Northeastern Illinois University is pleased to announce NEIU For You, a brand-new, one-time scholarship that covers tuition and mandatory fees for a full year for incoming first-year, full-time undergraduates. The scholarship initiative will also cover the cost of a three credit hour course for all new undergraduate transfer students who register for six credit hours or more for Fall 2021.
NEIU For You will cover the costs of 12 credit hours of tuition and mandatory fees for Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 after all federal, state, institutional, internal/external scholarships and grants have been applied, which means a student can earn a four-year degree for the cost of three years.
All prospective students who apply to Northeastern and are admitted as first-year students will automatically qualify for this initiative so long as they:
- Submit a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.gov
- Undocumented students must submit a completed Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid instead of FAFSA.
- Complete an Intent to Enroll (click on First-Year Students, refer to Step 3)
- Register for 12 credit hours per semester (Fall 2021 and Spring 2022)
- Once registered for classes, sign and submit a form acknowledging conditions
“Access to education has become even more critical for our students at this unprecedented moment in history,” said Northeastern President Gloria J. Gibson. “It’s also a critical moment for education institutions to do better at providing that access. Students need the opportunities education can offer, and the world needs their gifts, their skills, their passion, and their voices—now more than ever.”
Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Terry Mena says he is excited about serving a substantial number of incoming first-time students through the program. The number of students who will benefit from the program depends on the number of applicants and their eligibility for other grants and scholarships. With assistance from the NEIU Foundation, Northeastern has set aside almost $3 million for the initiative.
“The past year has been beyond difficult for all of us,” said Mena. “This initiative is designed to help open the door a bit wider, which can make all the difference for first-generation students and other students and families working to make ends meet.”
For the past seven years, Northeastern has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 1 Midwest regional university to graduate students with the least amount of debt.
“By graduating students with as little debt as possible, we empower them in countless ways,” Gibson said. “They can step out into the world more confident and ready to put their degrees to use, not just to earn a paycheck—which is important—but also to pursue their passions without a significant financial burden that often comes with pursuing higher education.”
Top photo: Two Northeastern students smiling with arms outstretched in NEIU t-shirts. Photo was taken prior to COVID-19.
