Financial Resources
We understand - paying for college isn't easy
Paying for college can seem like an uphill battle. But NIU and the College of Education offer a variety of ways to help you financially so you can focus on progressing to degree completion and, ultimately, succeeding and leading in your career and community.
Project Graduate Program
We know that financial situations arise that ultimately can stand between you and your ability to complete your degree and graduate. If you find yourself in a crisis financial situation and have exhausted other options (including available loans), please know that we will try our best to assist.
Our Project Graduate program financially assists undergraduate students who are within four semesters of graduation or graduate students within two semesters of graduation so they can cross the finish line. All Project Graduate awards must be for academically related expenses and cannot be awarded to support non-academic, personal expenses. All students must be in good academic standing to be considered for the awards.
Because academic financial crisis situations can arrive without warning, you can apply for Project Graduate funds at any time. You can expect a response from a member of the college leadership team within 48 hours of your request.
Project Graduate is available because of thoughtful contributions from many alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the college. Additional Project Graduate awards are made possible thanks to generous funding established by Don Hatch (Hatch Project Graduate Fund), Jerry and Annette Johns (Johns Project Graduate Fund) and Jennifer Mansfield (Mansfield Family Legacy Scholarship).
Scholarships
As an incoming College of Education student, you are automatically considered for university merit-based scholarships.
You are also eligible to apply for additional NIU and College of Education scholarships as soon as you've been admitted, and our college offers more than 50 donor-funded scholarships.
You can apply for scholarships through MyScholarships, administered by the NIU Financial Aid and Scholarship Office. January 31 is a common application deadline for scholarships.
Funding Opportunities for Future Teachers
Illinois Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver Program
- Qualify for a waiver of all tuition and mandatory fees.
- Eligibility and requirements:
- Enroll in a special education program for initial teacher licensure as an undergraduate or graduate student.
- Teach full-time for two years in an Illinois school as a special educator.
- Qualify for loan forgiveness of up to $4,000 per year.
- Eligibility and requirements:
- Complete FAFSA.
- Enroll in coursework necessary to begin a career in teaching as an undergraduate, graduate or post-baccalaureate student.
- Teach full-time for four years in a high-need field that serves low-income students in the United States.
Learn more about the TEACH Federal Grant Program.
- Qualify for up to $7,500 towards total cost of attendance after other financial aid received.
- Eligibility and requirements:
- be a member of the incumbent early childhood workforce.
- Enroll in a licensure or non-licensure program at an ECACE member institution. NIU is a member institution offering two eligible programs of study.
- Continue or return to teaching in the early childhood care and education field in Illinois after program completion.
Learn more about the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity.
Additional Resources
For further information on additional education scholarships for which you may be eligible, you may wish to contact the following resources:
Contact Us
College of Education
Office for Student Success
Gabel Hall 138
coestudentsuccess@niu.edu
Sarah George, office manager
815-753-1948
Megan Gerken, placement coordinator
coe_placements@niu.edu
Hours
Monday-Friday
8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.