Southern Stars

Students eligible for Southern Stars receive a tuition rate 20% below our standard in-state tuition rate. This amounts to a savings of more than $5000 over four years.

Eligibility requirements for Southern Stars

• Apply and be admitted as a first time freshman at SIU
  • be a U.S. citizen, or other eligible non-citizen
  • be enrolled in a two- or four-year degree program
  • be enrolled at least half-time

• Live in Southern Illinois
  
  The following counties are classified as being in southern Illinois for the purpose of deterimining eligibility for Southern Stars: Alexander, Bond, Clay, Clinton, Crawford, Edwards, Effingham, Fayette, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Massac, Monroe, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Richland, Randolph, Saline, St. Clair, Union, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, White, and Williamson

• Work hard in High School
  
  Finish a Rigorous Secondary School Program of Study which includes at least:

• 4 years of English
• 3 years of math, including algebra I and a higher level course such as algebra II or geometry, among others
• 3 years of science, including at least two courses from among biology, chemistry or physics
• 3 years of social studies
• 1 year of foreign language
  
  Take Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses and provide appropriate test scores.

• Apply for financial aid and be determined eligible for a Pell Grant