Northeastern University Scholarships (2026–2027)
← Back to college scholarships hub • See Massachusetts aid & Grants
Last Updated on April 1, 2026- Tuition, housing, and average family net price
- Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
- Flagship and hidden-gem awards
- Honors and stacking strategy
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~5%
- Middle 50% ACT: 34
- Middle 50% SAT: 1485
- Average GPA: 3.9
- Below the typical ranges: This is a very high reach. With an admit rate around 5%, even strong students should treat Northeastern as a lottery-style school and build a balanced list.
- In the typical ranges: Still a reach. You’ll need strong academics plus compelling activities, essays, and demonstrated interest to stand out.
- Well above the ranges: You’re competitive, but not safe. Merit is limited and selective—this is more about admission first, money second.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
📌 Northeastern University at a Glance
- No automatic merit: All scholarships are competitive and tied to admission—there’s no predictable grid or guaranteed award.
- Extremely low acceptance rate: Around 5%, which means even top students regularly get denied.
- High cost + CSS Profile required: As a private school, Northeastern requires both FAFSA and CSS Profile—and the starting price is high before aid.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — Northeastern University is test-optional.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 34; SAT: 1485.
Average net price? About $34,770/yearyear after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity? No — private school; same rate for all.
Northeastern merit scholarships overview: https://admissions.northeastern.edu/tuition-aid/undergraduate-scholarships/
Stamps Scholars – Northeastern partner page: https://www.stampsscholars.org/our-schools/northeastern-university/
Torch Scholars official program site: https://torch.northeastern.edu/
Honors scholarships and awards page: https://honors.northeastern.edu/scholarships-awards/
Honors Global Support Fund page: https://honors.northeastern.edu/global-support-fund/
Martinson Global Grants information page: https://honors.northeastern.edu/martinson-global-grants/
Northeastern National Scholars (National Recognition) page: https://admissions.northeastern.edu/tuition-aid/undergraduate-scholarships/national-scholars/
Northeastern College of Engineering NU-FIRST page: https://coe.northeastern.edu/admissions/aid-scholarships/nu-first/
Northeastern Undergraduate Research and Fellowships (PEAK) page: https://undergraduate.northeastern.edu/research-and-fellowships/
Ujima Global Leaders Program site: https://jdoaai.sites.northeastern.edu/ujima-global-leaders-program/
Northeastern Veterans & Yellow Ribbon information: https://military.northeastern.edu/education-benefits/
CollegeScorecard / Admissions: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
💰 Cost of Attendance at Northeastern University 2026-2027
📅 2026–2027 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2025–2026). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once official 2026–2027 numbers are released.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
| Category (2026–2027) | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters) | $67,990 | $67,990 |
| Housing & Meals (typical) | $22,048 | $22,048 |
| Total (Direct Costs) | $90,038 | $90,038 |
Average Federal Net Price: $34,770 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
Cost of Attendance FAQs
Who qualifies for in-state tuition at Northeastern?
Since Northeastern is private, there’s no difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition—all students pay the same base rate.
How much do most families really pay?
The federal net price of $34,770 is the average after scholarships and grants. Your cost may be higher or lower depending on your family’s income and aid package.
Do I need the FAFSA or CSS Profile?
Yes. Northeastern requires both the CSS Profile and FAFSA for financial aid consideration, and some academic scholarships also hinge on submitting the CSS Profile on time.
https://admissions.northeastern.edu/cost-financial-aid/
https://studentfinance.northeastern.edu/applying-for-aid/undergraduate/admitted-students/
https://studentfinance.northeastern.edu/applying-for-aid/international-students/
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/northeastern-university/tuition-and-costs
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?167358-Northeastern-University=
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Merit Finalist Scholarship | Typically $5,000–$10,000 per year* | Admitted National Merit Finalists who designate Northeastern as their first choice | No | Yes (good standing required) | Finalists admitted to NU who file first-choice designation by March 1 | March 1 (National Merit designation) |
| National Recognition Program Scholarship | Estimated $5,000–$15,000 per year* | Admitted students with College Board National Recognition (first-gen, rural, Hispanic, etc.) | No (email documentation to admissions) | Yes (good standing required) | Admits with official designation who submit proof by priority date | Feb 1 (for priority scholarship consideration) |
Northeastern participates in the National Merit Scholarship program.
Automatic Merit FAQs
Do I need a separate application for merit scholarships?
No. With the exception of special programs like Torch Scholars, most Northeastern merit awards are considered automatically during admission.
Does Northeastern superscore test results?
Yes. Northeastern will superscore both the SAT and ACT, considering your highest section scores across test dates for admission and scholarships.
Can merit awards be stacked with need-based aid?
In many cases, yes—merit aid combines with need-based grants, but full-cost awards like Torch or Stamps replace other university funding.
What GPA do I need to keep my scholarship?
NU scholarships require “good academic standing” and full-time enrollment for renewal; the university does not publish a set GPA cutoff.
NU Merit Scholarships – https://admissions.northeastern.edu/tuition-aid/undergraduate-scholarships/
NU Student Financial Services – https://studentfinance.northeastern.edu/undergraduates/financial-aid/
NU Academic Catalog – https://catalog.northeastern.edu/undergraduate/expenses/financial-aid/
🏆 Flagship Scholarships
Northeastern’s flagship scholarships recognize the very top applicants with significant merit awards. These are the university’s most competitive merit scholarships—some are automatic at admission, while others require nomination or invitation. All are highly selective and replace other university merit funding if awarded.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | What Makes It Flagship | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? / Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dean’s Scholarship | $10,000–$28,000 per year* | Prestigious merit award granted to a select group of admitted students | Top admitted applicants (resident or nonresident) | No — considered automatically | Yes; renewable for up to 8 semesters if good academic standing (generally 3.0+ GPA). Winners are academically exceptional admits with leadership or service signals. | Jan 1 |
| Stamps Scholars Program | Full cost of attendance (multi-year) | Prestigious national scholarship; invitation-only application and interview process | Top admitted students (resident or nonresident) | Yes — invited semifinalists submit Stamps application (after admission) | Yes; strong academics, leadership, and impact. Tiny group selected; replaces all other NU awards. | Jan 1 (admission deadline; later Stamps deadline by invitation) |
| Torch Scholars Program | Full cost of attendance + mentoring/support | Nomination-based, holistic review, interviews; highly selective | First-generation, high-potential students overcoming obstacles | Yes — Torch nomination and application | Yes; renewal tied to program standing. Winners are resilient first-gen students; replaces other NU funding. | Jan 1 (nomination + app) |
| Ujima Global Leaders Program | Tuition scholarship (amount varies; up to $15,000/yr*) | Leadership & diversity-focused cohort program; selective | Admitted students with leadership/service in diverse/global contexts | No separate scholarship app — program selection process | Yes; continued participation required. Recipients show leadership, service, and strong academics. | Jan 1 (priority consideration) |
*Dollar ranges shown reflect recent admitted student reports or published program data; official amounts and deadlines may vary each year.
Flagship Scholarship FAQs
How many students win these scholarships?
Northeastern does not publish numbers, but Dean’s is awarded to a larger subset of top admits, while Stamps and Torch are very small. Ujima admits a modest leadership and diversity cohort.
Do these replace other scholarships?
Yes — full-cost awards like Stamps and Torch replace other university scholarships. Dean’s and Ujima may stack or be adjusted for your full aid package.
Can I apply directly?
Dean’s and Ujima are automatic from the admitted pool. Torch requires a nomination and application (Jan 1 deadline); Stamps is invitation-only after admission.
Are these only for Massachusetts students?
No. All of Northeastern’s flagship awards are open to both resident and nonresident students.
NU Merit Scholarships – https://admissions.northeastern.edu/tuition-aid/undergraduate-scholarships/
NU Academic Catalog – https://catalog.northeastern.edu/undergraduate/expenses/financial-aid/
Stamps Scholars – https://www.stampsscholars.org/our-schools/northeastern-university/
Torch Scholars – https://torch.northeastern.edu/
Ujima Global Leaders – https://jdoaai.sites.northeastern.edu/ujima-global-leaders-program/
🎖️ Honors College
Northeastern’s John Martinson Honors Program invites top students into a tight-knit academic community that combines rigorous coursework with exclusive funding, mentorship, and global opportunities. For first-generation families, this means your student can access not only smaller classes and priority registration but also specialized scholarships and grants designed to open doors to research and international experiences.
Students are usually in the top 5–10% of the admitted pool, with near-perfect GPAs and the most rigorous schedules (AP/IB/dual enrollment). If scores are submitted, they often land at 1450+ SAT or 32+ ACT*. Leadership, service, and alignment with Northeastern’s experiential model also matter.
- Priority registration and dedicated Honors housing
- Exclusive small seminars with faculty
- Funding for research, co-op, and global programs
- Capstone and thesis support with faculty mentorship
- Special Honors advising and leadership development
Named Honors Program Scholarships & Funding 🏆
| Scholarship / Award | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honors Scholarships (George Alden Trust, Amelia Peabody, etc.) | Partial tuition support; varies by year | Honors students in good standing with financial need | Yes — internal Honors application | Typically annual review | Students balancing strong academics with financial need | Feb 1 |
| Global Support Fund | Up to $6,000 | First-year Honors students pursuing approved global experiences | Yes — proposal via Honors office | One-time | Honors first-years planning Dialogue of Civilizations, study abroad, or global co-op | Rolling (before departure) |
| Martinson Global Grants | Partial funding (amount varies) | Internal admits to Honors after first year; global proposals | Yes — Honors funding proposal | One-time | Sophomores and above admitted to Honors who secure co-op or study abroad | Rolling |
| PEAK Experiences Fellowships | $1,000–$2,000 (up to $6,000 Summit level) | All undergraduates; priority for Honors members | Yes — URF portal by cycle | One-time per tier (students may earn multiple) | Honors students with mentored research or major creative projects | Fall: Aug 15; Spring: Dec 15; Summer: Mar 15 |
| Joseph A. Coolidge Award | Partial tuition or stipend (varies) | Honors students majoring in physical sciences or mathematics | Yes — department/Honors nomination | Annual review | High-achieving Honors students with leadership/community engagement | Apr 1 |
| Honors Enrichment Travel Award (HETA) | Covers domestic conference expenses | Honors students with high financial need invited to present at conferences | Yes — Honors office application | One-time | Honors students selected to present or attend academic conferences | Rolling |
Honors College FAQs
Is admission automatic?
No. Students are invited to join Honors at first-year admission; there is no separate application for incoming freshmen.
Does Honors add time to graduation?
No. Honors integrates with Northeastern’s 4- or 5-year co-op plans.
Are there scholarships tied directly to Honors?
Yes. Northeastern’s Honors Program funds its own scholarships and grants to support global learning, research, and enrichment — in addition to university-wide merit awards.
When will I know if I’m admitted?
Honors invitations are included with the first-year admissions decision. Some scholarships require further application after enrollment.
*Test score estimates are based on admitted Honors student profiles; Northeastern does not publish minimums.
John Martinson Honors Program (Honors Scholarships, Global Grants, Funding) – https://honors.northeastern.edu/scholarships-awards/
Honors Global Support Fund – https://honors.northeastern.edu/global-support-fund/
Martinson Global Grants – https://honors.northeastern.edu/martinson-global-grants/
PEAK Fellowships – https://undergraduate.northeastern.edu/research-and-fellowships/
⭐ College Specialty
Northeastern is best known for blending classroom learning with real-world experience through its renowned co-op program. For first-generation families, that means your student doesn’t just graduate with a degree—they graduate with a résumé. Alongside the experiential model, Northeastern also shines nationally in technology and health sciences, with strong research activity and industry pipelines.
- Experiential Learning & Co-op: Ranked #1 in U.S. News for Co-op/Internship programs (2024), Northeastern is nationally recognized for making career experience central to every major.
- Health Sciences & Pharmacy: Bouvé College of Health Sciences is highly regarded in New England for nursing, pharmacy, and public health, with strong ties to Boston’s medical hub.
- Business (D’Amore-McKim School): Consistently ranked among the top 50 U.S. undergraduate business schools (U.S. News 2024), with strengths in international business and supply chain management.
- Robotics & Artificial Intelligence: The Institute for Experiential Robotics and Roux Institute collaborations place Northeastern at the forefront of applied robotics and AI research.