December 19, 2018
SIU offering new scholarships to hundreds of freshmen and transfer students
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale and the state of Illinois are offering millions of reasons why students should pursue their college degrees at SIU.
Illinois has launched a new initiative, the AIM HIGH program, which has allotted up to $1.9 million in state funding to SIU to provide scholarships for freshman students. The university is matching the scholarships to assist even more Illinois freshman and transfer students.
“We are very appreciative of the opportunity AIM HIGH presents for Illinois students to attend SIU Carbondale.” Jennifer DeHaemers, associate chancellor for enrollment management, said. “This really makes an education even more affordable for many more students.”
Students can get funding beginning fall 2019
The General Assembly allocated $25 million, to be distributed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, to students attending Illinois public universities beginning in fall 2019. The goal of the academic-based award is to encourage students to stay in Illinois as they continue their academic careers.
All who qualify will receive SIU AIM HIGH scholarships
Students who have received an SIU Dean’s Scholarship and who meet the AIM HIGH qualification requirements will receive $2,000 in scholarship funding. There is no additional application required to receive the funds.
The SIU AIM HIGH Award will be given to any Illinois high school graduate who is attending college for the first time if they meet these eligibility criteria:
- Have an ACT score of 24 or higher or an SAT score of 1160 or higher and a GPA of at least 3.5.
- Meet household income guidelines, which allow income of up to six times the poverty level. For instance, the maximum family income for a one-person household is $72,360 while the maximum income for a four-person family is $147,600.
- Is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
The scholarship can be renewed for up to three more years for a total of $8,000 as long as the recipient maintains a 3.0 or higher GPA while earning a minimum of 30 credits per year.
Saluki Scholars Awards also offered
A new Saluki Scholars Award will give additional new freshmen and new transfer students the chance to receive a $1,500 annual scholarship. The Freshman Saluki Scholars Award academic requirements are slightly less stringent than those for SIU AIM HIGH, and as with the state award, students will not need an additional application to receive the award.
To receive this award, an Illinois high school graduate must:
- Have an ACT score between 21 and 23 or an SAT score of 1060-1150 along with a high school GPA of 3.0 or above.
- Meet the same income and citizenship requirements that are in place for the SIU AIM HIGH Award.
The Freshmen Saluki Scholars Award can also be renewed for an additional three years, for a total of $6,000, if the recipient maintains a GPA of 3.0 or above at SIU while completing a minimum of 24 credits per year.
The Transfer Saluki Scholars Award is available to those who transfer a minimum of 30 college credit hours while holding a 3.25-3.49 transfer GPA, if they meet the AIM HIGH criteria. They can renew the award for up to two subsequent years, for a total of $4,500.
Scholarships are stackable
The scholarships make SIU even more attractive and affordable when combined with other existing awards, including some automatic awards, DeHaemers said.
For instance, beginning in fall 2018, SIU began providing a one-time $4,000 First-Year Housing Scholarship to all new Illinois high school/transfer students who live in campus housing. The SIU AIM HIGH scholarship can also be combined with a Dean’s Scholarship ($4,000 annually for those with a 24-27 ACT and 3.5 or higher high school GPA or $6,000 annually for those with an ACT of 28 or above plus a 3.5 GPA).
Complete details online
Find all of the details about the new AIM HIGH undergraduate academic scholarships online. Or, call 618/453-4628 or email scholarships@siu.edu.