Free Tuition. Our Mission is You.
Our NEIU For You scholarship covers up to four consecutive years of tuition for eligible first-time, full-time freshmen, transfer students and veterans.
At Northeastern Illinois University, we believe in empowering tomorrow’s leaders and changemakers. That belief guides every decision we make.
That’s why we offer the NEIU For You scholarship to qualified incoming full-time freshmen. Beginning in Fall 2025, qualified transfer students and veterans are eligible, too!
This top-off scholarship covers tuition costs for 12 credit hours per semester for up to four consecutive years for all qualified students. That means you can spend more time studying, pursuing your passions, and confidently stepping forward into your future, and less time navigating financial concerns.
“With my tuition covered by the NEIU For You scholarship, I am focused on getting good grades, not working full-time to pay off student debt.”
Ashley Garcia, NEIU For You recipient
How do you qualify?
You may qualify for the Fall 2025 NEIU For You scholarship if you meet the eligibility requirements.
Eligibility Requirements
- You are admitted to Northeastern as an incoming full-time freshman, transfer student or veteran
- You have a family income of less than $75,000
- You have family assets of less than $75,000
- You are enrolled in a baccalaureate degree program for at least 12 credit hours per fall and spring semesters
- Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- If you are undocumented, submit an Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid via the Retention of Illinois Students & Equity (RISE) Act
- You have a GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. (For this scholarship, Northeastern will waive the standard minimum 2.5 GPA admission requirement for eligible NEIU For You students.)
Additional Requirements for Freshmen
- You are an Illinois resident who attended an Illinois high school.
Additional Requirements for Transfer Students
- You meet the above criteria.
- You have attended a two- or four-year Illinois college or university.
Other Considerations for Veterans
- You will have Illinois residency requirements waived.
- Benefits are awarded to the individual veteran – not a spouse or a dependent.
Other Considerations
- International and foreign exchange students are not eligible for the NEIU For You scholarship.
- Students must register for full-time status (12 or more credit hours per fall and spring semesters) to qualify for consideration.
- The NEIU For You scholarship is non-refundable; students who do not complete a given semester will not be provided any cash or credit benefit.
- The NEIU For You scholarship is available for up to four consecutive years for new full-time, first-year students. The scholarship is available for up to two consecutive years for full-time transfer students.
- Northeastern Illinois University reserves the right to terminate the NEIU For You scholarship when available funds are exhausted or for any other reason determined solely by the University.
Not Eligible for NEIU For You? Check out our other scholarships.
Northeastern offers a range of scholarships to offset the cost of tuition, fees and other expenses associated with attending college. Scholarship criteria, applications, deadlines and award amounts vary per scholarship. Take a look and see which scholarships are a match for you!
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the NEIU For You scholarship cover, and who is eligible?
The NEIU For You is a top-off scholarship that covers tuition for first-time, full-time freshmen, transfer and veteran students who meet the eligibility requirements. Students admitted to Northeastern whose family income is $75,000 or less and whose family’s assets are $75,000 or less will receive a financial aid package that provides support, inclusive of scholarship and grant funding, to cover the full cost of Northeastern’s tuition. All federal, state, institutional and private grants/scholarships (including Pell grants, Illinois Monetary Assistance Program [MAP] grants, and/or support for veterans or other external awards) are applied first, and the NEIU For You scholarship covers the gap between tuition and financial aid funding support and the total cost of Northeastern’s tuition.
Does the NEIU For You scholarship provide financial assistance for housing, meals, course materials or other expenses?
No. The NEIU For You scholarship solely provides/covers gap in tuition and financial aid eligibility.
How do outside scholarships/grants affect my chances of receiving the NEIU For You scholarship?
NEIU For You covers the gap between tuition and financial aid eligibility.
Grants do not negatively affect your ability to qualify for the NEIU For You scholarship. If you meet the eligibility criteria after your grants from federal, state and external resources have been applied, the NEIU For You scholarship will pay the cost difference for your tuition.
What are the NEIU For You scholarship requirements for transfer students?
Transfer students must meet the same criteria as freshmen and transfer-specific additional requirements.
What happens if my income fluctuates?
Income used to determine eligibility for NEIU For You is the same income reflected on the FAFSA or the State Alternative Application or RISE Act.
Does NEIU For You cover summer courses?
No. The NEIU For You scholarship applies only to fall and spring semesters. It does not apply to summer courses.
Do I need to take a certain number of credits to keep my funding?
Students must take a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester.
What about grades? Do I need to keep a certain grade point average?
Students must maintain a 2.0 or higher grade point average.
Will I continue to receive this financial assistance until I complete my degree?
The scholarship continues for four consecutive years for freshmen admits and or two consecutive years for new transfer admits.
What if I do not receive Pell or MAP?
Eligibility criteria for NEIU For You requires household adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less and total assets of $75,000 or less. Eligibility for federal Pell or state MAP grant eligibility are determined separately from NEIU For You.
Can I get assistance with completing the application process?
Yes, staff members in the Office of Financial Aid, Scholarships and Student Employment are happy to help you with the application process.
Contact Us
If you have questions, please contact the Office of Financial Aid, Scholarships and Student Employment at (773) 442-5016 or financial-aid@neiu.edu or scholarships@neiu.edu.
