APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED, RE-OPENS IN AUG/SEP
Scholarship Awarding University:
Type of degree:
Bachelor’s
Scholarship Deadline:
Applications for this scholarship will end on the 1st of January, 2025.
Scholarship Summary:
Continuing Northeastern’s century-old commitment to educational opportunity, the Torch Scholars Program is a bold and innovative initiative that provides students with the opportunity to explore their passions and expand their global horizons. The program’s nomination and holistic review process identifies bright students from across the US who have already succeeded against the odds, but who have not yet reached their full academic potential.
Scholarship Applicant Criteria:
To be eligible for the Torch Scholarship, Candidates:
• Are first-generation college students whose parents/guardians do not have a U.S. undergraduate degree or equivalent.
• Are U.S. citizens or permanent residents from low-income households (and are likely to be Pell Grant eligible).
• Have persevered despite difficult family situations, cultural barriers, financial challenges, or unfavorable educational environments. These challenges have kept them from reaching their full academic potential and from applying for admission to a highly selective school such as Northeastern.
• Show leadership through community, school, work, or service. Torch nominees are “game changers” in their communities, working to make a difference.
• Have enrolled in college prep classes and would be successful with the additional academic and personal support provided by the Torch Scholars Program, but have not yet demonstrated academic success at the level of their true potential.
• Represent a diversity of academic majors, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and geographic areas.
GPA Requirements
Torch does not require a specific GPA. While prospective Torch Scholars might not have a grade record that indicates their full academic potential, they have been preparing for college by taking a challenging academic course load. Northeastern looks at applicants holistically, going beyond the numbers to determine their talent and potential for college success at Northeastern.
Value of Scholarship:
Torch is dedicated to supporting these talented, first-generation college students through:
• An extensive full-scholarship program that covers tuition, room, board, books, and fees for up to eight undergraduate semesters, as well as all costs for a six-week Summer Immersion Program
• Intensive academic planning and assessments
• In-depth peer and professional mentoring
• One-on-one meetings with academic advisors to develop skills in self-advocacy, communication, study habits, and goal setting
• A wide array of social events that foster group identity and camaraderie
Scholarship Application Guide:
January 1
• Northeastern University Regular Decision Application Deadline
- All Torch applicants must complete the Common Application or Coalition Application.
- Northeastern will waive the application fee for Torch nominees. To request a fee waiver, you must select “Other” as the fee waiver type in the payment section when submitting the Common Application and Northeastern Supplement. The fee waiver will be granted after verifying that a student has been nominated for the Torch Scholars Program. If you have questions about having your application fee waived, please contact NU at 617.373.7204 or torch@northeastern.edu.
- All application materials, including your nomination form, will be considered by the Torch Scholars Selection Committee.
• Torch Scholars Nomination Deadline
• Priority Deadline to Apply for Financial Aid
- Students should complete the FAFSA and CSS Profile in order to be considered for the Torch Scholars program as well as other federal and institutional financial assistance.
February
• The Torch Scholars Committee selects 50 finalists to participate in an interview day in March. Torch Interview Day is a six hour day that includes an individual interview, a group interview, and a support figure interview.
- Finalists will be notified and asked to complete a non-cognitive assessment and complete three additional essays prior to their interview day.
March
• Finalists will participate in Interview Days, which will include an individual interview, group interview, math assessment, and faculty lecture.
• Torch Scholars Program decisions are announced. Due to the unique nature of this program, students selected as Torch finalists will not receive their admissions decisions from Northeastern until after scholarship recipients are announced.
Scholarship Website:
Find further information on this scholarship opportunity at the Northeastern University Torch Scholarship Page.