NLU Donor-Funded Scholarship Application Process

We are now accepting applications for 2021-2022.

Scholarship Donor List

Review the Donor-Funded Scholarship List, 2021-22 and determine for which scholarships you meet the eligibility criteria. Students are strongly encouraged to select all scholarships for which they are eligible.  Once you have determined your eligibility, complete the online application using the instructions below. The application deadline is July 1, 2021.

Application Instructions

‌‌Step 1: The Essay

A single essay is used for all scholarships for which you are applying. The essay is a significant consideration in the scholarship award process.  Please submit a one-to-three-page essay and include your name and NLU ID number on each page.

Your essay should address the following question: "What do you want to accomplish with your NLU degree?"

It is essential your essay details distinctive service-related contributions that you have made prior to or during your time at NLU.  Since there are many candidates with high academic standing, be sure to address the special considerations that make you particularly worthy of receiving this scholarship (e.g., accomplishments, personal challenges, need). 

If you need assistance writing your essay, make an appointment to meet with a writing specialist either in-person or online using the drop-off essay review online submission form.  Contact Learning Support at learn@nl.edu or by phone at 312-261-3374 with questions.

The deadline to request essay assistance is June 15, 2021.

Step 2: The Resume

Submitting your resume is required, and is an opportunity to highlight any accomplishments that make you an ideal donor scholarship recipient. Examples of additional resume sections might include Honors, Activities, Achievements, Foreign Languages Spoken or Volunteer Experience.

The Career Development Office can assist with resume writing. Contact them at careerbridge@nl.edu or 312-261-3270 to schedule a resume review. To ensure all students who would like assistance are able to be serviced, resume reviews will not be scheduled after June 15, 2021.

Step 3: The Letter of Recommendation

You must submit one letter of recommendation from an NLU faculty member, adjunct faculty member, or former high school teacher, mentor, advisor, or employer.  The letter should be emailed by the professor, former teacher, mentor, advisor, or employer directly to stapplications@nl.edu. Please request the letter of recommendation well in advance of the application deadline, July 1, 2021.

Step 4: The Application

The Donor-Funded Scholarship Application can be found online by clicking here.  Please note that students applying for the P.A.C.E. scholarships should contact P.A.C.E. to complete a separate application process.

Review the general eligibility requirements for Donor-Funded Scholarships:

• Demonstrate evidence of academic achievement
• Be enrolled for the upcoming summer and/or fall terms.

If you meet these requirements, complete the first two sections of the scholarship application: Contact Information and Student Profile.

Review the Donor-Funded Scholarship List, 2021-22 and determine for which scholarships you meet the eligibility criteria. When completing the online application, select these scholarships from your respective Undergraduate College, College of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, National College of Education, School of Business and Information Technology, or Kendall College program. Students are encouraged to select all for which they meet the eligibility criteria.

Note: Each scholarship has specific requirements, so applicants should be sure they are eligible for all scholarships for which they are applying, and also applying to all scholarships for which they are eligible.  If you need assistance determining your eligibility for certain scholarships, please contact your academic advisor or student success coach.

Once you have completed the application, read the information at the bottom of the application page. If you agree, sign the application at the bottom of the page and hit “submit” to complete your submission by the July 1, 2021 deadline.

Final Considerations:

You must have completed your scholarship application by the July 1, 2021 deadline to be considered for the 2021-2022 scholarships. Late or incomplete submissions will not be reviewed. Questions can be directed to stscholarships@nl.edu.  Please note that NLU Scholarships only cover tuition charges and are not refundable to the student.  Students must adhere to all the University policies noted in the Catalog in order to remain eligible to receive NLU Scholarships.

Important: Students awarded a scholarship are required to write a thank you letter to the donor responsible for donating such scholarship funds to NLU, in order to have scholarship funds applied to their account.  Instructions on where to direct the thank you notes will be provided to scholarship recipients when they are notified they have been selected for an award. 

Please Note:  International students who meet the criteria may apply to receive the NLU Alumni Scholarship and PTK Scholarship. Students in our P.A.C.E. program may apply for P.A.C.E.-specific scholarships. Students who are employees or dependents of employees receiving a tuition waiver are not eligible.