ONU Zero Tuition

We believe “Education With a Christian Purpose” should be affordable.

Committed to Affordability

The ONU ZERO Tuition is an Olivet program created as a result of our PAVER Affordability Priority to make ONU more accessible and affordable for all – covering TUITION for students who qualify.

 

Program Details

Beginning fall 2023, the ONU ZERO Tuition program will provide financial support for Illinois undergraduate students. Eligible Illinois students can now attend ONU – a premier Christian University, without the burden of finances so they can start and finish their education.

With the ONU ZERO Tuition, qualifying full-time Illinois residents who have completed their FAFSA can now attend ONU with their tuition covered depending on Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) for up to four (4) years (8 full-time consecutive semesters of 12-18 credits). This program is “last-dollar” ONU funding that cover the remaining tuition cost, after all other ONU grants and scholarships, state and federal grant funding have been applied.

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The ONU ZERO Tuition is based on your family’s adjusted gross income (AGI) as reported on the FAFSA.

*If your family AGI is below $60,000 and you meet the program requirements below, your out of pocket costs for tuition shall be $0 beginning with your 2023-2024 academic year.

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Program Requirements

Eligibility for the ONU ZERO Tuition is based on your family’s actual adjusted gross income (AGI) as reflected on your family’s 2021 IRS Tax Return(s) and will be included as part of your financial aid offer. To qualify, you must:

  • Meet the Department of Education’s FAFSA eligibility requirements
  • Have a family AGI below $60,000 on the FAFSA (required for renewal)
  • Be an Illinois resident who qualifies for IL MAP Grant (also required for renewal)
  • Live on-campus
  • Enroll full-time in at least 12 credits per semester (15 credits recommended)
  • Attend classes in person on the main campus in Bourbonnais
  • Require additional funding to meet the full cost of tuition after all ONU, state and federal funding and private aid that is designated for Tuition only
  • Be an Illinois undergraduate student pursuing your first Bachelor’s degree
  • Meet ONU Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards to qualify
  • Complete verification, if selected, by submitting all requested documents by the established deadline.
  • ONU ZERO Tuition recipients must meet this requirement each year to remain eligible.
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Funding Coverage

Olivet Nazarene University reserves the right to replace part or all of your ONU ZERO Tuition funding with Endowed Funds as they become available to help with the coverage of your tuition and stretch resources to meet as much need as possible.

Answers to Common Questions

Program Questions

The ONU ZERO Tuition covers the cost of tuition for up to four (4) years (8 full-time consecutive semesters of 12-18 credits) at Olivet Nazarene University for qualifying students. This program does not cover fees, housing, nor meals. No other coverage is associated with this program. Excludes summer and overload tuition.

The ONU ZERO Tuition will cover the cost of tuition for the number of full-time semesters required to complete your first bachelor’s degree up to four (4) years (8 full-time consecutive semesters of 12-18 credits).

Consideration Questions

Once we receive your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you will automatically be considered for the ONU Zero Tuition. The deadline to qualify for the 2023-24 academic year will coincide with the FAFSA filing deadline established by the State of Illinois for the IL MAP Grant or the start of the semester – whichever is earlier. We encourage students to file their FAFSA as early as possible annually.

Apply for Admission to ONU and be accepted by August 1, 2023. Click to Apply today!

Academic Progress Questions

All ONU ZERO Tuition students must meet the ONU Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards each semester to continue receiving ONU ZERO Tuition funding. Click here to see the ONU Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards [Scroll down to Scholarship Requirement].

Please note that some academic departments may have GPA and progress requirements which may be higher than the SAP requirements to remain in the respective programs.

Students must enroll in a minimum of 12 credits (18 max) each semester to qualify for the ONU ZERO Tuition. We recommend that students enroll in 15 credit hours each semester as that keeps them on track to graduate in four (4) years or less. We also recommend that students meet with their academic advisor regularly to track their program success and graduation progress.

Eligibility Questions

To qualify for the ONU ZERO Tuition, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Have a family AGI below $60,000 on the FAFSA (required for renewal)
  • Be an Illinois resident who qualifies for IL MAP Grant (also required for renewal)
  • Live on-campus
  • Enroll full-time in at least 12 credits per semester (15 credits recommended)
  • Attend classes in person on the main campus in Bourbonnais
  • Require additional funding to meet the full cost of tuition after all ONU, state and federal funding and private aid that is designated for Tuition only
  • Be an Illinois undergraduate student pursuing your first Bachelor’s degree
  • Meet ONU Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards to qualify
  • Complete verification, if selected, by submitting all requested documents by the established deadline. ONU ZERO Tuition recipients must meet this requirement each year to remain eligible.

Student athletic program funding is separate from ONU ZERO Tuition. Athletes are not eligible for this program.

Some students will not require additional funding to meet the full cost of 2023-24 tuition at $36,950 because their ONU, state and federal funding (plus any private scholarships designated for Tuition only) will meet or exceed the tuition cost. These students do not require the assistance of the ONU ZERO Tuition as their tuition cost is already covered. It is our goal to use the ONU ZERO Tuition funding to reach and help more students achieve a premier Christian education who currently are unable to afford the cost of tuition.

To continue to qualify for the ONU ZERO Tuition, you must continue to meet the program requirements each year.

Students who meet all eligibility criteria may receive the ONU ZERO Tuition up to 4 years (8 full-time consecutive semesters of 12-18 credits).

The family adjusted gross income (AGI) is a combination of the student’s actual AGI and their parent’s actual AGI as reflected on their 2021 Federal IRS tax return(s).

Yes, students are automatically considered each year.

The ONU ZERO Tuition program provides financial support to qualifying undergraduate students.

The VERITAS, ONU+ and continuing studies programs already have a discount built into their pricing – set to be competitive among industry programs of their kind. The ONU ZERO Tuition program does not include our online and continuing studies programs.

Additional Questions

New Incoming Students:
For additional information about the ONU ZERO Tuition program, please contact your New Student Financial Aid Advisor or Admissions Counselor.

Returning Students:
For additional information about the ONU ZERO Tuition program, please contact the Student Finance Team:

email: studentfinance@olivet.edu
phone: 815-939-5245
In-person: visit the Miller Business Center