Starting in fall 2026, Saint Louis University will offer full undergraduate tuition coverage to eligible low-income students, a move aimed at addressing growing concerns about college affordability and shifting enrollment patterns at private universities.
Under the new SLU Tuition Promise, first-time freshmen from families with an adjusted gross income of $60,000 or less — and limited assets — will be able to attend the university without paying undergraduate tuition. Tuition will be covered through a combination of federal and state grants and institutional gift aid.
The initiative comes as colleges nationwide face increased price sensitivity among prospective students and their families, often earlier in the college search process. SLU officials say the program is designed to remove financial uncertainty before students ever apply, signaling that cost alone should not eliminate the university from consideration.
“Across the country and here at SLU, students and families are becoming more price sensitive, even earlier in the college search process,” said Jean Marie Cox, the university’s interim vice president for enrollment management. “A tuition promise takes this further. It tells students and families upfront that tuition will not be an obstacle to earning a Jesuit education at SLU, even before they apply or complete a FAFSA.”
Unlike traditional financial aid packages that combine multiple awards and estimates, promise-style programs emphasize clarity and predictability, university officials said. Research in higher education shows such programs are often easier for families to understand, particularly those navigating the college process for the first time.
“Promise programs are simple and transparent,” said Alex DeLonis, assistant vice president of student financial services. “They reduce the confusion that can come with layered financial aid awards that may feel uncertain or complex to families.”
University leaders said the tuition promise is expected to reach academically prepared students who might otherwise dismiss a private university as unaffordable.
“For families with limited financial resources, a clear tuition promise can change whether SLU is even considered in the first place,” Cox said.
To ensure eligible families understand the program, SLU plans to expand outreach through high school guidance counselors and direct conversations with students and parents. Admissions and financial aid offices will also coordinate messaging to emphasize a single, consistent message.
“If you qualify and meet the deadline, your tuition will be covered,” DeLonis said. “Removing costs is the first step. Removing confusion ensures families can take full advantage of the Tuition Promise.”
The program will be renewable for up to 10 consecutive semesters, provided students continue to meet income and financial aid requirements and remain in good academic standing. Participants will also be required to live on campus, a condition the university says supports student retention and academic success.
While there is no formal cap on the number of students who may qualify, SLU will guarantee funding for eligible students who submit their enrollment deposit by May 1, the national college decision deadline. According to Cox, that deadline allows the university to model participation levels well in advance of the academic year.
Cox said the program was designed with long-term sustainability in mind, with eligibility guidelines and annual financial aid reviews intended to keep the initiative financially predictable. Once awarded, the tuition promise will be renewed for students who continue to meet program requirements.
University officials say success will be measured by more than enrollment numbers alone. SLU plans to track graduation rates, student debt levels and post-graduation outcomes for participants.
“Enrollment is just the start,” Cox said. “We’ll look at how students do while they’re here and after they graduate.”
While the program does not cover room, board or books, DeLonis said eliminating tuition is expected to significantly reduce the amount of student loan debt participants carry after graduation.
“This program reduces the need for loans so students can focus on completing their degrees and starting their next steps after graduation with greater financial freedom,” he said.
The tuition promise builds on other recent financial aid investments at SLU, including nearly $3 million in new scholarships for local students pursuing undergraduate degrees in education, social work and criminal justice. University officials have also said they expect all incoming first-year students enrolling this fall to receive some form of financial assistance.