One Million Degrees Scholarship

Overview:

In partnership with One Million Degrees, National Louis University will offer two full last dollar tuition scholarships for the 2022-2023 academic year. The scholarships will be renewable for up to three years to a transfer student who is a One Million Degrees Scholar and has earned an Associate’s Degree. One will be for NLU’s Chicago campus and one for NLU’s Wheeling campus. Deadline to apply: May 15, 2022. Scholarship decisions will be made by June 1, 2022.

One Million Degrees Scholarship Requirements 

• Open to transfer students who completed all program requirements for One Million Degrees and will be graduating with an associate degree from a partner institution by June 2022.
• Enroll full-time (15 quarter hours) in any National Louis University undergraduate degree program offered at the Wheeling or Chicago campus with the intention to start during the Fall 2021 term.
• Commit to participate in the Braven Career Accelerator to meet NLU’s career development coursework requirements (to be held one evening per week during the Winter academic quarter).
• One scholarship will be awarded to a student attending NLU’s Wheeling campus, and one will be awarded to a student attending NLU’s Chicago campus.
• Have a 2.75 or higher transfer GPA.
• FAFSA https://studentaid.gov/ or the Alternative Application https://studentportal.isac.org/en/alternativeapp must be completed; student must be a US citizen, eligible non-citizen, or meet the criteria for the RISE Act.
• Support the growth of Direct to Success (D2S) at NLU by serving as an alumni representative of OMD (less than two hours a quarter).

How a One Million Degrees Scholar can Apply

• Apply to NLU online at nl.edu/apphub.  
• Fill out the scholarship application online.
• At least one letter of recommendation from a professional or academic reference is required.
• An essay is required. Your essay should address the following questions: 
• 1) Direct to Success is a new program at NLU committed to support students transferring directly after earning an Associate’s degree to earn their Bachelor’s degree and achieve career success. How do you see yourself being an ambassador of the Direct to Success program and a student leader on the National Louis campus? 
• 2) Describe one example of a leadership role you have taken at school, at work, in your family, or in your community? What role did you play, and describe the impact you have had?
• 3) What is your intended major, and what future goals do you have for yourself after you earn your Bachelor’s degree?
• The student should complete the 2021-22 FAFSA at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa and indicate NLU’s school code 001733.
• Any questions regarding the scholarship can be directed to Jennifer Robin, Director of Transfer Strategy at jrobin@nl.edu. 

Benefits of Direct to Success at NLU

1. Great value: Under the Direct to Success at NLU program, students who qualify are eligible for a reduced tuition rate of $14,535 Per Year to complete a bachelor’s degree at NLU, a 25% reduction from NLU’s transfer tuition rate. The OMD/NLU scholarship is a last dollar scholarship and reduces the net tuition cost for a student down to $0. It is applied AFTER federal and state grants are applied (if awardee is eligible).
2. Generous credit transfer and seamless transfer experience: Dedicated advising from NLU while enrolled at your community college with generous acceptance of transfer credit, incl. IL Articulation Initiative-aligned GenEd requirements.
3. Convenient, predictable schedule: Full-time academic course sequence enabling you to graduate within 2 years and maximize financial aid. The program offers a predictable, convenient schedule tailored to working adult students, blending campus-based and online instruction to meet your needs, thereby limiting the amount of time one has to spend on campus.
4. Career acceleration: Integrated career development starting your first quarter at NLU, including a dedicated Career Advisor with expertise in your major and the opportunity to participate in the Braven career accelerator, a best-in-class program to help you launch your career. Continuous job placement support during your last year at NLU and post graduation will help you achieve your professional goals.
5. Support to succeed: Small class sizes fueled by active learning and taught by expert faculty. A structured, co-curricular third year experience to ensure a smooth transition to NLU, including a dedicated Transfer Student Support Center with academic and wraparound support tailored to your busy schedule, offering daytime, evening, and virtual hours.
6. Inclusive community: A diverse and transfer-receptive school community dedicated to social belonging, racial equity, and empowering student voice through engagement.

Ongoing Scholarship Criteria

The following criteria apply to maintain the scholarship: 

• The scholarship can be awarded until the student has reached 180 quarter hours (120 semester hours) of combined transfer and institutional coursework
• Enroll for at least 10 quarter hours per term (summer enrollment not required)
• The scholarship will cover up to 15 quarter hours per term
• Students must maintain a 2.50 or higher cumulative GPA to remain eligible
• Students are only eligible for one institutional resource per academic year
• Any grants or outside scholarships received will be applied first and the OMD/NLU scholarship will cover any unmet tuition charges
• Student must fill out the FAFSA or the Alternative Application by November 15th of each year
• Student must complete all financial aid verification requirements, if selected
• Students must adhere to the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy of National Louis University
• Students must adhere to all the University policies noted in the Catalog in order to remain eligible to receive NLU Scholarships

Please Note: All National Louis scholarships require U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status. Undocumented students may apply if they meet the criteria for the RISE Act. Undocumented students are also encouraged to apply for TheDream.US scholarship and the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid.