BOURBONNAIS, IL – Olivet Nazarene University has made higher education more accessible to students and families with a new initiative called Zero Tuition for Qualified Illinois Students.
The university will provide financial support to assist ONU students and families from Illinois, with qualifying students now paying zero tuition to attend Olivet Nazarene University.
“Olivet has made college affordability a priority,” said university president Dr. Gregg Chenoweth. This initiative is one of several strategies that target areas of greatest need, resulting in the average debt for Olivet students decreasing year over year.
The university’s nimble approach to student financial aid packaging, combined with the recent increase to the Illinois MAP grant and increased Pell Grant program, has helped make this initiative a reality. Students who have completed the FAFSA and meet Adjusted Gross Income criteria, and plan to live on-campus, are eligible for the program.
Olivet has committed to providing additional aid to cover the remaining tuition costs after all ONU grants and scholarships, and state and federal grant funding have been applied. Current students will automatically be considered for the Zero Tuition initiative, and new Illinois students who qualify can expect to see the Zero Tuition option offered in their Financial Aid award packages for Fall of 2023.
The university earned the 2023 US News badge for “Best Value” among colleges in the Midwest and is recognized as a College of Distinction. Based on recent data, nearly 37% of all Illinois households will meet the financial criteria for the Zero Tuition initiative.
“We are thrilled to offer an “Education with a Christian Purpose” to some who thought an ONU degree was out of reach,” said Kimberly Strickland, director of new student financial aid.
For full details, and to watch the announcement video, visit Olivet.edu.
