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.
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.
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 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.
Still have more questions about AIM HIGH programs?
Learn about renewal criteria your AIM HIGH program funding and explore AIM HIGH frequently asked questions.