Types of Aid | Financial Aid Office | SIU

The Financial Aid Office (FAO) at Southern Illinois University (SIU) Carbondale assists students by offering financial aid to help pay for their post-secondary education. Financial aid is available from federal, state, institutional and private sources.  Financial aid is available to students with financial need and those without need. 

The four primary types of financial aid programs are as follows:

• Scholarships – Gift aid that is offered based on a variety of factors such as academic achievement, talent, athletic ability, leadership, geographical location, field of study and/or financial need. Scholarships do not have to be repaid. 
• Grants - Gift aid that is offered based on demonstrated financial need.  Grants do not have to be repaid.
• Student Loans – Funds that are borrowed to help pay for educational expenses.  Loans must be repaid, usually with interest.
• Student Employment - Funds that can be earned by working in exchange for wages that do not have to be repaid.
• AIM HIGH -The Saluki Commitment - If your financial aid offer does not completely pay for your tuition and mandatory fees, we will close the gap.

Students apply for financial aid by completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, using our School Code of 001758 as soon after October 1 as possible. This enables the Financial Aid Office to determine eligibility for the various financial aid programs.   The total amount of financial aid that a student receives is referred to as the student’s financial aid offer.