EDWARDSVILLE - In partnership with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is making college more affordable for students with more than $4-million in new grants. Qualified Illinois students can significantly reduce the cost of tuition and fees by combining SIUE academic awards with the new state-funded AIM HIGH Grant. The State of Illinois created the AIM HIGH merit-based scholarship with a goal of attracting more high school graduates to in-state colleges and universities.
Newly admitted freshmen may receive as much as $2,500 per academic year, while newly admitted transfer students may receive as much as $3,000 per academic year. Prospective students should apply for admission by Dec. 1, 2018.
Continuing and returning SIUE students may be awarded AIM HIGH Grant Finish Line Awards worth as much as $2,000 per academic year. Returning students should apply for admission at least four weeks prior to the start of the term.
“SIUE remains committed to helping all students, and through this opportunity, we are hoping our new grant dollars will assist many more students,” said Todd Burrell, SIUE director of undergraduate admissions. “We encourage all prospective students to apply soon as our Preferential Filing Date is Saturday, Dec. 1.”
AIM HIGH funds can be used for tuition and fees for the fall and spring semesters, will not cover tuition and fees paid by a third party such as an employer, and may be awarded in addition to other SIUE scholarships such as Cougar Pride, Johnetta Haley and Provost, but may not be used in conjunction with SIUE’s full-ride Meridian Scholarship
According to rules established by ISAC, an eligible AIM HIGH applicant:
- Is a resident of the state of Illinois
- Is a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Meets the minimum GPA or ACT/SAT score, and the SIUE grant eligibility and renewal criteria
- Is or will be a full-time undergraduate, not yet received a baccalaureate degree or 135 credit hours
- Is not in default on any student loan
- Does not owe a refund or repayment on any state or federal grant or scholarship
- Has filed a FAFSA and demonstrated need with household income no greater than six times the poverty guidelines
Funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis to students with the earliest FAFSA submission, so students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Students may file their FAFSA online with the new app, myStudentAid. Using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool will make it fast and easy (SIUE FAFSA code: 001759).
For more information, visit siue.edu/aim-high. Review additional funding opportunities at siue.edu/financial-aid.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville provides students with a high quality, affordable education that prepares them for successful careers and lives of purpose to shape a changing world. Built on the foundation of a broad-based liberal education, and enhanced by hands-on research and real-world experiences, the academic preparation SIUE students receive equips them to thrive in the global marketplace and make our communities better places to live. Situated on 2,660 acres of beautiful woodland atop the bluffs overlooking the natural beauty of the Mississippi River’s rich bottomland and only a short drive from downtown St. Louis, the SIUE campus is home to a diverse student body of more than 13,000.
