The Northwestern University Scholarships 2026 provide several forms of financial support for eligible undergraduate students, including need-based university scholarships, endowed awards, the QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship, and specialized scholarships for qualifying students. Northwestern states that it awarded more than $200 million to undergraduate students in 2023–24, with approximately half of undergraduates receiving a Northwestern University Scholarship.
Background & Scholarship Description
Northwestern University offers a range of institutional scholarships and grants designed to help students meet the cost of an undergraduate education.
Students who apply for financial aid are automatically considered for the Northwestern scholarships listed on the university’s financial aid page, although individual programmes may have their own eligibility requirements.
For an entering first-year student, Northwestern financial aid is generally limited to four years of enrollment, while entering transfer students can receive university financial aid for up to three years.
Program requirements and policies may change as federal, state and university regulations are updated.
Northwestern University Scholarship
The Northwestern University Scholarship is generally used as the final component of a student’s financial aid package, helping meet remaining demonstrated financial need after other forms of aid have been applied.
There are two main categories:
NU Appropriated Scholarship
Awards are based on demonstrated institutional financial need and the availability of funding when the student applies.
Recipients can come from a wide range of family income backgrounds.
NU Endowed Scholarships
These scholarships are funded by Northwestern alumni, friends and other donors.
Students who qualify for the Northwestern University Scholarship may also be considered for various endowed awards when they satisfy the criteria established by individual donors.
Northwestern reports that approximately half of its undergraduates received a Northwestern University Scholarship.
Northwestern Endowed Scholarships
Endowed scholarships provide named awards established through contributions from individuals who support Northwestern’s educational mission.
Students do not need to submit separate application materials for these awards beyond the university’s regular financial aid application materials.
Selection depends on whether the student meets the specific criteria associated with a particular scholarship fund.
An endowed scholarship does not necessarily increase the student’s overall financial aid package. Instead, the endowed award can replace Northwestern grant funding on a dollar-for-dollar basis according to the restrictions of the particular fund.
QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship
Northwestern is a partner college of QuestBridge, a nonprofit organisation that connects high-achieving, low-income students with selective colleges and universities.
Students matched with Northwestern through the QuestBridge National College Match can receive substantial scholarship assistance.
Applicants interested in this pathway should consult QuestBridge and Northwestern’s dedicated QuestBridge information for eligibility requirements and application deadlines.
Chicago Star Scholarship
The Chicago Star Scholarship is a need-based programme established by Northwestern for students who have completed studies at City Colleges of Chicago and transfer to Northwestern to complete their first bachelor’s degree.
Eligibility
Students must:
- Be admitted to Northwestern.
- Have completed part of their studies at City Colleges of Chicago.
- Be transferring to Northwestern to complete their first bachelor’s degree.
Award
The award is based on demonstrated financial need under Northwestern’s need-based financial aid policies.
Renewal
The scholarship can be available for up to three years, provided the recipient maintains satisfactory academic progress.
Native American and Indigenous Studies Scholarship
Northwestern introduced this scholarship in the 2023–24 academic year to support undergraduate students working in Native American and Indigenous studies.
Applicants should demonstrate an outstanding commitment to Native American and Indigenous issues through areas such as knowledge of Indigenous history or culture or efforts to enhance Native American and Indigenous communities, culture and lifeways.
The award depends on the student’s financial need and replaces funds that would otherwise be received through a Northwestern University Scholarship.
The scholarship can be renewed for up to four years, subject to satisfactory academic progress.
Canning Scholarship
Beginning in the 2025–26 academic year, Northwestern introduced the Canning Scholarship through support from the Canning Foundation.
The programme provides need-based scholarships to graduates of selected Big Shoulders Fund partner high schools.
Eligibility
Applicants must graduate from one of the eligible Big Shoulders Fund partner high schools identified by Northwestern.
Award
The amount depends on the student’s demonstrated financial need under Northwestern’s need-based financial aid policies.
Renewal
The scholarship can be available for up to four years, provided the recipient maintains satisfactory academic progress.
How Scholarship Consideration Works
One important feature of Northwestern’s scholarship system is that students generally do not need to submit a separate application for every institutional scholarship.
Students applying for financial aid are automatically considered for the Northwestern scholarship programmes for which they qualify.
However, students should carefully review the eligibility requirements for specialized programmes such as QuestBridge, Chicago Star, Native American and Indigenous Studies, and the Canning Scholarship.
Applicants should also complete the university’s required financial aid application materials by the applicable deadlines.
Additional Information
Northwestern reports that it awarded more than $200 million in undergraduate financial assistance during 2023–24, while approximately half of undergraduates received a Northwestern University Scholarship.
The university also provides a Net Price Calculator to help prospective students estimate their potential costs and financial aid.
Northwestern University Scholarships – Official Information
Important: The scholarship amounts and eligibility rules can change. Applicants should always check Northwestern University’s official financial aid information and current application deadlines before applying.
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