🏆 Full tuition available (Louisiana National Guard Tuition Exemption (STEP))
Average Net Price
$11,813/year (in-state estimate)
Average paid for residents.
Automatic Merit
$2,500–$3,750/yr
No separate application.
Typical Qualifiers
GPA 3+; ACT 24+ / SAT 1160+
Benchmarks for top-tier awards.
Testing Policy
Test-optional
Superscores ACT/SAT.
Key Deadlines
Priority: Jan 15 • FAFSA: Mar 1
Full-Tuition / Full-Ride
Louisiana National Guard Tuition Exemption (STEP)
Honors College
Honors Program Available
Residency & Waivers
ACM
🚨 Easy-to-Miss “Gotchas” at Southeastern Louisiana University (Read This First)
Top scholarships still favor test scores: Even though SLU is test-optional, higher-tier awards (and the President’s Scholarship) are much more realistic with strong ACT/SAT scores.
Deadlines matter more than you think: Missing the February 1 scholarship deadline can mean losing out on automatic merit—even if your student qualifies academically.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — Southeastern Louisiana University is test-optional.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 21; SAT: 1050.
Average net price? About $11,813/yearyear after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity?
Yes — participates in ACM.
💰 Cost of Attendance at Southeastern Louisiana University 2026-2027
📅 2026–2027 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2025–2026). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once official 2026–2027 numbers are released.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
Category (2026–2027)
In-State
Out-of-State
Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters)
$8,372
$20,848
Housing & Meals (typical)
$9,430
$9,430
Total (Direct Costs)
$17,802
$30,278
Average Federal Net Price: $11,813 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
Academic Common Market (ACM): Students from eligible Southern states may qualify for in-state tuition on specialized programs not offered in their home state.
A nonresident paying $20,848 in tuition and fees could pay $8,372 instead—a savings of roughly $12,500 per year.
ACM participation requires state certification after admission and is not automatic.
Cost of Attendance FAQ
Who qualifies for in-state tuition?
Louisiana residents automatically qualify for in-state rates. Nonresidents can qualify through ACM or institutional waivers.
How much do families really pay?
The published in-state total is $17,802, but after scholarships and grants, families paid about $11,813 on average.
Is the Academic Common Market automatic?
No. Students must apply through their state’s ACM office after admission and be certified for an eligible program.
Sources:
Southeastern Louisiana University Financial Aid — Cost of Attendance
Southeastern Housing & Meal Plan Rates
Southeastern Admissions — Apply Page
Southeastern Financial Aid — Scholarships & Waivers
Academic Common Market (SREB) Participant List
U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (Net Price Data)
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
Southeastern Louisiana University automatically considers all admitted freshmen for scholarships based on ACT or SAT scores and high school GPA. No separate application is required. Some tiers also include a housing supplement for students who live on campus.
Scholarship
Award Amount
Eligibility
Separate App?
Renewable?
Who Actually Wins?
Deadline
Southeastern Honors Scholarship
$4,000/yr + $3,000 housing (if on campus)
ACT 30+ (superscore 32+ accepted), GPA ≥ 3.0
No
Yes
High-achieving students with 30+ ACT and strong GPA; housing add-on for on-campus students
Priority Jan 15
Simmons Award
$3,750/yr + $2,000 housing (if on campus)
ACT 27–29 (superscore 29–31), GPA ≥ 3.0
No
Yes
ACT 27–29, GPA 3.0+; extra for on-campus housing
Priority Jan 15
Southeastern Scholars Award
$2,500/yr + $1,000 housing (if on campus)
ACT 24–26 (superscore 26–28), GPA ≥ 3.0
No
Yes
Students in the ACT 24–26 range, B average or higher; on-campus students can receive an additional supplement
Priority Jan 15
Award values and eligibility are based on SLU’s official Fall 2026 scholarship grid. Superscore ACT is accepted. All awards require full-time enrollment and maintenance of a 3.0 college GPA for renewal.
Automatic Merit FAQ
Is a separate application required? No; all admitted freshmen are automatically considered.
Does Southeastern use ACT superscores? Yes, the highest ACT Composite or Superscore by the deadline is considered.
Can awards stack? Some Foundation or outside scholarships may stack with these awards; check with the scholarship office for current stacking policies.
Test-optional policy? SLU will consider test-optional applicants for scholarships using equivalent criteria but most awards clearly specify ACT/SAT bands.
Sources:
New Freshman Scholarships – https://www.southeastern.edu/admin/fin_aid/scholarships/newfreshman.html
SLU Scholarship Office – https://www.southeastern.edu/admin/fin_aid/
Foundation Scholarships – https://selu.academicworks.com/
🏆 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?
Deadline
ExCEL Leaders’ Scholarship
$4,000 total ($500/semester × 8 semesters)
First-time freshmen selected into a competitive leadership cohort (25 students/yr). Requires strong academic record and documented leadership/service (active in 2+ activities, leadership in at least 1).
Yes — ExCEL application (includes application, video and references)
Yes — maintain GPA, leadership/service role, and campus participation
Freshmen with prominent high school leadership or service who stand out in application/interview
Jan 31 priority
National Merit Scholarship
$2,000/yr ($1,000 per semester) for up to 8 semesters
First-time freshmen recognized as National Merit Finalist or Semifinalist, official proof submitted to SLU Financial Aid
Yes — documentation required
Yes — maintain eligibility per award letter
Students who submit timely National Merit credentials
June 30 (verification)
Notes: Some university-level scholarships are routed through the Foundation portal with a general application and supplemental questions. College- and department-specific competitive awards are listed in other sections.
Sources:
ExCEL Award – https://www.southeastern.edu/admin/fin_aid/excel/index.html
National Merit Scholarship – https://www.southeastern.edu/admin/fin_aid/scholarships/newfreshman.html
Foundation Awards – https://selu.academicworks.com/
💎 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?
Deadline
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 after graduation
No — auto-awarded, proof required
No
Rally champions who enroll and submit documentation
Claim in first semester after enrolling
Louisiana National Guard Tuition Exemption (STEP)
Covers full base tuition (not fees; ≈$8,372/yr for undergrads)
Active, drilling LA National Guard member in good academic standing
Yes — via Guard & campus office
Yes — apply each semester, maintain Guard standing
Guard members in good standing who re-certify every term
Each semester, deadlines per Guard/SLU
Army ROTC Scholarship (federal)
Full tuition & fees or up to $10,000 room/board per year, $420/month stipend, $1,200/yr books
Academic/fitness/service requirements; participate in Army ROTC (LSU host, cross-enrollment from SLU)
Yes — ROTC national/campus board
Yes — service obligation after graduation
Top ROTC-qualified students via application/board
National/campus ROTC deadlines
SGA Outstanding Freshman Man/Woman Leadership Award
$500 (one-time)
First-year students with strong campus leadership (SGA/campus orgs)
Yes — SGA application
No
Freshmen demonstrating leadership and SGA/campus involvement
Campus nomination (Spring)
Sanderson Farms First Generation Endowed Scholarship
$500–$1,500/yr
Louisiana resident; first in family to attend college
Yes — Foundation portal
Yes — typically renewable
First-generation LA residents with a solid application/GPA
Spring Foundation cycle
Judge Sheldon Fernandez First Generation Endowed Scholarship
$500–$1,500/yr
First-generation SLU student
Yes — Foundation portal
Yes — typically renewable
First-generation students with need; GPA in good standing
Spring Foundation cycle
Spirit of the Southland Marching Band Scholarship
$700/yr
All band members (audition for entry/placement; all majors eligible)
Yes — band audition/placement
Yes — must remain active each term
Students who pass band audition and maintain participation
Band audition period (spring/summer)
Disclaimer: Endowed/first-gen award values vary year to year due to available funds. Guard and ROTC pay only base tuition (not all fees). Rally and SGA awards are one-time and stackable.
Music Department Scholarships — separate, competitive awards for music majors (via audition).
General departmental scholarships — available across fields (Business, Science, Education, etc.); apply via Foundation portal each spring. Awards and criteria vary by department/donor.
Hidden Gems FAQ
Do these require a separate application? Most do (see notes above). ROTC/Guard/foundation all require paperwork; rally is auto if proof submitted.
Can I stack with merit scholarships? Usually, yes. Federal programs (Guard/ROTC) prioritize tuition; most foundation and rally add-ons are stackable up to your cost of attendance.
When do deadlines fall? Foundation: February-March. ROTC: varies by national board/host campus. Guard: before fee payment. Rally proof: first enrollment term. Band: late spring/summer auditions.
Sources:
Literary Rally Scholarship – https://www.southeastern.edu/acad_research/programs/rally/scholarships.html
LA National Guard Tuition STEP – https://geauxguard.la.gov/state-tuition-exemption-program-step/
ROTC (host campus) – https://goarmy.com/rotc/scholarships.html
First Gen & Foundation – https://www.southeastern.edu/admin/fin_aid/scholarships/endowed.html
Marching Band – https://www.southeastern.edu/acad_research/depts/hons/band.html
SGA/Leadership – https://www.southeastern.edu/admin/sga/index.html
🎖️ 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 for best access to perks like Honors housing.
What a Typical SLU Honors Student Looks Like:
High school GPA around 3.5 or higher, strong ACT/SAT scores (many with 27+ ACT), completion of AP or dual enrollment coursework, involvement in leadership or service activities. Minimum eligibility is 3.0 GPA and 24 ACT, but competitive admits are often higher.
Perks That Matter:
Priority registration each semester
Dedicated Honors housing in Ascension Hall (by application, space-limited)
Small, discussion-based seminars with top faculty
Mentored research and thesis opportunities
An Honors diploma notation, recognized by grad schools and employers
Scholarship
Award Amount
Eligibility
Separate App?
Renewable?
Who Actually Wins?
Deadline
Southeastern Honors Scholarship
$4,000/yr tuition + $3,000 housing (see automatic merit grid)
ACT ≥30 (superscore 32+), GPA ≥3.0; awarded automatically to top freshmen including many Honors admits
No (via admission/scholarship file)
Yes — maintain full-time and GPA
Freshmen who meet GPA/ACT for Honors and submit admission by Jan 15
Jan 15 priority (for both admission and scholarship)
Honors Program FAQ
Is admission automatic?
No. You submit a separate Honors Program application after being admitted to SLU.
Does Honors add time to a degree?
No. Honors classes are designed to fulfill core requirements, so most students complete their degree in four years.
Is there a separate “Honors-only” scholarship?
No published Honors-exclusive awards beyond the Southeastern Honors Scholarship, which is awarded to top freshmen regardless of Honors status but commonly received by Honors admits.
When should my student apply?
As soon as they’re admitted to SLU—early applications maximize access to Honors housing and enrollment perks.
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.
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.
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