For the last 25 years NIU’s University Honors Program has awarded scholarships to students academically qualified to hold the title of University Scholar.

To qualify for the scholarship the recipients must finish high school in the 95th percentile of their graduating class, or have a minimum grade point average of 3.5 at an Illinois community college. Their ACT scores also must be higher than 30. To maintain their scholarship they must maintain at least a 3.5 G.P.A while at NIU.

Marion Miller, director of the University Honors Program, said the University Scholars program is designed to attract the most talented students to NIU.

This year seven NIU freshmen students bear the title of University Scholar. They receive free room and board plus free tuition and a book waiver while they attend NIU.

There were also seven finalists who did not become University Scholars but received other awards. “These finalists receive free tuition and a $300-a-year grant and have to maintain a 3.0 G.P.A. to keep their awards,” Miller said.

To get the students interested in the scholarship Miller said, “we send out applications to high school and community college counselors and to top students who apply to Northern. We probably get 150 applications.”

The University Scholarship Committee, which consists of members from each college at NIU, makes the final decision on who will be interviewed. “We are looking for well-rounded students – not necessarily bookworms,” Miller said.

One of those student who received good news in the mail is Kevin Camden, who received a full scholarship. “My financial worries are pretty much over. It’s an excellent program (University Honors Program).”

Hilary Lee said she had found out about the scholarship while she and her mother were looking through an academic scholarship book. “I called the school and they sent the application. I was very surprised and very happy when I received my scholarship. I’m the oldest of six children and paying for college was going to be a strain on my parents,” she said.

Christopher Winters said “It (the scholarship) pays for everything and that’s why I’m going to NIU. My family couldn’t afford the tuition and this allows me to save my money and get a head start on life.”