Northern Illinois University President Lisa Freeman announced the “Huskie Pledge” grant program in her State of the University speech.
Illinois students enrolling as full-time freshmen at NIU in fall 2020 will be awarded a grant to totally cover their first year of tuition and general fees. To meet the grant criteria, they must come in with a 3.0 or higher high school GPA and have a household income of under $75,000.
“Whether a student comes from a single-parent home, a dual-parent income family or if they’re undocumented, the Huskie Pledge reflects our continued commitment to reducing barriers, creating opportunities and investing where we can make a difference,” said Freeman.
The amount will be determined after factoring in a qualifying student’s initial institutional, federal and state aid. The Huskie Pledge Grant will meet the amount of any remaining first-year expenses for tuition and general fees.
Freeman said the initial amount of the grant will be renewable for up to four additional years if students stay at that academic and financial level.
NIU’s total enrollment dipped again this fall semester. But the university saw growing numbers of new students, transfer and graduate students.