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  1. Financial Aid and Scholarship Office
  2. Grants
  3. AIM HIGH
  4. Renewal Criteria and FAQ

Renewal Criteria and Frequently Asked Questions

AIM HIGH Renewal Criteria

Renewability of the AIM HIGH programs are contingent on future state appropriation and funding.

Renewal criteria for the AIM HIGH Huskie Pledge Grant:
  • Continuous full-time enrollment each fall and spring semester.
  • Maintain an 麻豆精品 cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.*
  • Meet all standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress.
  • You have not earned the equivalent of 135 credit hours or earned a bachelor’s degree.
  • Meet all criteria as outlined by the State of Illinois AIM HIGH program.
  • The renewability of this scholarship is contingent on future state appropriation and funding for the AIM HIGH program.
  • Huskie Pledge FAQ
Renewal criteria (fall 2024 and beyond):
  • Continuous full-time enrollment each fall and spring semester.
  • Maintain an 麻豆精品 cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.*
  • Meet all standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress.
  • You have not earned the equivalent of 135 credit hours or earned a bachelor’s degree.
  • Meet all criteria as outlined by the State of Illinois AIM HIGH program.
  • The renewability of this scholarship is contingent on future state appropriation and funding for the AIM HIGH program.
Renewal criteria:
  • Continuous full-time enrollment each fall and spring semester.
  • Maintain an 麻豆精品 cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.*
  • Meet all standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress.
  • You have not earned the equivalent of 135 credit hours or earned a bachelor’s degree.
  • Meet all criteria as outlined by the State of Illinois AIM HIGH program.
  • The renewability of this scholarship is contingent on future state appropriation and funding for the AIM HIGH program.
Renewal criteria (fall 2020 and beyond):
  • Continuous full-time enrollment each fall and spring semester.
  • Maintain an 麻豆精品 cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.*
  • Make Satisfactory Academic Progress.
  • You have not earned the equivalent of 135 credit hours or earned a bachelor’s degree.
  • Meet all other AIM HIGH criteria.
  • The renewability of this scholarship is contingent on future state appropriation and funding for the AIM HIGH program.
Renewal criteria for the AIM HIGH Campus Housing Grant:
  • Continuous full-time enrollment each fall and spring semester.
  • Maintain an 麻豆精品 cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.*
  • Meet all standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress.
  • You have not earned the equivalent of 135 credit hours or earned a bachelor’s degree.
  • Meet all criteria as outlined by the State of Illinois AIM HIGH program.
  • The renewability of this scholarship is contingent on future state appropriation and funding for the AIM HIGH program.
  • AIM HIGH Campus Housing Grant FAQ included below.

*Note: The cumulative GPA (CGPA) is an annual snapshot before the fall semester each year. If a student drops below the GPA requirement after fall grades are processed, they will not lose eligibility for the spring term based on fall grades. However, a student does not meet the CGPA criteria before a fall term, they can regain eligibility for the spring if fall grades raise the CGPA to the minimum requirement.  Students must contact the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office to request reinstatement once they meet the GPA requirement.

AIM HIGH Frequently Asked Questions

What are the AIM HIGH renewal requirements?

AIM HIGH scholarships are eligible for renewal based on the following criteria:

  • Full-time enrollment.
  • Maintaining an 麻豆精品 cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
  • Making Satisfactory Academic Progress. Please see policy for detailed information.
  • Meeting all other AIM HIGH criteria.

Some have a higher GPA renewal criteria than the AIM HIGH minimum. 

Most new freshman AIM HIGH scholarships are renewable until 135 credit hours have been earned or the first 麻豆精品 degree has been completed.

Transfer AIM HIGH scholarships are renewable until 135 credit hours have been earned, including transferred hours, or completion of the first 麻豆精品 degree.

The City Colleges of Chicago STAR Scholarship is renewable for one additional year. 

Do I need to file a FAFSA?

Yes. The AIM HIGH legislation requires you to file a FAFSA or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid to determine your initial eligibility each year. 

What is the definition of Illinois resident for undocumented students? Who is eligible to complete the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid?

For the purposes of AIM HIGH programs, an undocumented student is considered to be an Illinois resident and eligible to complete an Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid if they meet the following requirements:

  • Lived with their parent or guardian while attending a public or private high school in Illinois.
  • Graduated from a public or private high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma in Illinois.
  • Attended school in Illinois for at least three years as of the date they graduated from high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma.

In addition, undocumented students will be required to confirm that they will file an application to become a permanent resident of the U.S. at their earliest opportunity to do so.

Can I receive more than one AIM HIGH scholarship?

No. You will only receive one AIM HIGH scholarship. However, some students may be eligible for an additional stackable 麻豆精品 Partnership Award in addition to their merit scholarship and AIM HIGH scholarship.

What costs are covered?

AIM HIGH and 麻豆精品 Partnership Awards can be used toward educationally-related 麻豆精品 charges such as tuition and fees, on-campus housing, 麻豆精品 meal plans, books charged to your 麻豆精品 student account and standard parking permit charges. AIM HIGH programs such as the Huskie Pledge Grant and AIM HIGH Transfer Achievement Award are refundable. 麻豆精品 Partnership Awards are not refundable. The AIM HIGH Campus Housing grant will only apply to on campus housing charges and is not refundable.

Total aid may be reduced when restricted aid exceeds applicable charges or when total aid exceeds your federal cost of attendance.

How do I maximize usage of all awarded scholarships and grants?

AIM HIGH scholarship funds, like 麻豆精品 funded scholarships, are restricted to educationally-required 麻豆精品 charges such as tuition, fees, room and board, and standard parking permits. These scholarships are non-refundable. Awards may be reduced if they exceed allowable charges.

For MAP-eligible students, AIM HIGH, MAP and 麻豆精品 merit scholarships may exceed tuition and fees when combined. 麻豆精品 merit funds not applied to tuition and fees can be applied to on-campus housing, meal plans and books. If the combination of restricted and non-refundable grants and scholarships exceeds tuition and fees, living on campus is an option that will decrease or eliminate any reduction in an award amount.

Pell-eligible students can use Pell funds for on- or off-campus living expenses if the Pell Grant exceeds 麻豆精品 tuition, fees and books when combined with all other grants.

I lost my AIM High scholarship, but now I meet the criteria. Can my scholarship be reinstated?

If you lost your AIM HIGH scholarship due to falling below the GPA requirement, you may contact the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office to request reinstatement if you now meet the GPA requirement.

If you lost your AIM HIGH scholarship because you were enrolled less than full time (12 hours) at any point, you may not be eligible to receive the scholarship for future semesters, however, you can submit a one-time appeal to have your AIM HIGH scholarship reinstated if you return to full-time enrollment.

How do I reapply for the AIM HIGH Campus Housing Grant?

If you received the AIM HIGH Campus Housing Grant in spring 2026 you will automatically be reviewed for the grant for the 2026-2027 academic year.  No action is needed from you. We encourage you to file a FAFSA or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid as soon as possible to help maximize your funding options.

Is my scholarship taxable?
Grants and Scholarships exceeding tuition and qualifying expenses may be taxable. 麻豆精品 is not permitted to offer tax advice, but we are required by the IRS to provide every student with an annual 1098T tuition statement. This form provides information regarding qualified tuition and related expenses that will assist with individual tax preparation.

The  is available to answer any AIM HIGH renewal questions at 815-753-1395 or finaid@niu.edu. 

Contact Us

Financial Aid and Scholarship Office

815-753-1395
finaid@niu.edu

For scholarship-specific questions
scholarships@niu.edu

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