Northern Illinois University: student discounts, grants and aid

Northern Illinois University is a public four-year college in Dekalb, Illinois. Illinois residents studying here may qualify for 21 state grants and scholarships, and every student can use our 212 checked student discounts. Here's what applies, from official sources.

What it costs, by the numbers

Average net price: $13,391 a yearWhat first-time, full-time students who get grant aid pay after grants and scholarships. Families earning under $30,000: $10,126.
Tuition and fees: $13,248 a yearThe sticker price, before any aid.
Students with a Pell Grant: 47% of undergraduatesA Pell Grant is federal money you don't pay back. File the FAFSA to see if you qualify.
Typical debt at graduation: $22,162 in federal loans (median)

Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (data released 2026-06). Your own price depends on your aid: try the school's net price calculator.

Illinois FAFSA deadline (2027-28)

ASAP After Oct. 1, 2026

For the Monetary Award Program, submit your FAFSA form as soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2026. Aid is awarded until all funds run out. Visit isac.org for more information.

Every state's FAFSA deadline →

Illinois grants and scholarships you can use here

For Illinois residents. Each one is checked against its official page.

Monetary Award Program (MAP) Grantup to $8,400 per year (tuition and mandatory fees only)
AIM HIGH Grant Programvaries by university
Higher Education License Plate (HELP) Programvaries; tuition and mandatory fees only

For specific fields of study

Nursing, teaching and other careers. Some pay for school in exchange for working in that job afterward.

Nursing Education Scholarship (NES)up to $9,238 or $18,856 per year (2026-27), depending on program
Illinois Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver (SETTW) Programtuition and mandatory fees waived (up to 4 years)
Podiatric Medicine Scholarship Programfull tuition, matriculation fees and a living stipend (up to 4 years)
School Social Work Scholarshiptuition and mandatory fees (capped at the most expensive comparable Illinois public-university program)
Teachers of Illinois Scholarship Programup to the total cost of attendance (minus MAP grant)

For specific students

Military families, foster youth, certain careers and more. Each page says who qualifies.

And 3 more on the state page.

Live somewhere else?

State grants usually follow where you live, not where your school is. Many states let residents use their aid only at in-state colleges, so check your own state: find money you qualify for, or see federal aid open to everyone.

All Illinois grants and scholarships →

Student discounts for Northern Illinois University students

Verify once with your @niu.edu school email to unlock the deals that need student verification. Create a free account.

See all 212 student discounts →

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