Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship

The scholarship application is open for 2026-2027. Questions about the scholarship can be directed to studentfinance@nl.edu. 

National Louis University recognizes the value of scholarship, leadership, and service. The NLU PTK Scholarship is designed to reward the accomplishments of members of Phi Theta Kappa by providing financial support to high-achieving community college students to pursue their education.

The Scholarship criteria include:

• Completed NLU PTK Scholarship application
• PTK member in good standing
• Full admission to an undergraduate degree program at National Louis University
• A minimum of 45 quarter hours of accepted college transfer credit
• A transfer GPA of at least 3.50 at the point of admission*
• Enroll full time in at least 12 quarter hours per academic term (not required for summer terms)
• The award is renewable as long as a 3.50+ GPA is maintained
• The scholarship can be awarded until the student has reached 180 quarter hours of combined transfer and institutional coursework.
• Full time students admitted with and maintaining a 3.75 or higher GPA will be awarded up to $2,000 per term/maximum $8,000 an academic year
• Full time students admitted with and maintaining a 3.50 - 3.74 GPA will be awarded up to $1,500 per term/maximum $6,000 an academic year
• Students are only eligible for one institutional resource per academic year
• Students must adhere to all the University policies noted in the Catalog in order to remain eligible to receive NLU Scholarships.

The maximum value of the Scholarship is $18,000. As the largest NLU transfer scholarship, the PTK scholarship supersedes other NLU transfer scholarships.

* NLU calculates the official transfer GPA at the point of Admission based on all college transcripts received. The transfer GPA will be used to establish eligibility and scholarship amount per term.

• Academic Achievement
  To be eligible for the PTK Scholarship, students must have completed the NLU Admission process.
  
  
• Service and Activities (attach an additional page if needed)
  List and briefly describe all volunteer, extracurricular, and service activities in which you have actively participated in the past 3 years. When appropriate, list the name and phone number of the organization.
  
  
• Honors and Awards (attach an additional page if needed)
  List honors or awards you have received during the past 3 years or while attending a community college.
  
  
• Essay
  Submit a one to two-page essay with the PTK Scholarship Application. This essay may include any information you would like to share with the Selection Committee and should address:
  • the significance of completing your chosen degree program, and;
  • the impact this scholarship has on your ability to attend NLU. 
    
    
• Letter of Recommendation
  Submit at least one letter of recommendation. Letters from a faculty member, PTK or community college academic advisor are preferred. Letters must be dated and cannot be more than twelve (12) months old. Letters must be emailed from your recommender directly to NLU at stapplications@nl.edu.
  
  
• Documentation of PTK Membership
  To verify PTK membership submit any of the following:
  • The PTK seal on a community college transcript.
  • A copy of a PTK Membership Certificate with the member number.
  • A statement from your PTK Advisor. 
• U.S. citizens and permanent residents should apply for financial aid by completing and submitting the Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA) for 2026–2027.
  Include NLU’s school code, 001733.
  
  
• Complete the Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship Application, 2026-2027

Application Deadlines

The PTK Scholarship Application and all supporting materials can be emailed to stapplications@nl.edu or must be postmarked or delivered in person no later than the applicable deadline, to:

National Louis University
Student Finance Office
Attention: PTK Scholarship Committee
1000 Capitol Drive
Wheeling, IL 60090

Scholarship applicants will be notified of the decision via their student email.

Please Note: Your letter of recommendation must be emailed from your recommender directly to NLU at stapplications@nl.edu. The PTK Scholarship is open to U.S. citizenship, permanent residents, and International students who meet the eligibility criteria listed above. Scholarship award amounts are subject to change for each academic year.