Program Overview

Introduction to the AIM HIGH Huskie Pledge Program

The AIM HIGH Huskie Pledge Program is a financial aid initiative designed to support freshmen students at Northern Illinois University (NIU). The program aims to cover the full cost of tuition and general fees for eligible students.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the AIM HIGH Huskie Pledge Grant, students must meet the following criteria:

• Be an Illinois resident
• Be a graduate of an Illinois high school
• Have a cumulative 3.0 high school GPA or higher
• Be a full-time (12 hours per semester) incoming freshman at NIU
• Apply for admission to NIU and file a FAFSA or the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid by the priority deadline
• Meet the Illinois residency requirements based on the student's dependency status
• Have an adjusted gross income at or below $115,000
• Have family assets of $115,000 or less, as defined by the FAFSA

How the Program Works

The AIM HIGH Huskie Pledge Grant is awarded to eligible students to ensure that their gift aid equals or exceeds NIU's annual tuition and general fees. The grant amount is determined by the student's initial NIU, federal, and state aid, including:

• Federal Pell and supplemental grants
• Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants
• Merit scholarships
• NIU Advantage Grant

Application Process

Students are automatically considered for the AIM HIGH Huskie Pledge Grant when they apply to NIU and submit their FAFSA or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid by the priority deadline.

Renewal Criteria

Huskie Pledge Grant recipients who maintain at least an NIU cumulative 2.5 GPA and meet all other eligibility criteria will be eligible for the same Huskie Pledge Grant amount received during their initial year of NIU enrollment. The grant is renewable until 135 credit hours have been earned or a degree has been completed.

Examples of the Program

The following examples illustrate how the AIM HIGH Huskie Pledge Program works:

Freshman Student One

This student meets the eligibility requirements and receives various types of aid, but it's not enough to cover the full expense of first-year tuition and general fees. A Huskie Pledge Grant is issued to ensure that all gift aid equals or exceeds the cost of NIU's annual tuition and general fees.

Freshman Student Two

This student meets the eligibility requirements, but other traditional types of gift aid already cover the full expense of tuition and general fees, so an additional Huskie Pledge Grant will not be applied to the financial aid offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the deadline to apply? Funding is limited, so students should apply for admission to NIU and file a FAFSA or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid by the priority deadline.
• What are the eligibility requirements? The requirements include being an Illinois resident, graduating from an Illinois high school, having a cumulative 3.0 high school GPA or higher, and meeting other criteria outlined by the State of Illinois AIM HIGH program.
• How much financial aid can I receive through a AIM HIGH Huskie Pledge Grant, and how does it work? The grant amount will vary depending on the student, and it is designed to ensure that gift aid equals or exceeds tuition and general fees.
• What costs are covered my freshman year? The full cost of fall and spring full-time tuition and general fees, including differential tuition.
• What expenses are not covered? Summer tuition and fees, student health insurance, study abroad fees, course material fees, parking permits, housing and dining charges, fines, book store charges, and indirect costs such as transportation and supplies.

Additional Information

The AIM HIGH Huskie Pledge Program is a unique opportunity for eligible freshmen students to receive financial support for their education at NIU. The program is designed to help students achieve their academic goals and succeed in their chosen field.