The Rockford Promise organization operates a non-profit 501(c)(3) location-based scholarship program that supports graduates of Rockford Public School District 205 (RPS 205). Northern Illinois University has a partnership with the Rockford Promise organization. Through this partnership, eligible students are guaranteed that their NIU tuition and general fee costs are covered for up to four years.
To be eligible for Rockford Promise at NIU, you must:
Possibly. Grants and scholarships through the Rockford Promise Program at NIU cover tuition and general fee expenses that aren't met by other financial aid. (Note: This does not include your housing and dining costs.) To determine the amount of your scholarship and/or grant, we'll look at your initial NIU, federal and state aid. This includes:
If there are unmet tuition and general fee costs, you could be eligible for a scholarship and/or grant through Rockford Promise at NIU. (Note: We do not use scholarships from outside NIU or the Rockford Promise organization as part of the calculation. Outside scholarships could be applied to housing charges within any rules specified by the donor organization.) Even if your tuition and fees are already met, as a Rockford Promise Scholar, you can still benefit from Rockford Promise at NIU support services, including mentoring, job-readiness training and access to a community of other area scholars.
*If you are eligible for both the Huskie Pledge and Rockford Promise Program at NIU, you cannot receive aid through both. In that event, only the Huskie Pledge Program will be used to help meet any unmet tuition or general fee expenses.
Possibly. Rockford Promise at NIU scholarships and grants are used to cover tuition and general fee expenses that aren't met by other financial aid. (Note: This does not include your housing and dining costs.) To determine the amount of your scholarship or grant, we'll look at your initial NIU, federal and state aid. This includes:
If there are unmet tuition and general fee costs, you may be eligible for a Rockford Promise at NIU scholarship and/or grant. Even if your tuition and fees are already met, as a Rockford Promise Scholar, you can still benefit from Rockford Promise at NIU support services, including mentoring, job-readiness training and access to a community of other area scholars regardless of the way your financial aid is applied.
*If you qualify for both the Huskie Pledge and Rockford Promise at NIU programs, you cannot receive aid through both. In that event, only the Huskie Pledge Program will be used to help meet any unmet tuition or general fee expenses.
Rockford Promise at NIU scholarships and grants cover tuition and general fee expenses that aren't met by other financial aid. (Note: This does not include your housing costs.) To determine the amount of your scholarship, we'll look at your initial NIU, federal and state aid. This includes:
If your tuition and general fee expenses are met with other gift aid, you will not have a scholarship or grant through the Rockford Promise Program at NIU as part of your financial aid. As a Rockford Promise Scholar, you can still benefit from Rockford Promise at NIU support services, including mentoring, job-readiness training and access to a community of other area scholars, regardless of whether you receive a scholarship or grant through the Rockford Promise Program at NIU.
*If you qualify for both the Huskie Pledge and Rockford Promise at NIU programs, you cannot receive aid through both. In that event, only the Huskie Pledge Program will be used to help meet any unmet tuition or general fee expenses.
As a Rockford Promise Scholar, you can still benefit from Rockford Promise at NIU support services, including mentoring, job-readiness training and access to a community of other area scholars, regardless of whether you receive a scholarship or grant through the program.
In addition, if your financial circumstances change in the future, your financial aid eligibility may be impacted. As long as you continue to meet the Rockford Promise at NIU renewal criteria, your continued participation in the program will guarantee that your tuition and fee expenses remain covered. This means that you could receive a future scholarship or grant through the program, if needed.
The Rockford Promise Program at NIU can cover your tuition and general fee expenses for up to four years of enrollment or upon graduation, whichever comes first. However, you must meet the following annual renewal criteria:
You can apply by completing the Rockford Promise Scholarship application.
To be eligible for the Rockford Promise Program at NIU, you must:
No. At this time, the Rockford Promise Program at NIU is only for eligible first-time, incoming freshman students who attend NIU immediately after high school. However, you could still be eligible for a merit scholarship or other forms of institutional aid from NIU, as well as state and federal aid.
No. At this time, the Rockford Promise Program at NIU does not provide funding for transfer students. However, you could still be eligible for a merit scholarship or other forms of institutional aid from NIU, as well as state and federal aid.
For scholarship-specific questions
scholarships@niu.edu