AIM HIGH Huskie Pledge

Are you an Illinois high school senior graduating in May? Have an overall GPA of 3.0 or above? You could pay no tuition costs or general fees your first year at NIU — and potentially beyond. That’s our AIM HIGH Huskie Pledge to you.

The AIM HIGH Huskie Pledge Grant is funded by the state of Illinois’ AIM HIGH Program. Funding is limited, so be sure to apply for admission and submit your FAFSA or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid by the priority deadline of Feb. 1, 2024. AIM HIGH Huskie Pledge Grants will continue to be awarded after the priority deadline if funds remain available.

For more information, check our frequently asked questions or contact us at finaid@niu.edu or 815-753-1395.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for a AIM HIGH Huskie Pledge Grant, you must:

  • Be an Illinois resident.
  • Be a graduate of an Illinois high school during the 2023-2024 school year.
  • Have a cumulative 3.0 high school GPA or higher.
  • Be a full-time (12 hours per semester) incoming freshman at NIU in the fall of 2024.
  • Apply for admission to NIU and file a FAFSA or the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid by the priority deadline of Feb. 1, 2024.
  • Have a parent who is an Illinois resident listed on your FAFSA or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid.
  • Have a family adjusted gross income at or below $75,000. This information will be collected on the 2023-24 FAFSA or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid using the 2022 tax year.
  • Have family assets of $75,000 or less, as defined by the FAFSA. (Home equity and the value of retirement accounts are not considered.)
  • Meet all criteria as outlined by the State of Illinois AIM HIGH program.

How It Works

The Huskie Pledge Grant covers tuition and general fee expenses that aren't met by other financial aid. To determine the amount of your Huskie Pledge Grant, we'll look at your initial NIU, federal and state aid. This includes:

  • Federal Pell and Supplemental Grants.
  • Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants.
  • Merit scholarships.
  • Advantage Grant (our traditional need-based grant).

If you qualify, you'll receive a Huskie Pledge Grant in the amount of any remaining expenses for tuition and general fees.

If you continue to meet renewal eligibility criteria, you'll receive the same Huskie Pledge Grant amount for up to four more years, regardless of changes to your other financial aid.

See examples.

Contact Us

Financial Aid and Scholarship Office
Swen Parson Hall 245
815-753-1395
finaid@niu.edu

For scholarship-specific questions

scholarships@niu.edu

Additional Contact Info

Protecting Your Information

Back to top