Financial Aid Programs

Financial Aid Programs

Scholarships

Our merit scholarships are designed to reward those students who have been academically dedicated and engaged in their educational experience. These scholarships are awarded each year to the new incoming first-year and transfer students who attend full-time. The awards below represent the awarding scale for Fall 2024-Spring 2025. All GPAs are calculated on a 4.0 scale.

• Charles & Dianna Colman Scholarship: Award amounts are up to full tuition. This scholarship may be awarded to high-achieving students with a GPA above 3.75. Eligible students will be contacted regarding additional steps needed to apply. These scholarships are limited in number and awarded to students admitted by December 18.
• Trustee Scholarship: Award amounts are up to 75% of tuition. This scholarship may be awarded to high-achieving students with a GPA above 3.5. Eligible students will be contacted regarding additional steps needed to apply. These scholarships are limited in number and awarded to students admitted by December 18.
• Deans Scholarship: First-year students with a GPA of 3.8 or higher may receive up to $19,000 annually. Transfer students with a 3.7 GPA or higher may receive up to $16,000 annually.
• Phi Theta Kappa Award: Transfer students who can demonstrate membership in Phi Theta Kappa may be awarded up to $16,000 annually.
• Academic Excellence Scholarship: First-year students with a GPA between 3.40 and 3.799 may receive up to $17,000 annually. Transfer students with a GPA between 3.25 and 3.699 may receive up to $14,000 annually.
• Founders Award: First-year students with a GPA between 3.0 and 3.399 may receive up to $16,000 annually. Transfer students with a GPA between 2.75 and 3.249 may receive up to $13,000 annually.
• Recognition Award: First-year students with a GPA between 2.65 and 2.999 may receive up to $15,000 annually. Transfer students with a GPA between 2.4 and 2.749 may receive up to $12,000 annually.
• Regent Award: First-year students with a GPA below 2.65 may receive up to $12,000 annually. Transfer students with a GPA below 2.4 may receive up to $10,000 annually.
• Pfeffer Scholarship supports an incoming female first-year student majoring in science or math who intends to pursue a course of study that would lead her to a career in medicine or medical research.

Horizon Grant and Tuition Lock

Rockford University recently announced a locked-in tuition rate for new students. For more information on this head here.

RU also has a new Horizon Grant to help students attend RU for just $5,000 per year. More information on the Horizon Grant can be found here. 

Grants and Loans

We’ll do everything we can to help you afford Rockford University. That’s why we offer our own grants and loans to supplement your state and federal aid.

• Rockford University Grants. Awarded to full-time students on the basis of need. Amounts are determined by the students need and GPA.
• Family Grants. One-time grants of up to $500 for families who have more than one full-time undergraduate student attending Rockford University.
• Out-Of-State Matching Grants. Need-based grant awarded to full-time students who are non-Illinois residents. Up to $3,000.
• Alumni Legacy Grants. Grant for full-time students enrolling in Rockford University who are the children or grandchildren of Rockford alumni. $2,000 for residential students and $1,000 for commuter students.
• Helen L. Grant Loan. No-interest loans that are eligibility-based and available to students after establishing a Rockford academic record.  **Beginning with the 2016-2017 academic year, this is now known as the Helen L. Grant Scholarship and does not require repayment.

State and Federal Grants and Loans

The less time you spend worrying about money, the more time you can spend learning and making a difference in the world. We encourage you to check out state and federal financial aid opportunities. Rockford University, in conjunction with the State of Illinois, awards competitive financial aid packages to students – like you – in the form of grants and scholarships. And you don’t have to be from the Prairie State, either. We also offer need-based grants to students from other states, so you can attend Rockford University no matter what state you call home.

• Illinois Minority Teachers Corp. Awards of up to $5,000 per year for a maximum of four semesters.
• Monetary Award Program (MAP). Provides grant assistance to eligible Illinois students demonstrating financial need. Must apply by the deadline determined by the State of Illinois. For more information, visit www.collegezone.com.

There are a number of federal programs available to help you with tuition. These aren’t handouts—some will need to be repaid—but they are a leg-up on dealing with university costs.

• Federal Pell Grants. Need-based federal grants awarded for up to $7,395.* 2023-2024 grants awarded up to $7,395.*
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG). Need-based grants that range from $200 to $2,000 and determined by Student Administrative Services (SAS).
• Federal Subsidized Direct Loans. Students may borrow up to $3,500 as first-year students, up to $4,500 as sophomores, up to $5,500 as juniors and seniors. Please refer to our Loan Information page for more details.
• Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loans. Independent students may borrow up to $6,000 per year as first-year students and sophomores and up to $7,000 as juniors and seniors. Graduate students can borrow up to $20,500 per year. Repayment schedules are currently the same as subsidized Direct Loans. Dependent students may borrow up to $2,000 in unsubsidized Direct Loans.  Lifetime maximum for undergraduates is $31,000 dependent, $57,500 independent student.  Please refer to our Loan Information page for more details.
• Federal Perkins Loans. Need-based loans with a maximum value of $8,000 over four years. **program not available for the 2018-2019 school year and going forward
• Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS). Designed specifically for parents, this program allows them to borrow the difference between aid awarded and actual tuition costs.

*Maximum amounts are determined by federal guidelines and subject to change.

Disbursements

Financial aid is disbursed to a student’s account on a semester basis based on enrollment. Books and supplies may be purchased and charged at the bookstore on to a student’s account a minimum of 10 days prior to the start of the term, as long as all financial aid, including Pell grants, is completed, accepted, and will create an excess of funds.

Study Abroad

Enrollment in a program of study abroad approved for credit by the home school may be considered enrollment in the home school for purposes of applying for federal student financial aid.  Please contact the Office of Student Administrative Services for eligibility information.

Work-Study Programs

It’s often been said that hard work is its own reward. We couldn’t agree more. We have numerous opportunities for you to work part time on campus and earn money at the same time. We have both federal and institutional funding.

More info about Student Employment opportunities.

Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program

Rockford University is a proud member of the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement program. To Receive Post–9/11 and Yellow Ribbon Program Benefits, apply through the Veterans Administration (VA) by visiting www.va.gov or calling 1-888-GI-BILL-1.

Submit your certificate of eligibility to Rockford University’s certifying official:

Todd Fischer-Free, AVP of Enrollment Management

• Rockford University, 5050 E. State Street, Rockford, IL  61108
• Email: tfischer-free@rockford.edu
• Phone: 815-226-3385
• Fax: 815-394-5174

Apply for admission to Rockford University.

Acceptance into the Yellow Ribbon Program will be on a first-come, first-served basis. First-come is defined as a student who has completed all admission requirements, as well as submitted all documents regarding eligibility for the Post–9/11 and Yellow Ribbon Programs.