Scholarships

As a Raider, you'll receive at least $17,000 in Northwestern scholarships and grants. That's $68,000 over four years—guaranteed.

Scholarships

As a Raider, you'll receive at least $17,000 in Northwestern scholarships and grants. That's $68,000 over four years—guaranteed.

Scholarships

As a Raider, you'll receive at least $17,000 in Northwestern scholarships and grants. That's $68,000 over four years—guaranteed.

Academic scholarships

Our investment in you starts with a scholarship based on your high school GPA (or college if you’re transferring to Northwestern). Enter your GPA (and test score if you have one) to see what academic scholarship you'll receive:

ACT/SAT bonus

Northwestern is test-optional for applicants with a GPA ≥ 2.65. But it still benefits you to send us your scores.

Students who submit an ACT/SAT score ≤ 24/1190 by Dec. 31 receive a $500 score submission bonus.
Students who submit an ACT/SAT score 25 to 28/1200 to 1320 receive a $1,000 score submission bonus.
Students who submit an ACT/SAT score ≥ 29/1330 by Dec. 31 receive a $1,500 score submission bonus.

In addition, an ACT/SAT score is required for Honors Program eligibility. Eligible students will receive an invitation to apply from our Honors Program directors. Students accepted into the program are awarded a renewable $1,500 Honors Program Scholarship on top of the bonuses listed above. Learn more about Northwestern's Honors Program.

Northwestern is test-optional for applicants with a GPA ≥ 2.65. But it still benefits you to send us your scores.

Students who submit an ACT/SAT score ≤ 24/1190 by Dec. 31 receive a $500 score submission bonus.
Students who submit an ACT/SAT score 25 to 28/1200 to 1320 receive a $1,000 score submission bonus.
Students who submit an ACT/SAT score ≥ 29/1330 by Dec. 31 receive a $1,500 score submission bonus.

In addition, an ACT/SAT score is required for Honors Program eligibility. Eligible students will receive an invitation to apply from our Honors Program directors. Students accepted into the program are awarded a renewable $1,500 Honors Program Scholarship on top of the bonuses listed above. Learn more about Northwestern's Honors Program.

Northwestern is test-optional for applicants with a GPA ≥ 2.65. But it still benefits you to send us your scores.

Students who submit an ACT/SAT score ≤ 24/1190 by Dec. 31 receive a $500 score submission bonus.
Students who submit an ACT/SAT score 25 to 28/1200 to 1320 receive a $1,000 score submission bonus.
Students who submit an ACT/SAT score ≥ 29/1330 by Dec. 31 receive a $1,500 score submission bonus.

In addition, an ACT/SAT score is required for Honors Program eligibility. Eligible students will receive an invitation to apply from our Honors Program directors. Students accepted into the program are awarded a renewable $1,500 Honors Program Scholarship on top of the bonuses listed above. Learn more about Northwestern's Honors Program.

Athletic + esport scholarships

Scholarships are available for eligible student-athletes in sports and esports. Start by letting us know if you're interested in playing for the Raiders so our coaches can contact you.

Recruit me for athletics Recruit me for esports

Performing arts scholarships

Scholarships are available for students who want to participate in music, theatre or worship arts.

Recruit me for music Recruit me for theatre Recruit me for worship arts

Stand Out scholarships

Scholarships are available for students with the potential to enrich our campus community through their academic, leadership or mission gifts. Think you might be eligible? All you have to do is fill out an NWC application and tell us what you’re involved in and why you want to be part of our standout campus community.

More scholarship opportunities

Christian Nursing Scholarship

Application deadline: Jan. 8

For an incoming freshman intending to major in nursing who demonstrates a Christian commitment and shows evidence of financial need
3.0 GPA or higher
First preference to an incoming student from Illinois

Download application

Luke Scholarship (biology)

Application deadline: Nov. 15

For incoming freshmen with strong evidence of Christian faith and character in school, church and/or the community
Top 5% of high school class or minimum GPA of 3.8
Minimum ACT composite score of 28 (or comparable SAT score)
Intent to enter one of the following health science professions after graduating from Northwestern: physician (M.D. or D.O.), physician’s assistant, optometrist, dentist, podiatrist, or physical therapist
First preference to applicants who are pre-medicine student

Download application

James L. Franken Servant-Leadership Scholarship

Application deadline: Dec. 18

For incoming freshmen with outstanding leadership skills and a desire to grow as leaders
Must meet at least one of these two criteria:
- High school GPA ≥ 3.25 and ACT score (or SAT equivalent) of ≥ 23
- Graduation from a CAPS Network program

Download application

Vogel Paint/Iowa State Bank Scholarship

$1,500 annual scholarship available to a Vogel Paint or Iowa State Bank employee or dependent (students receiving the scholarship must re-apply each year)
Financial need is considered but is not a requirement
Must demonstrate the ability to achieve academic goals and exhibit evidence of a sincere Christian faith and character
Selection will be made by the financial aid office
To apply: Send a brief letter or email addressing the above qualifications by Jan. 13 to the director of financial aid at 101 7th St. SW, Orange City, IA, 51041.

Bridge Scholarships

Application deadline: Jan. 15

$2,500 scholarships available to students from historically underrepresented populations who are accepted into Northwestern’s Bridge Scholars program
To be eligible for the Bridge Scholars program, you must:
- Be a member of a historically underrepresented population living in the U.S.
- Have a high school GPA of at least 2.5
- Demonstrate academic and leadership potential as well as the desire and commitment to personal growth in college
Awarded annually to Bridge Scholars who maintain a college GPA of at least 2.5 and meet program participation requirements

Apply now

Military scholarships

Veterans or students active in the armed forces are eligible for Northwestern’s De Beer Legacy Veteran’s Scholarship, which ranges from $2,500 to $10,000 per year.
Contact Austin Nyhof at 712-707-7146 or anyhof@nwciowa.edu to learn more about your GI Bill benefits at Northwestern.

Scholarships for aspiring teachers

Other scholarship sources

Additional scholarship opportunities may be available through your high school, church, or businesses and service clubs in your community.
Bureau of Iowa College Aid
Iowa Student Loan Scholarships
Tuition Funding Sources
Scholarship Search by Sallie