SVSU Cardinal Commitment FAQs

The SVSU Cardinal Commitment is part of SVSU’s plan to make a first-class education and career opportunities accessible to Michigan families. This financial aid package provides free eligible tuition for incoming first-time college students who are Michigan residents, have a combined student and family adjusted gross income of $50,000 or less and meet the eligibility requirements. The SVSU Cardinal Commitment covers eligible tuition for new first-time college students for up to four (4) continuous years or through completion of first bachelor's degree, whichever is sooner.

Michigan residents who graduated from high school in 2018 - 2022 and are admitted as new first time in college, full-time undergraduate students for fall 2022. Combined student and family adjusted gross annual income must be $50,000 or less, and total assets must be less than $50,000 (see exceptions under “What assets are considered?”), as reported on the FAFSA.

Students must submit an admissions application to Saginaw Valley State University and complete a FAFSA. Be sure to include the Saginaw Valley State University Federal School Code (002314) on your FAFSA to make this process easier for you. There is no additional application required for The Cardinal Commitment. You will be automatically enrolled if you qualify.

This award is based on tuition at the undergraduate rate minus any scholarships and grants received from federal or state agencies, SVSU and/or other off-campus organizations, companies, etc. The award can be adjusted if your tuition or other scholarships, grants, or aid change after initial awarding. If your tuition is fully covered by other grants, scholarships, and other outside aid, then you will not receive additional funds for this award.

A student's total financial aid package cannot exceed their estimated cost of attendance or calculated financial need.

Your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is a combination of the parent’s and student’s income as reported on the IRS Form 1040 (or the FAFSA if IRS 1040 is not required).

The combined asset information reported on the FAFSA for the parent(s) and the student will also be considered in determining your eligibility for the program. Total assets must be less than $50,000 (see exceptions below). The asset information requested on the FAFSA includes the following:

• Total current balance of cash, savings, and checking accounts
• Net worth of investments (certain assets are excluded, including your primary residence and retirement plans, such as a 401k and pension funds)
• Net worth of your current business and/or investment farm (does not include the value of certain small, family-owned businesses)

For more information regarding the reportable assets, please visit the Federal Student Aid website.

Yes, to determine SVSU Cardinal Commitment eligibility, students are required to submit the FAFSA on an annual basis. Students must meet the eligibility requirements to receive federal aid. More information can be found at www.studentaid.gov. Students are encouraged to file the FAFSA as soon as possible after it becomes available on October 1. The university offers other scholarships that are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so getting the FAFSA in early helps make more funding options available to you.

You will receive an email notification regarding your eligibility for the Cardinal Commitment. You will also be able to see that grants, scholarships and aid will equal or exceed your tuition costs.

SVSU has the lowest university tuition in the state of Michigan. If you do not qualify for The Cardinal Commitment, there are many other scholarship and financial aid options available to you. We are dedicated to making a first-class SVSU education accessible and affordable for all of our students.

It is important that you file the FAFSA as you may be eligible for other scholarships and grants. Learn more about our other scholarships.

Please contact the Campus Financial Services Center at cfsc@svsu.edu or (989) 964-4900 to discuss your circumstances. They can provide more specific information for you.

The scholarship covers undergraduate rate tuition. The scholarship does not cover the differential cost between professional level undergraduate or graduate level courses that are charged at a higher rate and the standard undergraduate tuition rate. It also does not cover other course or program specific fees. If you have specific questions regarding which costs are covered, please contact the Campus Financial Services Center at cfsc@svsu.edu or (989) 964-4900 to discuss your circumstances.

The SVSU Cardinal Commitment only covers certain tuition as discussed in the previous question. You are responsible for additional costs such as room and board, books, course-specific fees, transportation expenses, study abroad, or other miscellaneous student expenses. It also does not cover forfeiture fees related to courses that are dropped.

For students who met the criteria in the Fall and Winter semesters, eligible tuition for courses taken during the immediately following Spring and Summer semesters are eligible under this award. Full-time status is not required in the Spring or Summer semesters.

No. Only new SVSU first time in college students can be considered for The SVSU Cardinal Commitment program.

No. There is no on-campus housing requirement included with The SVSU Cardinal Commitment program. However, you may be eligible for additional housing scholarships.

New first-time-in-college students are eligible for up to four (4) continuous years or through completion of first bachelor’s degree, whichever is sooner, as long as you continue to meet eligibility requirements.

Federal and institutional gift and grant aid will automatically be renewed for students who continue to qualify. In order to meet the requirements for renewal you must:

• Complete the FAFSA each academic year you attend to show that you continue to meet income and asset requirements
• Maintain a 2.0 SVSU cumulative GPA and meet satisfactory academic progress
• Maintain full-time enrollment: students must be enrolled in at last 12 credit hours during the Fall and Winter semesters and complete at least 24 credit hours between the two terms combined.

No. The SVSU Cardinal Commitment does not cover degrees or programs beyond your first bachelor’s degree.

No. The SVSU Cardinal Commitment does not cover degrees or programs beyond your first bachelor’s degree.

Students must be full-time (minimum of 12 credits each) during the Fall and Winter semesters to be eligible. You do not have to be full-time during the Spring and Summer semesters.

No. This is only for incoming first time in college students.