Now is the time of year students across the country are searching for various ways to pay for their tuition. NIU students are no different. While it seems as though most scholarships are based on financial need, NIU offers several scholarships and tuition waivers for academics.

There are several scholarships and tuition waivers offered to students through the university. Some are offered through academic departments, while others are offered through the admissions department and other organizations.

NIU also offers minority scholarships. Among these scholarships are those that are offered to minority students based on academic performance, not financial need.

To be considered for a minority academic scholarship a student must be in the top third of his or her class and have at least a 21 on the ACT, said Bob Burk, associate director of admissions.

“The reason we offer these scholarships is because we want to attract top_quality minority students to the institution,” Burk said. “The university is still not as diversified as we would like it to be and this is a way to attract minorities.”

The scholarships are given to students as early as April to use as a “recruiting tool,” Burks said.

The admissions department has awarded 137 tuition waivers to new students this year.

According to Joanne Ganshirt, secretary in the University Honors Program, the university offers specific scholarships based on academic performance for all students. Among these scholarships are the University Scholar, which requires a 3.3 grade point average, the Academic Finalist tuition waiver, which requires 3.0 grade point average, and the Honors Merit, which calls for a 3.5 grade point average.

Various departments also offer scholarships, particularly in departments where a certain type of student is uncommon.

“Programs where some students are under represented have some sort of scholarship,” Burk said. “For example, the college of engineering may have some sort of scholarship for women.”