- BYU introduces the Cougar Pell Promise to aid cash-strapped students with tuition.
- Eligible students can receive aid for up to eight semesters by applying in high school.
- Director John Curl emphasizes the importance of completing FAFSA and scholarship applications.
PROVO — Brigham Young University consistently claims a spot near the top of national "Best Value Schools" lists.
Sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, BYU's tuition prices are subsidized by Latter-day Saint tithing funds. "In principle, each student attending BYU is on scholarship," states the school's admissions page.
But for many high school students hoping to enroll at BYU, tackling the cost of attending college still presents a cash burden.
Financial aid officials at the Provo institution say there's a solution.
BYU's "Cougar Pell Promise" is a "last-dollar in commitment" program that covers — or top off — the member's tuition amount after other free aid resources have been applied, according to BYU. "Free aid" includes Pell Grants, department scholarships and off-campus scholarships.
And, yes, an incoming BYU student is eligible for the program for up to eight semesters — or the traditional number of semesters required to finish an undergraduate degree.
"We know that low-income students are among the most vulnerable in not persisting and completing a degree — so this program is really meant to help them know that they have this funding available to them for up to eight semesters," BYU Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships John Curl told the Deseret News.
The Cougar Pell Promise is designed for incoming freshmen who qualify for Pell Grants. Aspiring BYU students are required to apply to be part of the program during their senior year of high school.
"So as they're graduating and they're applying to BYU, they would need to submit their free application for federal student aid, or FAFSA, to us — and also complete a scholarship application by the appropriate deadlines," added Curl.
Time is of the essence. BYU's online scholarship application deadline for 2026 is Feb. 1.
Curl added that BYU's "value school" reputation is well-earned. But for a cash-stretched BYU student with a Pell Grant that only pays part of his or her tuition, "this program would come in and pay that remaining amount.
"And for the most needy students, they can qualify for an additional amount — which would go up to 200% of Latter-day Saint tuition."
Avoid 'self-selecting out' of financial aid
Curl encouraged BYU students of all backgrounds to explore financial aid opportunities. "So many students self-select 'out' by either not completing their FAFSA or not completing the scholarship application."
Many high school students considering applying to BYU are also planning to serve Latter-day Saint missions immediately after graduating. But Curl said would-be BYU students should apply while in high school, regardless of their mission plans.
"We encourage them that they must apply while they're in high school," he said. "So apply for BYU and get admitted — but also complete your FAFSA and your scholarship application.
"Get approved for this program and then defer it."
To remain eligible each year, program recipients must complete the FAFSA and scholarship application annually, register as a full-time student and maintain a 2.0 GPA.
Visit the Cougar Pell Promise page for additional information.
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Jason Swensen
