Your Gifts at Work: Financial Aid

This fall, Northwestern welcomed the Class of 2020, its most selective—and most diverse—class in history. Though only one in ten applicants was admitted, a record 17 percent of students are eligible to receive Pell grants, a federal award for low-income students. In addition, 22 percent of incoming freshmen are Hispanic or African American, and an additional 20 percent are Asian American.

Financial aid programs aim to ensure that academically qualified students from varied perspectives and backgrounds have a place at Northwestern, creating a more dynamic and enriching experience for every single student on campus. In the words of Northwestern University President Morton Schapiro, this commitment to financial aid gives “an opportunity to the most talented people in the country—and indeed the world—to make the difference that we know they’re capable of.”

The generosity of NU Loyal donors enables students not only to enroll, but to thrive at Northwestern, say University leaders. In fact, Northwestern stands among just 1 percent of private universities and colleges—approximately 30 schools nationwide—who offer need-blind admissions while also committing to meet the full financial need of every enrolled student.

Approximately 3,300 graduate and undergraduate students were supported by donor gifts for scholarships and fellowships during the 2015–16 academic year, and 62 percent of undergraduates currently receive financial aid. By giving consistently, NU Loyal members enable the University to make these life-changing commitments to students year after year.

Photo above: The Class of 2020 poses for a group photo at Chap and Ethel Hutcheson Field on the Evanston campus, September 2016. See a time-lapse video about the making of the class photo.