2024 income will be used to determine 2026-2027 eligibility. The household income at the time of initial application will be the income used throughout the duration of the program (even if the income changes in subsequent FAFSAs submitted by the applicant).
How to Apply
Eligible students who indicate that they plan to live on campus will be offered our AIM HIGH Campus Housing Grant on their financial aid notification. Students must apply for admission to NIU and file a FAFSA or the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid by our priority deadline of February 1, 2026. Grants will continue to be offered on a rolling basis after the priority deadline as funding remains available.
Living on Campus
More than 4,000 Huskies call our residence halls home. If you receive our Campus Housing Grant you can live in any of NIU’s residence halls or our Northern View Community. Compare our halls and rates.
Our residence halls are as close as you can get to classes, food, fun and activities on campus. They offer connections to friends, resources and everything that makes Huskie life so special.
With floors on campus tied to academics, identities and interests, our unique residential communities allow students to connect even more with fellow Huskies and faculty. This added level of engagement contributes to academic success, personal and professional development.
Frequently Asked Questions
