In response, Saint Louis University (SLU) is breaking new ground to support students and families as they try to navigate this historically challenging financial aid application season. 

SLU is launching an institutional aid application mirroring the FAFSA, enabling families to receive comprehensive financial aid awards by the end of February.

While families will still need to file a FAFSA, the proactive financial aid awards provided by SLU will stand independently of the FAFSA filing. 

In addition to the institutional aid application, SLU is taking other proactive steps to ensure students and families receive timely financial aid awards: 

Suspension of Financial Aid Application Deadlines: SLU is suspending all application-for-financial-aid deadlines, allowing families to submit applications when they are able to do so. 

Extended Financial Aid Counseling Hours: SLU will offer extended financial aid counseling hours to accommodate families' questions and concerns, both online and in person, meeting them wherever they are in the process. 

"Selecting a college is a monumental decision, and the FAFSA delay only adds an extra layer of stress,” said Rob Reddy, SLU’s vice president for enrollment management. "We understand the magnitude of this decision for families, and we are committed to supporting them throughout the process.” 

“SLU has always taken a personalized approach to financial aid,” Reddy added. “Taking these innovative actions is a way for us to live our Jesuit mission and to extend a helping hand to students and families at a time they need it most.” 

The University is reaching out to families to let them know that SLU is working on a solution to address the FAFSA delay and will be sending them additional information in the coming days and weeks. Once launched, the new SLU institutional aid application will be available in the Billiken Gateway portal, a secure system families and students already use.