Scholarships and Fellowships

We'll help you identify and apply for scholarships, fellowships and external awards that match your goals. Make an appointment to get started. We'll guide you every step of the way.

Questions can be directed to Connie Storey, associate director of scholarships and fellowships, at 815-753-9505 or cstorey2@niu.edu. 

Testimonial

These scholarships have helped me worry less about financial things and focus more on classes and passing them. The scholarships allow me to focus on academics and my career goals.

Jesika Pabello, accountancy

Honors Scholarships

NIU offers many scholarships and tuition waivers for honors students, including:

• Alumni Honors Scholarships
• Ari and Ruth Kovacevich Distinguished Scholarship
• Arthur P. and Sue Warrick Doederlein Scholarship
• Dick Noreen Honors Scholarship
• Donald and Linda Shearer Honors STEM Scholarship
• Honors Excellence Awards
• James L. Massey Honors Scholarship (freshmen only)

Applications and deadlines are available in MyScholarships. You may reapply for these competitive awards in future years.

Enhance Your Education Grant

The Enhance Your Education (EYE) Grant provides up to $1,000 to support travel, supplies or other costs associated with your honors capstone, study abroad program, honors-related research/artistry endeavor or other appropriate educational activity.

To apply, submit an EYE Grant application (PDF) in the semester before your study abroad experience or activity (before Nov. 15 or April 1). Email your application to Connie Storey, at cstorey2@niu.edu.

Honors Fellows

Becoming an Honors Fellow is a unique and rewarding opportunity to develop your leadership skills. Fellows receive a tuition waiver of $5,000-$6,000/year (or $2,500-$3,000/semester). They contribute approximately 20-25 hours per month during the academic year, performing tasks such as:

• Holding regular "office hours" to provide advising and guidance to other honors students
• Serving as mentors to incoming first-year students
• Helping design, implement and evaluate honors programming, such as the first-year retreat at Lorado Taft and the welcome back events
• Assisting with honors recruitment, service and social programming

If you're interested in becoming a University Honors Fellow, apply in MyScholarships.

2023-24 Honors Fellows

Honors Trip Coordinator

The Honors Trip Coordinator (HTC) lives in the Honors House and provides support and enrichment to honors students. The HTC receives up to $4,000 per year in their bursar account. Learn more and apply to be an Honors Trip Coordinator in MyScholarships.

Lincoln Academy Student Laureate Award

Each year, the Lincoln Academy Student Laureate Award is given to an outstanding senior from each of the four-year degree-granting institutions of higher learning in Illinois. NIU Student Laureates are expected to have an NIU GPA of 3.50 or higher and to show leadership in extracurricular activities. NIU departments may nominate students for the award.

Past award recipients

McKearn Fellows

Transform your educational experience by applying to the McKearn Fellows Program. A McKearn Fellowship is among NIU's most prestigious honors and allows you to conduct research in your field of study and create a plan for reaching your career goals.

National Fellowship Advising

We provide National Fellowship Advising. Start exploring national fellowships and external awards to further your research and education. Our Rising Scholars program will help you develop into a competitive fellowship applicant.