Scholarships

Access to a world-class education shouldn’t depend on one’s financial circumstances. This is a core belief at Northwestern, and meeting our students’ financial need is one of the University’s biggest priorities. In the 2024–25 academic year, Northwestern provided more than $307 million in undergraduate financial aid—up significantly from what we were able to offer just a few years ago.

It’s only through the generosity of our alumni and friends that we’re able to fulfill this commitment. Gifts to scholarships help empower students to thrive today and for generations to come, as well as enrich our entire campus community by fostering a vibrant environment where everyone can excel.

Direct your gift to a particular endowed scholarship, or give to the Undergraduate Scholarship Fund, which provides financial support to students across the University. A minimum of $250,000 is required to establish an endowed undergraduate scholarship that can be awarded to any enrolled student, and a minimum of $500,000 is required to establish an endowed undergraduate scholarship that can be awarded to students who meet certain criteria.

Supporters who make leadership gifts of $1,000 or more annually to University Scholarships are recognized with membership in the 1851 Society.