EIU4 Parents
Eastern Illinois University is one of only two state schools in Illinois that offers students a four-year graduation guarantee in certain majors. This is important because nationwide only 1 in 4 students complete their degree on time and nearly half take 5 years or more. These added semesters mean added time and expense. Below you will find some frequently asked questions about the four-year graduation guarantee.What are the "bottom line" costs of prolonged education?
For the 2009-2010 academic year, the total educational cost (including
tuition, fees, and room and board) for a full-time Illinois resident taking 15
hours at EIU and living on-campus under the 15-meal option is $17,197. For
students who remain in school longer than eight semesters, these costs represent
a substantial expense. In addition, if it takes longer than necessary to
graduate, your student sacrifices income they could be earning.
Does my student need to apply to EIU4 to be considered for the four-year guarantee?
No. Regularly admitted students who qualify for the four-year guarantee will be notified at the beginning of their freshman year via postal mail. EIU4 status can also be checked at any time via the PAWS degree audit.
Who is eligible for EIU4?
First-time, full-time freshmen who are regularly admitted and ready to declare an eligible major may participate in EIU4. Currently, Presidential admits are not included in the EIU4 guarantee. In addition, those students who are unable to complete ¼ of their course requirements in one academic year because of deficiencies in high school course work or ACT scores are not eligible for EIU4. However, undeclared students able to declare a major by May 1 of their freshman year are eligible for EIU4.
EIU4's eligibility policies are available here.
What majors are eligible?
All majors are eligible for EIU4, except: All teacher education programs,
athletic training, environmental biology, clinical laboratory science, and the
engineering and nursing cooperatives.
What happens if my student becomes ineligible for EIU4?
If your student becomes ineligible for EIU4 (either by altering his or her program of study
or failing to meet one or more of the student responsibilities), they simply give
up the four-year graduation guarantee. They face no penalties for being unable to
complete the program. However, the total cost of their degree--including their
tuition rate--will increase if it takes them longer than four years to earn
it.
Is this the same as the four-year guaranteed tuition?
No. Eastern automatically fixes tuition for all new undergraduate Illinois
resident students for four continuous academic years at the rate for the first
semester at EIU. However, students who complete their responsibilities for EIU4
can more accurately estimate their expenses and ensure that they will graduate
before their tuition increases with the addition of a four-year graduation
guarantee from EIU4.
What does my student need to do to ensure they remain eligible for the guarantee?
A complete listing of the student responsibilities is available here, including the four-year guarantee.
