The Stephens Promise FAQs
Who is eligible for The Stephens Promise program?
Students are eligible if their annual adjusted family income is less than $75,000 (as reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Students also are required to:
- have a GPA of 3.3 or greater
- be residential students (live on campus)
- be enrolled full time in an undergraduate program
- file the FAFSA every year by the priority deadline of March 15th
The program will be available to all current, new and transfer undergraduate students who meet the criteria.
What is the Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)? How is it calculated? How do I find my family’s AGI?
AGI is reported on your federal tax documents. However, for The Stephens Promise program, we utilize the FAFSA , and the AGI reported there, for the income threshold. It is important to remember that the FAFSA uses tax information from two years ago. So, when filling out the 2024-2025 FAFSA, your family will report tax information from 2022.
For the GPA requirement, is the GPA for high school or college?
For incoming first-year students, it is high school. For transfer students, it is college.
Do students have to maintain a 3.3 GPA for the entirety of their college career in order to remain eligible?
Yes. The 3.3 GPA requirement must continue to be met in order to receive Stephens Promise, along with the other awarding criteria (AGI of $75,000 or less as reported on the FAFSA, live on campus, be enrolled full-time). Additionally, the student must submit their FAFSA to Stephens College by the FAFSA priority deadline.
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Does Stephens have a FAFSA priority deadline?
Yes, Stephens College’s FAFSA priority deadline for the 2025-26 academic year is March 15, 2025. You must submit your FAFSA prior to that date to be considered for all institutional need-based aid opportunities.
Am I eligible for The Stephens Promise program if I am returning to college to finish my degree?
Yes, as long as it is your first bachelor’s degree. If a student has already received a bachelor’s degree, they are not eligible for the Stephens Promise.
Does The Stephens Promise apply to graduate school?
No. The Stephens Promise is only for students working towards their first bachelor’s degree.
When will applications for this be open?
If you apply to Stephens as an undergraduate student for fall of 2024 or after, file your FAFSA and meet the program requirements, you will be eligible for The Stephens Promise.
Is The Stephens Promise a loan forgiveness program?
No, it is a promise program. Promise Programs are place-based scholarship programs that make college tuition free for residential students who meet specific criteria set by the institution. Many higher education institutions and states offer promise programs to improve access and affordability.
What does “residential student” mean?
Students must live on campus in order to be eligible for the program.
Is this open to all students in the U.S., or just students who live in Missouri?
This is open to all undergraduate students who are eligible to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
What about international students?
This is open to students who are eligible to receive federal aid, so international students are not eligible.
When will I know if I am eligible?
The Office of Financial Aid will not know until they receive your 2025-2026 FAFSA.
Can students who had to drop out due to financial issues benefit from this program?
Yes. All re-admitted students are eligible, as long as they meet all other criteria and are in good standing with the institution.
I have more questions about Financial Aid at Stephens. Where do I find that information?
You can visit our main Financial Aid webpage or contact the Office of Financial Aid directly. We are here to help you!
Still have questions?
Office of Financial Aid
(573) 876-7106, Ext. 4106
(573) 876-2320
finaid@stephens.eduLela Raney Wood Hall 216, Campus Box 2124