DeKALB | AcademicWorks, an online scholarship search program, will be available by January to assist students with finding fall 2017 scholarships.

This system will prevent redundant processes like applying to scholarships one doesn’t qualify for. It will also allow students to obtain scholarship results faster, said Scholarship Office Director Anne Hardy.

Other services it will provide include webinars, which informs students about how to look for scholarships based on their needs. The program allows students to narrow their scholarship search based on these needs and guides them to the institutions the student is qualified for.

“The new system will be a great help, and if students have questions, they can come to the Scholarship Fair,” Hardy said.

Funding for scholarships come from donors like community members, NIU retired faculty and staff and alumni.

Students should be aware of scholarship deadlines and begin applying a year in advance, Hardy said. Most scholarships require an essay and will be awarded based on academic performance rather than work performance.

Available scholarships include merit scholarships, which assist recipients by funding their tuition, fees and room and board. Scholarships for students who are planning to study abroad are also available.

Senior accounting major Selena Saucedo was a recipient of the Northern Academic Scholarship in fall 2013. She has applied for other scholarships using the NIU scholarship search tool, which she said is a great resource.

“[Apply for scholarships] over winter break and always check with your major department for additional scholarships,” Saucedo said.

A search tool is available on the Scholarship Office’s website to find awards and check other departments for additional opportunities.

Students can also visit the Scholarship Office, Swen Parson Hall, Room 245K, to inquire about scholarships. A scholarship fair will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Holmes Students Center, Duke Ellington Ballroom.