OpenFieldNorthern Illinois University Presidential Scholars Award
NIU's premier competitive scholarship awarded to extraordinary incoming freshmen who exhibit remarkable intellectual curiosity, civic leadership, and research drive.
Application checklist & requirements
These requirements reflect published university guidelines available at the last review. Review official department guidelines before submission.
- Academic degree / Prerequisites
- 3.85 unweighted high school GPA and ACT >= 30 or SAT >= 1390
- English language proficiency
- Exempt
- Standardized testing (GRE/GMAT)
- Exempt
- Thesis / Research statement
- Presidential Scholars competition essay and interview
- Recommendation letters
- Three letters of academic endorsement
How much will it cost? How much funding is available?
- Financial support / stipend
- Full in-state or out-of-state tuition, mandatory fees, and on-campus room/board ($24,000/year value across four years; $96,000 total award)
- Application fee
- $0
- Tuition / joining costs
- $0 (100% full tuition coverage)
Dates and verification
- Application deadline
- January 15, 2027
- Last source review
- 2026-10-16
Important verification note
Facts reflect official Northern Illinois University documentation reviewed 2026-10-16. Admissions, funding allocations, and eligibility thresholds are evaluated by the university.
Reviewed 2026-10-16 · Editorial standards · Report an issue