Skip to main content

Evanston High School Student Access to Northwestern

Northwestern Campus on lake

Commitment Overview

Under the Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) between Northwestern University and the City of Evanston, Northwestern has committed to enhancing efforts to increase the applications and admittance of Evanston high school students to the university. To support this goal, Northwestern has established a fund of at least $2,000,000 per year to award financial aid to Evanston students, helping to ensure that a Northwestern education is accessible to qualified local students regardless of their financial situation.

Objectives and Goals

  • Increase Accessibility: Provide financial assistance to Evanston high school students, with the goal of removing financial barriers to attending Northwestern University.
  • Strengthen Community Relations: Foster stronger relationships between Northwestern and the Evanston community by providing opportunities for local students to pursue higher education at the university.

Financial Aid Program Overview and Impact

The financial aid fund for Evanston students is part of Northwestern's broader commitment to need-based aid. The university offers a variety of scholarships and grants to ensure affordability for students from our local community. The Northwestern University Scholarship, Endowed Scholarships, and other aid programs aim to meet the demonstrated financial need of students, covering tuition, room, board, and other expenses. Students from Evanston high schools are encouraged to apply, and if eligible, will automatically be considered for these scholarships.

In the 2023-2024 academic year, Northwestern University enrolled 71 students from Evanston Township High School (ETHS), including 19 new first-year students. The university provided $2,064,972 in scholarships and grants to support these students, demonstrating a strong commitment to making higher education accessible to the Evanston community.