For more than a century, Northeastern Illinois University has been committed to preparing high quality educators — and to making educator preparation affordable and accessible to all. That’s why U.S. News & World Report has ranked us for nine years in a row as graduating students with the least amount of student debt among Midwest regional universities.

Scholarships are one of the most important tools for making education affordable. In addition to offering scholarships funded by the federal government and the state of Illinois, the Goodwin College of Education annually distributes more than $95,000 in scholarships that have been generously provided by alumni and other benefactors. Explore below the many different scholarships that we offer.

Scholarships for Teacher Preparation Students – Undergraduate and Graduate

DANIEL L. GOODWIN SCHOLARSHIP

The Daniel L. Goodwin Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to College of Education students in majors and programs leading to teaching license. Eligible candidates have cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, evidence of satisfactory progress toward a degree, and demonstrated financial need. Annually, Goodwin College of Education emails the application opportunity directly to eligible students.  

Scholarships for Undergraduates Only

Daniel L. Goodwin College of Education UNDERGRADUATE Merit Tuition Scholarship

Each semester, the Goodwin College of Education provides merit scholarships for undergraduates in any teaching or non-teaching major declared in GCOE. Requirements: cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, completed 60 credit hours, officially declared major, and submission of an essay. Learn more.

Brommel-Miller Teaching As Transformation Scholarship

The Brommel-Miller Teaching as Transformation Scholarship is an endowed scholarship available to sophomore, junior and senior students majoring in K-12 education. Selection is based on merit/academic excellence. To be considered, you must be enrolled full-time at Northeastern Illinois University, and you must have a minimum grade point average of 3.5.

Scholarships for Graduate Students Only

Graduate Merit Tuition Scholarships

For graduate students, merit tuition scholarships are offered through Northeastern's College of Graduate Studies and Research. For details, contact your program advisor or the College of Graduate Studies and Research.

Scholarships for Diverse Teacher Candidates

Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship Program

If you plan to teach at a nonprofit Illinois public, private, or parochial preschool, elementary school, or secondary school, for which the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has determined that no less than 30 percent of the enrolled students are African American/Black, Hispanic American, Asian American, or Native American; and you are of African American/Black, Hispanic American, Asian American or Native American origin, then you may qualify for up to $5,000 per year as part of the Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship Program.

Dr. Santos Rivera ENLACE Scholarship

The Dr. Santos Rivera ENLACE Scholarship is available to students currently enrolled and in good standing with a 3.00 or higher cumulative GPA at Northeastern Illinois University; enrolled in a degree program through the Department of Counselor Education; has unmet financial need. Preference shall be to given to students who are single parents or legal guardians.

Scholarships for Counseling Majors

JAMES A. FRUEHLING SCHOLARSHIP IN COUNSELOR EDUCATION

The James A. Fruehling Scholarship is available to graduate students who have unmet financial need and are currently enrolled and in good standing with a 3.00 or higher cumulative GPA in a degree program offered through Northeastern’s Department of Counselor Education. Preference is given to students who are single parents or legal guardians.

MARY and NORMAN BOWERS SCHOLARSHIP IN COUNSELOR EDUCATION

The Mary and Norman Bowers Scholarship is available to graduate students who have unmet financial need and are currently enrolled and in good standing with a 3.00 or higher cumulative GPA in a degree program offered through Northeastern’s Department of Counselor Education. Preference is given to Asian American students and other students of color.

Scholarships for Early Childhood Education Majors

EARLY CHILDHOOD ACCESS CONSORTIUM FOR EQUITY (ECACE) SCHOLARSHIP

If you work or have worked in early childhood education and you're seeking additional credentials and/or a degree in early childhood education, you may be eligible for the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship Program. The program was created to address the shortage of qualified early childhood educators by providing full tuition scholarships and other support to qualified candidates. Download the flyer about the program. Questions about the scholarship should be directed to teacher-education@neiu.edu.

Marion L. Molyneaux Scholarship

Available to Early Childhood Education majors. Must be currently enrolled for full-time or half-time. This scholarship can be awarded based on financial need and/or academic merit. Annually, Goodwin College of Education emails the application opportunity directly to eligible students.  

Scholarships for Elementary, Middle Level and Special Education Majors

Dr. Olga Kaszubowski Memorial Scholarship

The Dr. Olga Kaszubowski Memorial Scholarship Fund provides an annual scholarship toward tuition and fees for one academic year. Undergraduate or graduate students who have been admitted to the Goodwin College of Education or College of Graduate Studies and Research and have declared a major in Elementary Education, Elementary Education with Bilingual Endorsement, Middle Level Education, or Special Education are eligible to apply. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA at least 3.0. Preference will be given to applicants of Eastern European descent, and/or veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces of any nationality. Descent is defined as having a parent, grandparent or great-grandparent who can trace his or her ancestry to one of the Eastern European countries. Additionally, preference will be given to applicants with concentrations in the sciences. Annually, Goodwin College of Education emails the application opportunity directly to eligible students.  

Mark Zinman Endowed Scholarship (For Special Education Majors)

The Mark Zinman Endowed Scholarship (for Special Education majors) has been established in the memory of Mr. Mark S. Zinman who studied at Northeastern Illinois University and became a special education major at Illinois State University. He always had a great affinity for children, especially those with special needs, and to provide financial support to a deserving student.

KAY HILTON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

The Kay Hilton Memorial Scholarship provides financial support for undergraduate students with a declared major in Elementary Education. Candidates must be in a good academic standing at NEIU, and may be enrolled full- or part-time. Annually, Goodwin College of Education emails the application opportunity directly to eligible students.  

Scholarships For Human Resource Development Majors

CHICAGOLAND LEARNING LEADERS RIGHTSTART4KIDS SCHOLARSHIP

The Executive Learning Exchange's Chicagoland Learning Leaders RightStart4Kids Scholarship provides undergraduate students, sophomore status or above, an award toward tuition to pursue a major in Human Resource Development.

Scholarships For Physical Education and Exercise Science Majors

CHARLES G. KANE EXERCISE SCIENCE GRADUATE AWARD

This endowed scholarship is available to graduate students pursuing their M.S. in Exercise Science. Applicants must be in their final spring semester of studies and must be expected to earn the degree in three calendar years or less. Applicants must have no more than one grade below “A” and no grade below “B” in their major coursework and must have demonstrated leadership qualities during their time in the program, including intra-and/or extra-University service. Applicants must also be current members of the American College of Sports Medicine and/or the American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance and must possess outstanding potential as a professional within the exercise science-related fields.

CHUCK KANE MEMORIAL AWARD

This endowed scholarship was created in memory of the late Northeastern professor and athletic instructor, Mr. Charles G. Kane, for whom the annual Chuck Kane Memorial Golf Outing is held. The scholarship is available to seniors majoring in Physical Education who have a cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.0 or higher. Qualified applicants must have demonstrated superior potential for teaching and a willingness to help others, have exemplary leadership qualities and attained a high degree of competency in a variety of sports with active participation in school organizations.

Gus Ziagos Memorial Scholarship

The Gus Ziagos Memorial Scholarship is an endowed award available to students majoring in Physical Education who have earned a minimum Grade Point Average of 2.75. Faculty members of the Department of Health Science and Physical Education should nominate students for consideration and must submit full letters of recommendation to assist consideration. Students may win this award more than once through the nomination process.

Scholarships For Secondary Education Majors

DR. JUNE VERBILLION ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

The Dr. June Verbillion Endowed Scholarship provides financial support to graduate students in Secondary Education M.A.T or TLP programs. Preference is given to students in Language Art/English areas. Annually, Goodwin College of Education emails the application opportunity directly to eligible students.  

Grants and Forgivable Loans

GROW YOUR OWN ILLINOIS

In addition to a forgivable loan, Grow Your Own (GYO) Illinois provides academic and career support to teacher candidates who commit to teaching for at least five years in a hard-to-staff public school. Learn more about the program and the longstanding partnership with the Goodwin College of Education.

FEDERAL TEACHER LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM

Under the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program, if you teach full-time for five complete and consecutive academic years in a low-income school or educational service agency, and meet other qualifications, you may be eligible for forgiveness of up to $17,500 on your Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans and your Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans. Northeastern's Financial Aid can help you decide if this is a good program for you.

TEACH GRANT PROGRAM

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides grants of up to $4,000 per year to students who agree to teach for four years at an elementary school, secondary school or educational service agency that serves students from low-income families. You also will need to meet other requirements, which are outlined in this fact sheet. The terms and conditions of this teaching service obligation are explained in the TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve that you must sign before you receive a TEACH Grant. See more information in the TEACH Grant Fact Sheet. Northeastern's Financial Aid can help you decide if this is a good program for you.

Student Research Travel Award

NEIU Student Research Travel Award

Northeastern undergraduate and graduate students presenting their original work at academic conferences can apply for an NEIU Foundation Student Research Travel Award. These awards are made possible by private contributions to the NEIU Leader Fund and provide funding for major travel expenses such as airfare, hotel/lodging and conference registration. All Northeastern students are eligible to apply. 

Other Educator Scholarships (External)

See the currently available professional educator scholarships available through other organizations. Last updated Fall 2019.