Providing capable students with access to Saint Louis University鈥檚 life-changing education and experience, regardless of their financial circumstances, is an essential part of our Jesuit identity.
A degree from Saint Louis University opens doors and changes lives.
It鈥檚 also expensive. Scholarships bring all the benefits of a SLU education within reach. In a marketplace as competitive as higher education, they also help us attract the best students to our campus, elevating Saint Louis University's reputation and creating an ever strong community of graduates. Today鈥檚 students are tomorrow鈥檚 leaders and innovators. An investment in them is an investment in our shared future.
We are committed to making SLU a possibility for as many students as we can. Supporting scholarships has an immediate and profound impact on SLU students, creating opportunities, lowering debt loads and bringing all the benefits of a degree from Saint Louis University within reach. Each year, about 90% of students at SLU receive financial aid, giving students access to life-changing education and experiences.
It鈥檚 truly been a blessing to not really have to pay too much to go to school and to leave SLU nearly debt-free. For the type of premier institution that we are and the offerings that I鈥檝e been blessed with, I just can鈥檛 think of any other situation where I would have been supported so greatly and left with such a great education without paying so much more.鈥� 鈥� Aric Hamilton (A&S '23)
Creating a Named Scholarship
Named scholarships are funds supporting Saint Louis University students and honor the donor or a person of their choosing. Named scholarships primarily assist students by reducing their tuition costs. Scholarships can be created to cover additional educational expenses, including books, fees, study abroad and on-campus housing.
As long as the minimum gift commitment to create a scholarship is met, anyone can create a named scholarship, including current and past faculty or staff, parents, alumni, companies/corporate partners and organizations.
FAQ
The minimum gift commitment to establish a new named endowed scholarship at SLU supporting undergraduate students is $50,000. For graduate/professional programs, the minimum commitment is $100,000.
The minimum commitment to create a new named term scholarship at SLU supporting undergraduate students is $10,000. The commitment to support a graduate/professional program is $25,000.
Named endowed scholarships exist in perpetuity and grow through the University鈥檚 endowment. Each year, SLU uses the income from the endowment to support deserving students based on the criteria set by the founding donor. Endowed scholarships have the most flexibility to be customized based on the donor鈥檚 wishes. They can be restricted based on school/college, major, geographic region, academic merit, financial need or a combination of those listed.
Term scholarships are awarded based on the fund's balance and how much is contributed by the donor each year. Term scholarships have less flexibility to customize the recipient criteria and are typically limited to a school/college the donor wishes to support and financial need.
Endowed scholarships become available to be awarded during the fiscal year that follows their establishment. The gift, however, will be entered into the University鈥檚 records immediately, and its value will be tracked separately. Income available for spending, in accordance with the endowment鈥檚 stated purpose, is calculated based on a spending rate approved annually by the University鈥檚 Board of Trustees.
Term scholarships operate on a positive balance basis and are awardable based on the available balance at the time of award within the University鈥檚 standard cycle of operation. Term scholarships are distributed within the University鈥檚 annual award cycle.
Regional Scholarships
Many SLU alumni clubs fund scholarships for undergraduate students, supporting the next generation of Billikens and fostering connections in their local communities. Regional scholarships are granted to students who best display a dedication to the mission of SLU and live in the alumni club鈥檚 region.
Learn More
Have additional questions about supporting or establishing a scholarship at SLU? Contact us at giving@slu.edu.