Who qualifies for in-state tuition at SLU?

Louisiana residents with proof of residency qualify for in-state tuition. Some nonresidents may qualify via the Academic Common Market or specific waivers.

How much do families really pay after aid?

The published in-state COA is $23,392, but the average net price reported for recent years is about $12,174 after scholarships and grants (loans not included).

Do I need a separate application for automatic merit?

No. Admitted freshmen are automatically considered for SLU’s published merit tiers.

Does SLU superscore the ACT for scholarships?

Yes. For 2025–2026, SLU evaluates scholarship eligibility using ACT superscores (best section scores across multiple test dates) aligned to the published tiers.

Can automatic merit stack with other awards?

Housing supplements are built into specific tiers. Many outside and Foundation awards can stack, but families should confirm fund-specific rules.

What hidden-gem programs can reduce costs?

Options include Louisiana National Guard tuition exemption, Army ROTC scholarships, first-generation endowed awards, Literary Rally credits, and marching band scholarships.

Southeastern Louisiana University Scholarships (2025–2026)

Q: Is the Academic Common Market automatic?

No. Families apply after admission, and the program must be approved for the student’s state and major. State certification is required.

← Back to the College Scholarships Hub

What This Page Covers:

Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way

If your student is looking at Southeastern Louisiana University, you’ll want a clear picture of the real costs and scholarships available. This guide breaks down every option—from automatic merit aid to hidden programs most families miss—so first-gen parents don’t have to dig through dozens of pages. Be sure to also check our Louisiana state aid guide for grants and state scholarships that stack with SLU awards.

💰 Cost of Attendance at Southeastern Louisiana University

Category	In-State	Out-of-State
Tuition & Mandatory Fees	$8,372	$20,848
Housing & Meal Plan	$9,430	$9,430
Books & Supplies	$1,300	$1,300
Transportation	$2,100	$2,100
Personal Expenses	$2,190	$2,190
Total (Before Aid)	$23,392	$35,868

Average Net Price: $12,174 (2022–23 NCES). That’s what families actually paid per year after scholarships and grants—loans not included.

Academic Common Market (ACM): Students from SREB states may qualify for in-state tuition on specialized programs not offered in their home state.
Example: Out-of-state tuition/fees of $20,848 could drop to $8,372—a savings of about $12,476 per year. Requires admission to an approved program and state certification (not automatic).

Cost of Attendance FAQ

Who qualifies for in-state tuition?
Louisiana residents with proof of residency automatically qualify for in-state rates. Nonresidents may qualify through ACM or specific waivers.

How much can families really expect to pay?
The published sticker price is $23,392 in-state, but the average family paid closer to $12,174 after scholarships and grants.

Is the Academic Common Market automatic?
No. Families must apply after admission, and the program must be approved for the student’s state and major. Certification is handled through each state’s higher ed office.

✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships

Southeastern Louisiana University automatically considers admitted freshmen for scholarships based on ACT/SAT scores and high school GPA. No separate application is required. Some awards also include a housing supplement for students who live on campus.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Southeastern Scholars Award	$2,500/yr + $1,000 housing supplement	ACT 24–26 (SAT equivalent) and GPA ≥ 3.0	No	Yes	Students in the mid-20s ACT range with at least a B average GPA*
Haynes Scholarship	$3,740/yr + $2,000 housing supplement	ACT 27–28 and GPA ≥ 3.0	No	Yes	Upper-20s ACT scorers with solid A/B transcripts*
Simmons Scholarship	$4,000/yr + $3,000 housing supplement	ACT 29–30 and GPA ≥ 3.0	No	Yes	High-20s/low-30s ACT scorers; housing add-on for on-campus students*
Southeastern Honors Scholarship	$4,000/yr + $3,000 housing supplement	ACT 31–36 and GPA ≥ 3.0	No	Yes	Top scorers (ACT 31+) often entering Honors; strongest applicants also get the housing add-on*

*GPA and ACT/SAT cutoffs are based on official SLU charts. Profiles such as class rigor or test-optional admits may influence final award levels.

Automatic Merit FAQ

Do I need to apply separately for these scholarships?
No. All admitted freshmen are automatically considered for these awards.

What if my student is test-optional?
SLU aligns test-optional applicants with equivalent scholarship consideration, but awards are clearest for those with ACT/SAT scores.

Can these scholarships stack with other aid?
The housing supplements are built into Simmons and Honors tiers. For stacking with Foundation or outside scholarships, families should confirm with the scholarship office, as policies can vary year to year.

🏆 Competitive Scholarships

These university-level awards require extra steps beyond admission (applications, essays, interviews, or cohort selection). They are limited and competitive. Departmental or Honors-specific scholarships are listed elsewhere on this page.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility (Plain English)	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
ExCEL Leaders’ Scholarship	$4,000 total ($500/semester × 8 semesters)	First-time freshmen selected into a leadership cohort (~25 students/yr). Requires strong academic record and documented leadership/service.	Yes — ExCEL program application (Leadership Development)	Yes — maintain GPA and active leadership/service participation	Students with strong high school leadership roles (officers, team captains, service organizers) and a solid academic record.

Notes: Some university-level scholarships are routed through the Foundation portal with a general application and supplemental questions; those that are college/department-specific are listed in other sections on this page.

Southeastern also offers a National Merit Scholarship for finalists and semifinalists: $1,000 per semester ($2,000 per year) for up to eight semesters, with proof of standing submitted to the Office of Financial Aid.

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships

These aren’t the headline merit awards—but they can quietly shave thousands off the bill. Look here for ROTC benefits, Louisiana Guard waivers, Literary Rally awards, study-abroad/departmental funds, and small stackable scholarships most families miss.

Scholarship / Program	Award Amount	Eligibility (Plain English)	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Freshman Scholastic Achievement (Literary Rally)	$100 per 1st-place win, up to $400 (one-time)	District Literary Rally first-place winners who enroll at SLU	No	No	High school rally champions who enroll and submit proof
Louisiana National Guard Tuition Exemption	Covers full base tuition (about $8,372/yr for undergrads)	Active Louisiana National Guard members meeting GPA and service requirements	Yes — through Guard and SLU Military & Veteran Success	Yes	Guard members in good standing who apply each semester
Army ROTC Scholarships	Full tuition & fees OR up to $10,000 for room/board per year, plus $420 monthly stipend and $1,200 annual book allowance	Students meeting Army ROTC academic, fitness, and service obligations	Yes — via ROTC national board or campus-based process	Yes	Students who contract with Army ROTC and meet all academic/fitness standards
SGA Outstanding Freshman Man/Woman Leadership Award	Typically $500 (one-time)	First-year students demonstrating strong campus leadership	Yes — through SGA	No	Freshmen active in SGA or campus organizations with leadership roles
Sanderson Farms First Generation Endowed Scholarship	$500–$1,500/yr	Louisiana resident who is the first in their family to attend college	Yes — Foundation portal	Often	First-generation Louisiana students with a solid GPA who apply by priority deadline
Judge Sheldon Fernandez First Generation Endowed Scholarship	$500–$1,500/yr	First-generation college student enrolled at SLU	Yes — Foundation portal	Often	First-generation students with demonstrated need and GPA in good standing
Spirit of the Southland Marching Band Scholarship	$700/yr	All marching band members (any major); must audition	Yes — audition required	Yes	Students who pass audition and remain active in the band

Disclaimer: Endowed scholarships like Sanderson Farms and Judge Sheldon Fernandez are tied to investment earnings, so exact award amounts may shift slightly from year to year. Ranges above reflect typical awards in recent cycles.

Music Department Scholarships — additional awards for music majors (require audition and separate application).
General departmental scholarships — offered across Business, Science & Technology, Nursing, and other colleges; amounts differ by major and donor fund. Apply via the Foundation portal.

Stacking Notes: Guard and ROTC benefits interact with other aid (tuition/fee coverage vs. room/board options). Foundation awards are often stackable but may have caps—check each fund’s rules. Literary Rally is a small, stackable one-time credit.

Hidden Gems FAQ

Do these require separate applications?
Usually yes. ROTC and Guard benefits have their own processes; Foundation awards use the scholarship portal (priority mid-February). Literary Rally requires proof of eligibility.

Can Hidden Gems stack with automatic merit?
Often. Guardsmen/ROTC can still receive grants and many scholarships, though federal ROTC tuition awards can affect how other tuition discounts apply. Foundation awards typically stack unless a fund says otherwise.

What’s the best order to tackle these?
Submit the Foundation portal early, contact the Military & Veteran Success office if Guard/ROTC applies, and confirm Literary Rally eligibility with SLU. For study abroad, meet with the office one term ahead.

⭐ College Specialty

Southeastern Louisiana University is best known in Louisiana for giving students practical, career-focused programs with strong ties to regional industries. While it isn’t classified as an R1 national research powerhouse, SLU has carved out a statewide reputation in areas like business, education, nursing, and the arts—programs that consistently send graduates into leadership roles across the region.

Nursing (College of Nursing & Health Sciences): Southeastern’s nursing program is one of the largest in Louisiana and is consistently recognized statewide for producing practice-ready nurses. It is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and has strong hospital partnerships across the Gulf South.

College of Business (AACSB Accredited): One of only a handful of Louisiana business schools to earn AACSB accreditation, the gold standard for business programs worldwide.
Education: Southeastern is among the top producers of certified teachers in Louisiana, with statewide recognition for teacher preparation and leadership programs.
Computer Science & Information Technology (ABET Accredited): SLU’s computer science and IS programs hold ABET accreditation, aligning with national industry standards in computing and IT.
Music & the Arts: The university’s School of Music and Performing Arts is regionally recognized, and the Southeastern Channel (student-run media outlet) has won multiple Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) awards in recent years.

🎖️ Honors College

Southeastern’s Honors Program is designed for motivated students who want smaller classes, closer faculty mentorship, and a chance to stand out with an Honors diploma. Admission is by application after you’ve been admitted to the university, and applying early is encouraged.

What a Typical SLU Honors Student Looks Like:
High school GPA around 3.5 or higher, strong ACT/SAT scores (many with 27+ ACT), a track record of rigorous courses, and leadership or service involvement.

Perks That Matter:

Priority registration each semester
Dedicated Honors housing in Ascension Hall
Small, discussion-based seminars with top faculty
Research and thesis opportunities with mentorship
An Honors diploma that adds weight to grad school and job applications

Honors Program FAQ

Is admission automatic?
No. You must submit a separate Honors application after being admitted to SLU.

Does being in Honors add extra time to a degree?
No. Honors classes count toward your degree plan, and the program is structured to finish within four years.

Are there scholarships tied to Honors?
The Southeastern Honors Scholarship (automatic merit, see above) is linked to high ACT scores and GPA. There are no separate Honors-only awards listed beyond that.

When should my student apply?
As soon as they’re admitted to SLU—spots are limited, and applying early improves chances for perks like housing.

📎 Official Links

Final Thoughts

Southeastern Louisiana University may not be the flashiest school in the rankings, but it offers solid scholarships, generous in-state affordability, and hidden gems like Guard benefits, first-gen support, and band stipends that can make a real difference. For first-gen families especially, the clear scholarship tiers and approachable Honors Program provide a straightforward path to lowering costs without a lot of guesswork. If your student is looking for a practical education with real savings, SLU is worth a serious look.

✅ Last updated: September 8, 2025