Incoming Freshmen

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Last Updated: Sep 01, 2026, 09:16 AM

New Freshman Scholarships

The following offers require supplemental applications for consideration.  

How to Apply

  1. Apply for Admission. Applicants are automatically reviewed for academic merit-based scholarships based on qualifying credentials at the time of admission. Students will be notified of their scholarship offer by email after admission to the university.
  2. After admission, admitted students may sign in to the Saluki Scholarship Portal to submit the General Scholarship Application and other supplemental applications for their academic college, school or major. Applicants are matched with donor-funded scholarships between October and February , so apply early!

A student must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, undocumented resident, or deferred-action child to be eligible for our new freshman and transfer academic merit scholarships. Merit-based offers are offered to students taking classes on the SIU Carbondale campus. 

New Freshman Scholarships

Saluki Maroon

Criteria

  • 2.75 - 2.99 Unweighted GPA

Value

  • Up to $1,500/year for four years with a total value of up to $6,000

Awarding Timeline

  • Awarding begins in September for Fall 2027 admits.
  • Awarding begins in October for Spring 2028 admits.
  • Awarding concludes when funds are exhausted.

*Students who complete a Bachelor's Degree before entering SIU are ineligible. 

Saluki Silver

Criteria

  • 3.0 - 3.49 Unweighted GPA

Value

  • Up to $2,500/year for four years with a total value of up to $10,000

Awarding Timeline

  • Awarding begins in September for Fall 2027 admits.
  • Awarding begins in October for Spring 2028  admits.
  • Awarding concludes when funds are exhausted.

*Students who complete a Bachelor's Degree before entering SIU are ineligible. 

Saluki Gold

Criteria

  • 3.5 -3.79 Unweighted GPA

Value

  • Up to $3,500/year for four years with a total value of up to $14,000

Awarding Timeline

  • Awarding begins in September for Fall 2027 admits.
  • Awarding begins in October for Spring 2028 admits.
  • Awarding concludes when funds are exhausted.

*Students who complete a Bachelor's Degree before entering SIU are ineligible. 

University Excellence

Criteria

  • 3.8 or higher unweighted GPA 

Value

  • Up to $5,500/year for four years with a total value of  up to $22,000.

Awarding Timeline

  • Awarding begins in September for Fall 2027 admits.
  • Awarding begins in October for Spring 2028 admits.
  • Awarding concludes when funds are exhausted.

*Students who complete a Bachelor's Degree before entering SIU are ineligible. 

Recipients who are entering in Fall 2027 are eligible to apply for the Chancellor's Scholarship. 

Chancellor's Scholarship

Criteria

  • Recipient of University Excellence Scholarship
  • Complete Chancellor's Scholarship Application
  • Entering in Fall 2027

Value

  • Full tuition, mandatory fees, and on-campus housing and food for four years
  • Total value of more than $108,000

Awarding Timeline

  • Eligible applicants will receive email invite to apply after receiving their University Excellence Scholarship offer email. Applications are due November 1.
  • Decision notifications emailed in February. 

 *Students who complete a Bachelor's Degree before entering SIU are ineligible.

Donor-Funded Scholarship Opportunities

Over $4.3 Million in donor-funded scholarships are awarded to SIU Students every year.

Explore applying for scholarships in the Saluki Scholarship Portal as soon as you receive notification of admission from Undergraduate Admissions and have followed the steps to claim your Network ID. Prior to admission, you may search opportunities within the portal, but in order to be matched with scholarship applications and opportunities, you must be admitted. 

Scholarship applications for incoming undergraduate students open in October and selection begins immediately. Submit applications as soon as you are admitted.  Criteria may include, but is not limited to, academic achievement, potential contributions, service and leadership, and financial need.