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Northwestern Scholarships

The University awarded over $200 million to undergraduate students in 2022-23, and approximately half of undergraduates received a Northwestern University Scholarship. Students who apply for aid will automatically be considered for all forms of aid listed below. Program and eligibility requirements are subject to revision based on federal, state and university changes to regulations and policies. Financial aid from the university is limited to four years of enrollment for an entering first-year student and three years of enrollment for an entering transfer student. For more information on the four-year limit, see satisfactory academic progress.

Northwestern University Scholarship

  • Summary: The NU Scholarship is generally the final component of an aid package, meeting any remaining need after other forms of aid have been applied.
  • Eligibility: NU Appropriated Scholarship: Awards are based on demonstrated institutional financial need and availability of funding at the time the student applies. Recipients come from a wide range of income backgrounds. 
    NU Endowed Scholarship: Awards that are funded by friends and alumni of Northwestern University. Students who are eligible for the NU Scholarship will be considered for a variety of endowed scholarships if they also meet the donors' other selection criteria.

The chart below illustrates average Northwestern scholarships awarded to enrolling freshmen in Fall 2021 by their family's Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). The third column reflects only Northwestern grant aid, the fourth column reflects Northwestern grant aid plus state and federal grants (like SEOG and Pell), and the last column reflects all of these items plus private scholarships earned by our students.  Please note that these figures are averages.*

Family Income Percent Receiving NU Aid Average NU Scholarship Avg. Package with NU Scholarship + State and Federal Grants Avg. Package with NU Scholarship, State, Federal Grants & Private Scholarships
$0 - $29,999 96% $65,216 $74,317 $75,419
$30,000 - $59,999 95% $67,118 $74,465 $75,763
$60,000 - $89,999 93% $63,1133 $65,188 $66,733
$90,000 - $119,999 91% $55,875 $55,939 $57,440
$120,000 - $149,999 88% $48,328 $48,328 $49,624
$150,000 or more 42% $31,378 $31,378 $32,240

*Families in the higher income ranges may have more than one student enrolled in college to qualify for a scholarship.

Northwestern Endowed Scholarships

Students who are eligible for need-based Northwestern Scholarship may receive a named endowed scholarship. These scholarships are established by individuals who care deeply about the University and its mission. Some donors are NU alumni, who were themselves the beneficiaries of student aid. An endowed scholarship can establish a direct connection between you and the donor; most donors welcome the opportunity to meet or correspond with the students who receive their awards. Please note that:

  • A named endowed scholarship does not change the total amount of financial aid awarded.
  • Funds awarded through endowed scholarships replace the amount of any NU grant on a dollar-for-dollar basis based on fund restrictions.
  • Scholarships are awarded to students who meet the criteria specific to each fund.
  • No additional application materials are required beyond the regular financial aid application materials. Students are automatically considered for these funds when they apply for financial aid. Selection is based on a student’s match with a donor’s criteria. 

QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship

  • Summary: Northwestern University is a partner college with QuestBridge, a not-for-profit organization that helps match low-income students who have excellent academic records with selective colleges. Northwestern provides considerable scholarship assistance to students matched through this program. Please visit Northwestern's QuestBridge page for more information.
  • For more information, including deadline dates, please contact QuestBridge directly.

Chicago Star Scholarship

  • Summary: Need-based scholarship program established in 2016-17 by Northwestern for students who have completed their studies at City Colleges of Chicago and transferred to Northwestern.
  • Eligibility: Students admitted who have completed a portion of their studies at City Colleges of Chicago and transfer to Northwestern to complete their first bachelor's degree.
  • Award Range: Award amount is based on a student's demonstrated need (in accordance with Northwestern's need-based financial aid policies.)
  • Renewal: The Star Scholarship is available for up to three years. Recipient must maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Native American and Indigenous Studies Scholarship

  • Summary: Northwestern University is pleased to offer this scholarship beginning in the 2023-24 academic year to support the work of undergraduate students in the area of Native American and Indigenous studies.
  • Eligibility: This scholarship will be awarded to students who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to and focus upon Native American and Indigenous issues, as reflected by a demonstrated knowledge of Native American and Indigenous history or culture; and/or a commitment to enhance Native American and Indigenous communities, culture and lifeways.
  •  Award Range: Funds awarded through this scholarship replace funds received as part of a Northwestern University Scholarship. The amount of the scholarship will be dependent on the level of financial need of the recipient.
  •  Renewal: This scholarship is available for up to four years. Recipient must maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Canning Scholarship

  • Summary: Thanks to a generous gift from the Canning Foundation, beginning in the 2025-26 academic year, Northwestern will award need-based scholarships to graduates of select Big Shoulders Fund schools. The Big Shoulders Fund helps Chicago-land youth with demonstrated financial need achieve their dreams through access to a quality, values-based education at partner Catholic schools.
  • Eligibility: Graduates of select Big Shoulders Fund partner high schools.
  • Award Range: Award amount is based on a student's demonstrated financial need (in accordance with Northwestern's need-based financial aid policies).
  •  Renewal: This scholarship is available for up to four years. Recipient must maintain satisfactory academic progress.