Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship

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 credits
  • A transfer GPA of at least 3.50 at the point of admission*
  • Enrolled full time in at least 12 quarter hours per academic term
  • The award is renewable as long as a 3.50+ GPA is maintained, full time enrollment each term and for up to 9 terms, or until the combined transfer and NLU credit has reached 180-quarter hours
  • Full time students admitted with and maintaining a 3.75 or higher GPA will be awarded $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 $1,500 per term/maximum $6,000 an academic year

The maximum value of the Scholarship is $18,000. As the largest NLU transfer scholarship, the PTK scholarship supersedes other NLU transfer scholarships. Recipients who maintain a 3.50 GPA will be awarded $1,500 per full-time term and recipients who enter* with and maintain a 3.75 GPA will be awarded $2,000 per full-time term. The NLU PTK Scholarship can be used for a maximum of nine terms or through completion of 180 earned (transfer and NLU) quarter hours, whichever occurs first.

Students not selected for the PTK Scholarship with at least 45 transferable quarter hours and a 3.25-3.74 transfer GPA will automatically be awarded the Platinum Scholarship worth up to $3,000 per year and those with a 3.75-4.00 transfer GPA will automatically be awarded the National Louis Scholarship worth up to $4,500 per year. Award amounts subject to change for each academic year.

* 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 for that term.

  • Academic Achievement
    To be eligible for the PTK Scholarship, students must have completed the NLU Admission process. The transcripts submitted for Admission will be reviewed by the scholarship selection committee.
  • 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 one-year old. Letters may be either mailed from your reference directly to NLU or submitted with your application in a sealed envelope.
  • 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.
  • Apply for financial aid by completing and submitting the Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA) for 2011–2012.
    Include NLU’s school code, 001733.
  • Complete the 2011-2012 PTK application.

Application deadlines:

First Term of Enrollment Application Deadline Notification Date First Term of Eligibility
Summer or Fall 2011 August 5, 2011 (extended) September 5, 2011 Fall 2011
Winter 2012 November 4, 2011 December 19, 2011 Winter 2012
Spring 2012 February 3, 2012 March 5, 2012 Spring 2012

 

The PTK Scholarship Application and all supporting materials 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 recipients will be announced via mail.