Making Augustana Possible for students
Augustana Possible, a new financial aid program, enables the college to meet 100% of students’ demonstrated financial need. Since being launched two years ago, it has attracted millions of dollars in donor support. Find out how it works.
Augustana Possible is a bold new financial aid program that meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for qualifying newly enrolled students. High-achieving students with demonstrated financial need can achieve an Augustana education with Augustana Possible.
For fall of 2024, 156 students were recipients of Augustana Possible grants. Many are the first in their families to attend college.
This was the vision of Augustana College graduate Murry Gerber, who made the $40 million commitment to provide financial aid and scholarships to Augustana students with backgrounds similar to his own. His vision has inspired many other donors to bring Augustana Possible to life for future students and alumni.
Eligibility
Augustana Possible meets the demonstrated financial need of every eligible student using available funds from federal, state and college sources.
To determine financial eligibility, submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid, available for some students living in Illinois.
Academic eligibility is defined by recalculated* GPA of 3.5 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) and class rank (when available) of top 20%. More than 60% of admitted students are academically eligible for Augustana Possible, and about 25% are first-generation college students.
Transfer students may be eligible with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 in a minimum of 12 credit hours and high financial need.
→ Interested in seeing if you might qualify academically for Augustana Possible? Complete Augustana College’s Merit Scholarship Estimator, which includes an option to upload an unofficial transcript.
How Augustana Possible works
Here are examples of how Augustana Possible makes Augustana an affordable reality for three different qualifying students/families, with the direct cost of $62,000 for one year at Augustana College:
Student A
| Student Aid Index (SAI) | $375 |
| Demonstrated need | $61,625 |
| Total awards and loans** | $56,195 |
| Augustana Possible grant | $5,400 |
Student B
| Student Aid Index (SAI) | $4,998 |
| Demonstrated need | $57,002 |
| Total awards and loans** | $52,095 |
| Augustana Possible grant | $4,900 |
Student C
| Student Aid Index (SAI) | $10,618 |
| Demonstrated need | $51,382 |
| Total awards and loans** | $42,750 |
| Augustana Possible grant | $8,600 |
*A recalculated GPA is the best predictor of student success at Augustana College. The Office of Admissions automatically recalculates a student's high school GPA to standardize it across the entire applicant pool. Coursework in the following areas is included in the recalculation: English, lab science, mathematics, social studies and foreign language. Grades in such courses are recalculated and standardized on a 4.0 grading scale. The high school profile is a useful tool in helping ensure proper grade translation. Rigor of coursework, including honors level, AP, dual enrollment and IB, is considered, but not within the recalculation of the GPA.
**Your award total will include Augustana merit scholarships and other institutional awards, plus any federal and state grants and loans. An Augustana Possible Grant, along with all additional financial aid for which you are eligible, will meet the direct cost of Augustana.