A few examples of how private gifts advance Northern's mission: Scholarships Need-based scholarships - for those students who could not attend without help Merit-based scholarships - bring the best and brightest students to NIU Graduate assistants (including teaching, research, and staff assistants) - assistantships supported by gifts will routinely be matched by a full tuition-waiver from the University, thereby enhancing the financial value of the donor's gift Teaching State-of-the-art foreign language multimedia lab Undergraduate research apprenticeships Special academic programs that enhance freshman success rates Graduate teaching assistants - assistantships supported by gifts will routinely be matched by a full tuition-waiver from the University, thereby enhancing the financial value of the donor's gift Faculty and staff support Graduate assistants - assistantships supported by gifts will routinely be matched by a full tuition-waiver from the University, thereby enhancing the financial value of the donor's gift Specialized space and equipment for research and public service Professional development & recognition Technology Computer-based library catalogs and journals Hardware/software updates to meet workplace demands Laboratory research equipment