BYU has a New 'Promise' to Help Eligible Freshmen Pay Tuition in 2021

BYU has recently launched its new financial-aid program to help incoming freshmen who are Pell Grant-eligible to pay tuition for eight semesters starting in the 2021-22 academic year.

According to the university, the “Cougar Pell Promise is not a loan, grant, or scholarship. It is a university guarantee to cover any remaining gaps in undergraduate Latter-day Saint tuition charges after grants, scholarships, and benefits are received for eight semesters.”

According to its website, the initial qualifications are:

Be admitted to BYU as a freshman student by the first fall semester after high school graduation.
Complete the online scholarship application by the published scholarship deadline.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the published scholarship deadline and be certified as Pell-eligible.

In order for students to maintain their benefits, they must:

Complete the online scholarship application each year by the continuing student scholarship deadline.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year by January 20.
Maintain a 2.00 cumulative BYU GPA.
Enroll in 12.0 credit hours each semester. Cougar Pell Promise does not cover spring or summer terms.

Students will be notified of the Cougar Pell Promise the same day as their admissions decision. Recipients will be able to monitor and track their Cougar Pell Promise each semester through a customized dashboard.