Who qualifies for in-state tuition at SIU?

All U.S. undergraduates at SIU are charged the in-state (resident) tuition rate automatically. Legacy and military discounts may require documentation.

How much does the in-state policy save?

Roughly $14,000+ per year compared to typical nonresident rates at many public universities, before any scholarships or grants.

Do I need a separate application for automatic scholarships?

No. Students are automatically considered after admission by the priority dates for Maroon, Silver, Gold, and University Excellence tiers.

Are test scores required for automatic merit?

No. SIU’s automatic merit tiers are based on unweighted high school GPA; the university is test-optional for general admission.

Can automatic scholarships stack with other aid?

Often yes, but total aid cannot exceed the official Cost of Attendance. Departmental or donor awards may stack; Saluki Commitment fills tuition/fee gaps after other aid.

How competitive are the Chancellor’s and Provost’s Scholarships?

Very competitive and limited in number. Chancellor’s typically involves essays and interviews for top A-range students; Provost’s is a selective transfer award.

Is the Saluki Commitment a full ride?

It covers remaining tuition and mandatory fees after grants and scholarships for eligible Illinois residents. Housing, meals, and personal expenses are not covered.

Can ROTC cover housing and meals?

Army ROTC sometimes allows choosing a housing/meal option instead of tuition, but most students use it for tuition coverage plus book and monthly stipends.

Do departmental and identity-based awards stack?

Usually yes, subject to the Cost of Attendance cap. Check each award’s terms and your aid package.

Is admission to SIU Honors automatic?

No. Students submit a separate Honors application with essays; selection is holistic and considers academics, rigor, and leadership.

Does the Honors Program add time to a degree?

No. Honors seminars often substitute for core courses, so students graduate on time with proper planning.

Are there Honors-specific scholarships?

Yes. Named awards such as the Somit, Corder, and Gwaltney scholarships are reserved for Honors students, and the program also advises on national fellowships like Fulbright and Goldwater.

Southern Illinois University Scholarships (2025–2026)

← Back to the Public University Scholarships hub • See Illinois state aid

What This Page Covers:

Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
Automatic merit and competitive scholarships
Out-of-state tuition matching and MSEP participation
Honors Program and leadership-based full rides

📊 Admissions Snapshot

Acceptance Rate: ~92%
Middle 50% ACT: 19–25
Middle 50% SAT: 990–1210
Average HS GPA (middle 50%): 3.3–3.9

Source: Southern Illinois University Carbondale Common Data Set 2024–25 and BigFuture overview. Middle 50% = range where half of admitted students fall.

Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →

📌

Southern Illinois University at a Glance

🏆 Chancellor’s Scholarship: Full ride (competitive) — see Flagship (Competitive) for details.

Average Net Price

$16,177/year

What families actually paid on average

Automatic Merit (OOS)

$1,500–$12,000/year (Saluki Scholars Awards)

Guaranteed if GPA meets published thresholds

Typical Qualifiers

GPA 3.3+, ACT 23+, or SAT 1150+

Higher awards for top 10% of admitted students

Testing Policy

Test-optional through 2026

Superscores ACT/SAT if submitted for merit review

Key Deadlines

Priority Admission: Dec 1 • Scholarship: Feb 1 • FAFSA: Mar 1

Apply by Dec 1 for best merit and Honors consideration

Honors College

University Honors Program

Perks: Honors housing, research funding, and small seminar classes

Full-Tuition / Full-Ride

Chancellor’s Scholarship (full ride)

Competitive; covers tuition, fees, room, and board

Residency & Waivers

In-State Tuition for All U.S. Residents

SIU matches in-state tuition for all domestic students

Data verified via SIU Carbondale 2025–26 scholarship portal, Common Data Set 2024–25, and official SIU policy. SIU continues to offer in-state tuition to all U.S. residents for 2025–26.
Last verified: October 18, 2025

Southern Illinois University (Carbondale) is one of the Midwest’s most affordable research universities—especially for nonresidents, thanks to its in-state tuition match for all U.S. students. Automatic merit awards start around a 3.0 GPA, and top applicants compete for the full-ride Chancellor’s Scholarship.

With generous tuition policies, MSEP participation, and a robust Honors Program, SIU provides serious scholarship value for academically driven students from across the country—particularly those seeking strong STEM, aviation, or business programs without private-school prices.

FAQ

Is this college test-optional? Yes — SIU is test-optional through 2026 and considers GPA and coursework for automatic merit awards.

What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 19–25; SAT: 990–1210 (for students who submitted scores).

What’s the average net price? About $16,177/year after aid. See our Net Price & SAI guide.

Does this school use reciprocity or OOS waivers? Yes — SIU offers in-state tuition to all U.S. residents and participates in the Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP).

Sources:
https://costaid.siu.edu/cost/
https://scholarships.siu.edu/chancellors/
https://scholarships.siu.edu/
https://admissions.siu.edu/
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?149222-Southern-Illinois-University-Carbondale
https://www.iacac.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Southern-Illinois-University-Carbondale-2.pdf
https://www.isac.org/students/during-college/types-of-financial-aid/aim-high-participating-schools.html#siu-carbondale

💰 Cost of Attendance at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Expense	All U.S. Residents
Tuition & Mandatory Fees	$13,544
Housing & Meals (average on-campus)	$12,341
Total (Before Aid)	$25,885

Note: Books, travel, and personal expenses typically add $3,500–$4,000 to your budget but are not included in the table because these are indirect costs paid to third parties—not directly to the university.

Average Net Price: Families actually paid about $16,177 per year after grants and scholarships (no loans), according to the most recent federal data (2022–23).

Reciprocity & Tuition Discounts: All U.S. undergraduates at SIU pay the in-state rate—no matter where they live. This saves out-of-state students roughly $14,000+ per year compared to typical nonresident rates. SIU also offers a 20% Legacy Tuition Rate for children and spouses of alumni, as well as special military tuition reductions.

FAQ

Who qualifies for in-state tuition?
All U.S. citizens and permanent residents automatically receive the in-state rate at SIU.

How much does that save?
About $14,000 per year compared to what nonresidents would typically pay at comparable public universities.

Do I have to apply?
No separate application is required—the in-state rate is automatic. Legacy and military discounts require documentation.

Sources:
University COA page — https://costaid.siu.edu/cost/
Scholarships portal — https://scholarships.siu.edu/
Admissions overview — https://admissions.siu.edu/
College Scorecard — https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?149222-Southern-Illinois-University-Carbondale
Common Data Set 2024–25 (SIU Institutional Research)

✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships

SIU awards automatic scholarships based on your high school GPA. No extra forms, no essays—just apply for admission by the priority dates. These awards are renewable for four years as long as your student keeps their grades up and stays full-time.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?	Deadline
Maroon Scholarship	$1,500/yr	HS GPA 2.75–2.99	No	Yes — 3.0 GPA & 12+ credits/term	Solid “B” students who apply early	Rolling/when funds exhausted
Silver Scholarship	$2,500/yr	HS GPA 3.00–3.49	No	Yes — 3.0 GPA & 12+ credits/term	“B+/A-” students	Rolling/when funds exhausted
Gold Scholarship	$3,500/yr	HS GPA 3.50–3.79	No	Yes — 3.0 GPA & 12+ credits/term	“A-/B+” students	Rolling/when funds exhausted
University Excellence Scholarship	Up to $5,500/yr	HS GPA 3.80–4.00	No	Yes — 3.0 GPA & 12+ credits/term	Top “A-range” students	Rolling/when funds exhausted

SIU does not require test scores for these awards. Awards begin in the fall and continue until funding is exhausted. Check the scholarships page for full details and timeline.

FAQ

Do I need a separate scholarship application? No. You’re automatically considered once admitted and reviewed with official transcript credentials.

Does SIU superscore ACT/SAT? GPA only—test scores are not required for automatic awards.

Can merit awards stack with other aid? Yes—these automatic scholarships can stack with departmental, donor, and need-based grants, up to the cost of attendance. SIU’s Saluki Commitment program also fills tuition and fee gaps for eligible in-state students after scholarships/grants are applied.

Sources:
https://fao.siu.edu/scholarships/freshmen/
https://siu.academicworks.com/
https://fao.siu.edu/scholarships/types.php

🏆 Competitive Scholarships

These awards go beyond GPA—they’re limited in number and require extra steps like essays, applications, or interviews. The students who win them usually have top academics plus leadership or service that stand out.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?	Deadline
Chancellor’s Scholarship	Full tuition, fees, housing & meals (4 years) ~ $102,000 total	First-time freshmen, typically 3.9+ GPA, invited from University Excellence Scholar pool	Yes—application, essays, deadline Nov 1; finalists often interview	Yes—maintain 3.0 GPA & full-time status	Top-achieving A-range students with rigor, service, leadership	Nov 1
Provost’s Scholarship (Transfers)	Full tuition & mandatory fees (2 years) ~ $31,000 total	Dean’s Transfer Scholars with associate’s degree, entering SIU in Fall	Yes—competitive application	Yes—maintain 3.0 GPA	High-GPA transfers with leadership, service, associate’s degree	Varies (usually late spring)

FAQ

How competitive are these awards? Very—SIU typically awards only a few dozen Chancellor’s and Provost’s Scholarships each year, out of hundreds of applicants. Academic rigor, essays, and interviews are key.

Do they replace standard merit scholarships? Yes. Recipients hold the highest-value awards, which cover more than standard automatic offerings.

What else counts, besides GPA? Strong essays, leadership and service, and performance in interviews. These scholarships are holistic and reward well-rounded excellence.

When to apply? Chancellor’s: Nov 1. Provost’s: see transfer portal for annual cycle. Complete FAFSA and SIU apps early to maximize options.

Sources:
https://fao.siu.edu/scholarships/freshmen/
https://fao.siu.edu/scholarships/types.php
https://news.siu.edu/2025/08/27095613.html
https://news.siu.edu/2025/02/03092616.html
https://siu.academicworks.com/

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships

Beyond the big automatic and competitive awards, SIU has a range of programs that can quietly save families thousands. These are often need-based, identity-based, or tied to special opportunities like research, ROTC, study abroad, leadership, or donors/foundations. Many require a separate application through the Saluki Scholarship Portal or specific offices.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?	Deadline
Saluki Commitment (AIM High)	Covers tuition & fees after grants/scholarships	Illinois residents, FAFSA, income/asset limits	No—automatic via FAFSA	Yes, if criteria remain met	Pell-eligible students not covered by other grants	FAFSA opens Oct 1
REACH Undergraduate Research Awards	Up to $2,000 + stipend	Full-time undergrads, faculty-mentored research	Yes—competitive annual app	No—year specific	Mentored, research-focused students	Spring (varies)
Departmental & Donor Scholarships	$500–$5,000 typical	Varies by major, GPA, donor intent	Yes—Saluki Portal & specific programs	Varies	Students who match criteria or are active in college	Feb 1 (most)
Identity-Based & Foundation Awards	$500–$2,000 (varies)	First-gen, minority, women, or LGBTQ+ students	Yes— Saluki Portal, clubs or donor application	Sometimes	Active students engaged with campus, diversity or advocacy	Varies (most Feb–Apr)
Leadership & Service Awards	$500–$1,000 typical	Outstanding service or campus leadership	Yes—annual portal	No—one-time	Applicants with documented SIU leadership/history	Feb–Mar (annual)
Study Abroad Support (Salukis Abroad)	$1,000 typical, varies	Enrolled in SIU-approved study abroad program	Yes—application and essay	No—per trip	Planners who apply early and justify impact of travel	Varies (program deadlines)
Marching Band & Ensemble Stipends	$500–$1,000 typical	Band, music, or returning ensemble members	Sometimes—School of Music	Sometimes (if returning)	Musically talented/active members with attendance	Varies

FAQ

How do I find/apply for these? Log into the Saluki Scholarship Portal as soon as you’re admitted. Apply for FAFSA as early as possible to be considered for need-based awards. Many donor and club awards have unique criteria, so contact your academic college or campus offices for details.

Can these awards stack? In most cases, yes—departmental, foundation, and identity-based scholarships combine with merit up to total cost of attendance.

What deadlines matter most? Most scholarships open in October and have Feb 1–Mar 1 deadlines. Aid is reviewed as a total package, so start early.

Sources:
https://fao.siu.edu/scholarships/
https://siu.academicworks.com/
https://fao.siu.edu/scholarships/types.php
https://siualumni.com/scholarships
https://news.siu.edu/

🎖️ Honors College

SIU’s University Honors Program gives high-achieving students priority registration, small seminar courses, research and leadership opportunities, special recognition at graduation, and access to unique Honors-only scholarships. Admission is by application and usually requires a 3.3+ high school GPA or top 10% rank.

What a Typical SIU Honors Student Looks Like:
High school GPA ≥ 3.3 (often higher for major awards), AP/dual credit, leadership roles or service, and sincere interest in research or high-impact learning.
Based on SIU Honors and major scholarship recipient data.

Why It Matters:
Priority class registration, exclusive Honors housing, one-on-one faculty mentors, research funding, and Honors-specific awards. Honors students get extra support applying for national merit awards (Goldwater, Truman, Fulbright).

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?	Deadline
Provost Tuition Scholarship	$1,125 (applied to tuition bill)	New/current Honors students (application + short essay)	Yes—annual spring app	No—one-year, may reapply	Active Honors students w/ GPA ≥ 3.3, participation in program/community	March/April
Eva & Joe Corder Honors Scholarship	$1,100 (cash award for tuition)	Enrolled Honors students (merit + financial need)	Yes—application each spring	No—one-year	Honors students showing leadership/promise, often first-gen or underrepresented	March/April
Pam Huller Gwaltney Memorial	$750 (applied to tuition/remittance)	Honors upperclassmen (junior/senior)	Yes—application required	No—one-time	Engaged Honors students with strong service/mentorship	Spring
Albert & Leyla D. Somit Honors Program Scholarship	$1,100	Current Honors students w/ 3.3+ GPA	Yes—Honors Program scholarship form	No	Honors students active in academics/research/service	Spring
National and Major Scholarships (Goldwater, Truman, Udall, etc.)	$7,500–$30,000+ (external, highly competitive)	Honors students (soph/junior/senior), strong service, leadership, research potential	Yes—campus & national app/interview	No	Students mentored by Honors for national applications—e.g., Fulbright, Goldwater, Truman	Vary (Jan–Apr typical)

Eligibility and award amounts are based on SIU Honors and major scholarship sites; all are subject to fund availability and competitive review.

Honors Program FAQ

Is admission automatic? No—students must separately apply after SIU admission (rolling due dates; 3.3+ HS GPA or rank in top 10%).

Are Honors courses extra work? Honors seminars and requirements fit graduation timelines; most students finish in 4 years with recognition and extra résumé value.

Are there big awards offered only in Honors? Yes—several internal awards are reserved for active Honors members. Major national fellowship applications are also coordinated and mentored through the program.

Deadlines? Internal scholarship deadlines are spring semester; Goldwater, Truman, and other majors run Jan–Apr. Apply to the Honors Program as soon as you’re admitted to SIU.

Sources:
https://honors.siu.edu/scholarships/
https://majorscholarships.siu.edu/
https://catalog.siu.edu/programs/honors/
https://siu.academicworks.com/

⭐ College Specialty

Southern Illinois University Carbondale isn’t just another regional campus—it’s a public R2 research university with deep roots in hands-on programs. Families know SIU best for aviation, automotive, and forestry, but the university also nurtures unique programs like fermentation science that connect directly to growing industries.

Top Spotlight Program:
✈️ Aviation (Flight & Management) — SIU is one of the nation’s largest university-based aviation programs, accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) and a recognized partner in the American Airlines Cadet Academy. This makes it a direct pipeline for careers in commercial aviation.

Automotive Technology — One of the oldest and most respected programs in the country, with industry partnerships and a 187,000-sq-ft Transportation Education Center.
Forestry — Consistently ranked among the top forestry schools in the Midwest, benefiting from SIU’s proximity to the Shawnee National Forest.
Fermentation Science — Home to the Fermentation Science Institute and one of the few undergraduate fermentation science degrees nationwide, preparing students for careers in brewing, food science, and biotechnology.