Unlocking Higher Education: Understanding AIM HIGH Scholarship Eligibility
The AIM HIGH Scholarship, funded by the State of Illinois, represents a significant investment in the future of Illinois students. This merit-based grant program aims to encourage Illinois students to pursue higher education within the state, improve college affordability, and reduce the burden of student loan debt. Understanding the eligibility requirements is crucial for students seeking to benefit from this opportunity.
Purpose and Goals of the AIM HIGH Scholarship
The AIM HIGH Grant program, initiated in the award year 2019-2020, is designed to provide merit-based awards to undergraduate students. The program's central goals are to encourage Illinois students to attend in-state universities, make college more affordable, and alleviate student loan debt. The AIM HIGH Scholarship, funded by the State of Illinois, provides merit-based awards to undergraduate students.
Key Eligibility Requirements
Several key criteria determine a student's eligibility for the AIM HIGH Scholarship. These encompass residency, academic achievement, and financial need.
Residency and High School Attendance
To be eligible for the AIM HIGH Scholarship, students must have attended an Illinois high school and be a resident of the state of Illinois.
Financial Need
Demonstrating financial need is a crucial aspect of AIM HIGH Scholarship eligibility. Applicants must file a 2025-26 FAFSA or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid and demonstrate need with household income no greater than eight times the poverty guidelines. To be eligible, have a household income at or below eight times the poverty level. This information will be collected on the FAFSA. 2024 income will be used to determine 2026-2027 eligibility based on the chart below.
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FAFSA Filing
For consideration, the FAFSA or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid should be completed by our preferred filing date. Funding is awarded based on FAFSA filing date. If you haven’t already, please complete your FAFSA as soon as possible after the December launch to ensure consideration. File your FAFSA online or with the new app, myStudentAid. Using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool will make it fast and easy (SIUE FAFSA code: 001759). Transfer students, your hard work pays off. File a FAFSA or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid by the February 1, 2026 priority deadline. **NIU will continue to offer AIM HIGH programs on a rolling basis after the priority deadline as funds remain available.
Institutional Admission
Be admitted to GSU. Yes.
Scholarship Amount & Usage
The Governors State AIM HIGH funds are intended to offset tuition and mandatory fees before all other merit and gift aid is applied to a student’s account. Additional aid such as loans and student employment can also be received in order to assist in paying other educational expenses such as room and board, supplies, and other personal or miscellaneous expenses.
Renewal Criteria
Understanding the renewal criteria is essential for students who wish to continue receiving the AIM HIGH Scholarship throughout their undergraduate studies.
Continuous Enrollment
You are eligible for the program for up to eight continuous semesters (Spring and Fall), so long as you meet the renewal criteria.
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Funding Availability
AIM HIGH Scholarship renewal awards are contingent on funding availability.
Consistency
Renewal criteria will not change once awards have been made.
Institutional Matching Funds
Each school must provide new financial aid funding to match a portion of the AIM HIGH Grant funding provided by the State of Illinois. Illinois State will match the state funding with the Redbird Scholarship and Jesse W. Fell Scholarship. Through a powerful partnership with the State of Illinois' AIM HIGH program, NIU is making college more affordable for Illinois students.
Additional Opportunities at NIU
NIU has also set additional eligibility criteria within the state parameters. Zero tuition and fees for your first year at NIU-and potentially beyond. Available to Illinois high school graduates with a 3.0+ GPA and family income under $115,000. Build your future with a $4,000 scholarship ($1,000 annually for four years) for eligible students graduating from Chicago Public Schools or a DeKalb County high school.
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