October 06, 2020
SIU Carbondale extends Saluki Commitment to transfer students
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Students transferring to Southern Illinois University Carbondale next fall can take advantage of the university’s commitment to close financial barriers to a first-rate education.
The university recently announced the Saluki Commitment, a pledge that tuition and mandatory fees will be fully covered for incoming freshmen who have a family income below $63,575 and meet other criteria. Today, SIU is extending that pledge to new transfer students.
Effective fall 2021, transfer students with a GPA of 2.0 or above and 26 or more transferable credits are guaranteed coverage of tuition and mandatory fees for four consecutive semesters if they meet financial, residency and other requirements.
Like the original Saluki Commitment, the Saluki Transfer Commitment closes gaps that are not covered by other forms of financial aid, according to SIU Chancellor Austin A. Lane.
“Sometimes, there are gaps between what financial aid packages cover and the cost of attendance,” Lane said. “Those gaps can be beyond the reach of many students and their families. We are committed to filling them.”
To qualify, students must have an annual family income less than $63,575 and assets below $50,000 based on their submitted Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). They must also be Illinois residents who attended an Illinois high school. Additional criteria for the Saluki Transfer Commitment are available at fao.siu.edu/types/saluki-transfer-commitment.php.
Lane said the decision to extend the Saluki Commitment to transfer students reflects the university’s collaboration with community colleges.
“We value our partnerships with community colleges and share their commitment to creating pathways to help students achieve their goals,” he said. “The Saluki Transfer Commitment is a new way to support students who want to transfer to SIU to earn their bachelor’s degrees.
“Family income should not be a barrier for any qualified student to attend SIU, whether the student is going to college for the first time or transferring from another college or university,” Lane added.