Renewal Criteria and Frequently Asked Questions

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:
Renewal criteria (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 attempted 135 credit hours or earned a 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:
  • Continuous full-time enrollment each fall and spring semester.
  • Maintain an NIU cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.*
  • Meet all standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress.
  • You have not attempted 135 credit hours or earned a 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 (fall 2019):
  • Continuous full-time enrollment each fall and spring semester.
  • Maintain an NIU cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher.*
  • Make Satisfactory Academic Progress. Please see policy for detailed information.
  • 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 (fall 2020 and beyond):
  • Continuous full-time enrollment each fall and spring semester.
  • Maintain an NIU cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher.*
  • Make Satisfactory Academic Progress. Please see policy for detailed information.
  • Meet all other AIM HIGH criteria.
  • The renewability of this scholarship is contingent on future state appropriation and funding for the AIM HIGH program.

*Note: The cumulative GPA (CGPA) is an annual snapshot after the conclusion of the spring semester each year.  A student who, after spring grades are processed, establishes eligibility for the upcoming year will not lose eligibility based on summer or fall grades. However, a student who does not meet the CGPA criteria can regain eligibility for the year if summer grades raise the CGPA, or for spring if fall grades raise the CGPA, to at least a 2.5.


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 3.00 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. All other NIU Partner scholarships are one-time, non-renewable awards.

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. 

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?

AIM HIGH and NIU Partnership Awards are not refundable, but can be used toward educationally-related NIU charges such as tuition and fees, on-campus housing, NIU meal plans, books charge to your NIU student account and standard parking permit charges. Total aid may have to be reduced if AIM HIGH and NIU Partnership Award funds, when combined with other aid restricted to NIU charges, exceed those charges or, when combined with all aid including student loans and federal work-study, exceed 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.

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