1. Financial Aid and Scholarship Office
  2. Grants
  3. AIM HIGH

Pay Less, Get More at NIU.

State of Illinois AIM HIGH Program

Through a powerful partnership with the State of Illinois' AIM HIGH program, NIU is making college more affordable for Illinois students. We've expanded our financial support to help talented students from Illinois high schools and community colleges achieve their dreams without the burden of overwhelming costs.

The grants in this program have residency, family income and other criteria. NIU has also set additional eligibility criteria within the state parameters. See each award for specific requirements.

Huskie Pledge Grant

Zero tuition and fees for your first year at NIU—and potentially beyond. Available to Illinois high school graduates with a 3.0+ GPA and family income under $115,000. Your path to a debt-free degree starts here.

Campus Housing Grant

Make NIU your home and receive up to $10,000. Eligible Illinois high school graduates with a 3.0+ GPA can get $2,500 annually for four years to live in any campus residence hall. Connect with campus life while cutting your housing costs.

Partnership Awards

Build your future with a $4,000 scholarship ($1,000 annually for four years) for eligible students graduating from Chicago Public Schools or a DeKalb County high school. Special awards also available for eligible Kishwaukee College and City Colleges of Chicago transfers.

Transfer Achievement

Transfer students, your hard work pays off. Receive a renewable $2,000 award when you earn a transfer merit scholarship and meet the AIM HIGH criteria.

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AIM HIGH Eligibility Requirements*

Number of People in Household AIM HIGH Maximum Income**
One $120,480
Two $163,520
Three $206,560
Four $249,600
Five $292,640
Six $335,680
Seven $378,720
Eight *** $421,760

 **Household limits may vary from year to year.
***For more than eight people in the household, add $43,040 for each person.

*These requirements are defined by the state of Illinois.

AIM HIGH Renewal Criteria

Renewability of the AIM HIGH programs are contingent on future state appropriation and funding.

Renewal criteria for the AIM HIGH Huskie Pledge Grant:
  • Continuous full-time enrollment each fall and spring semester.
  • Maintain an NIU cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.*
  • Meet all standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress.
  • You have not earned the equivalent of 135 credit hours or earned a bachelor’s degree.
  • Meet all criteria as outlined by the State of Illinois AIM HIGH program.
  • The renewability of this scholarship is contingent on future state appropriation and funding for the AIM HIGH program.
  • Huskie Pledge FAQ
Renewal criteria for the AIM HIGH Partnership Awards (fall 2024 and beyond):
  • Continuous full-time enrollment each fall and spring semester.
  • Maintain an NIU cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.*
  • Meet all standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress.
  • You have not earned the equivalent of 135 credit hours or earned a bachelor’s degree.
  • Meet all criteria as outlined by the State of Illinois AIM HIGH program.
  • The renewability of this scholarship is contingent on future state appropriation and funding for the AIM HIGH program.
Renewal criteria for this AIM HIGH Partnership Award:
  • Continuous full-time enrollment each fall and spring semester.
  • Maintain an NIU cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.*
  • Meet all standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress.
  • You have not earned the equivalent of 135 credit hours or earned a bachelor’s degree.
  • Meet all criteria as outlined by the State of Illinois AIM HIGH program.
  • The renewability of this scholarship is contingent on future state appropriation and funding for the AIM HIGH program.
Renewal criteria for the AIM HIGH Transfer Achievement Award (fall 2020 and beyond):
  • Continuous full-time enrollment each fall and spring semester.
  • Maintain an NIU cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.*
  • Make Satisfactory Academic Progress.
  • You have not earned the equivalent of 135 credit hours or earned a bachelor’s degree.
  • Meet all other AIM HIGH criteria.
  • The renewability of this scholarship is contingent on future state appropriation and funding for the AIM HIGH program.
Renewal criteria for the AIM HIGH Campus Housing Grant:

*Note: The cumulative GPA (CGPA) is an annual snapshot before the fall semester each year. If a student drops below the GPA requirement after fall grades are processed, they will not lose eligibility for the spring term based on fall grades. However, a student does not meet the CGPA criteria before a fall term, they can regain eligibility for the spring if fall grades raise the CGPA to the minimum requirement.  Students must contact the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office to request reinstatement once they meet the GPA requirement.

AIM HIGH Frequently Asked Questions

What are the AIM HIGH renewal requirements?

AIM HIGH scholarships are eligible for renewal based on the following criteria:

  • Full-time enrollment.
  • Maintaining an NIU cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
  • Making Satisfactory Academic Progress. Please see policy for detailed information.
  • Meeting all other AIM HIGH criteria.

Some NIU merit scholarships have a higher GPA renewal criteria than the AIM HIGH minimum. 

Most new freshman AIM HIGH scholarships are renewable until 135 credit hours have been earned or the first NIU degree has been completed.

Transfer AIM HIGH scholarships are renewable until 135 credit hours have been earned, including transferred hours, or completion of the first NIU degree.

The City Colleges of Chicago STAR Scholarship is renewable for one additional year. 

Do I need to file a FAFSA?

Yes. The AIM HIGH legislation requires you to file a FAFSA or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid to determine your initial eligibility each year. 

What is the definition of Illinois resident for undocumented students? Who is eligible to complete the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid?

For the purposes of AIM HIGH programs, an undocumented student is considered to be an Illinois resident and eligible to complete an Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid if they meet the following requirements:

  • Lived with their parent or guardian while attending a public or private high school in Illinois.
  • Graduated from a public or private high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma in Illinois.
  • Attended school in Illinois for at least three years as of the date they graduated from high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma.

In addition, undocumented students will be required to confirm that they will file an application to become a permanent resident of the U.S. at their earliest opportunity to do so.

Can I receive more than one AIM HIGH scholarship?

No. You will only receive one AIM HIGH scholarship. However, some students may be eligible for an additional stackable NIU Partnership Award in addition to their merit scholarship and AIM HIGH scholarship.

What costs are covered? Updated

AIM HIGH and NIU Partnership Awards can be used toward educationally-related NIU charges such as tuition and fees, on-campus housing, NIU meal plans, books charged to your NIU student account and standard parking permit charges. AIM HIGH programs such as the Huskie Pledge Grant and AIM HIGH Transfer Achievement Award are refundable. NIU Partnership Awards are not refundable. The AIM HIGH Campus Housing grant will only apply to on campus housing charges and is not refundable.

Total aid may be reduced when restricted aid exceeds applicable charges or when total aid exceeds your federal cost of attendance.

How do I maximize usage of all awarded scholarships and grants?

AIM HIGH scholarship funds, like NIU funded scholarships, are restricted to educationally-required NIU charges such as tuition, fees, room and board, and standard parking permits. These scholarships are non-refundable. Awards may be reduced if they exceed allowable charges.

For MAP-eligible students, AIM HIGH, MAP and NIU merit scholarships may exceed tuition and fees when combined. NIU merit funds not applied to tuition and fees can be applied to on-campus housing, meal plans and books. If the combination of restricted and non-refundable grants and scholarships exceeds tuition and fees, living on campus is an option that will decrease or eliminate any reduction in an award amount.

Pell-eligible students can use Pell funds for on- or off-campus living expenses if the Pell Grant exceeds NIU tuition, fees and books when combined with all other grants.

I lost my AIM High scholarship, but now I meet the criteria. Can my scholarship be reinstated?

If you lost your AIM HIGH scholarship due to falling below the GPA requirement, you may contact the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office to request reinstatement if you now meet the GPA requirement.

If you lost your AIM HIGH scholarship because you were enrolled less than full time (12 hours) at any point, you may not be eligible to receive the scholarship for future semesters, however, you can submit a one-time appeal to have your AIM HIGH scholarship reinstated if you return to full-time enrollment.

Is my scholarship taxable?
Grants and Scholarships exceeding tuition and qualifying expenses may be taxable. NIU is not permitted to offer tax advice, but we are required by the IRS to provide every student with an annual 1098T tuition statement. This form provides information regarding qualified tuition and related expenses that will assist with individual tax preparation.