In 2007, the University of Louisville initiated a special program called the Cardinal Covenant in response to college costs and the challenge for students from low-income families to fund their education. The University of Louisville's Cardinal Covenant is the first program of its kind in the state of Kentucky. This program will make college attainable for the 22.6% of Kentucky families living at or below 150% of the federal poverty level as published by the U.S. Census Bureau (Data obtain from the U.S. Census Bureau).

The University of Louisville will make a promise to incoming freshmen who meet the following criteria to award enough gift assistance from federal, state, private, and institutional sources to cover their direct costs (tuition, room, board, and books). Students will be able to graduate debt free as long as they graduate within five years and remain Pell Grant eligible each year.

• Submit application and all required credentials (test scores and high school transcript) by Feb. 15th.

• Meet academic requirements of a 20 ACT composite score and 2.5 High School GPA by Feb. 15th.

• Be a resident of Kentucky

• Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year by the March 15 priority deadline

• A complete financial aid file including submission of all requested documentation (i.e. verification) to our office by April 15th. Students who overlook required signatures or who submit requested documentation after this deadline, are not guaranteed funding and will be awarded based on remaining availability of funds.

• Meet all Pell Grant eligibility requirements
• If designated a Cardinal Covenant recipient register for new student orientation by May 1
• If designated a Cardinal Covenant recipient sign and submit Cardinal Covenant Terms of Agreement
• Enroll full time, 12 hours or more each semester
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as defined at U of L for continued eligibility to receive federal aid
• Meet academic requirements of school or college to continue enrollment

• Maintain required minimum eligibility for all awarded institutional and state funds
• Have an annual family income at or below 150% of the 2009 federal poverty guidelines as published by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) . Below is the chart published for 2009.

 *For each additional person add, $5,610

The most important action that a student can take at this time is to ensure that they complete the 2009-2010 FAFSA by the March 15, 2009 priority deadline. In addition, students should work with the Office of Admissions to be certain they have submitted all required applications and documentation for acceptance at U of L for Fall 2009.

If a student must leave the university due to special circumstances they may be eligible for a leave of absence. If there are unique circumstances that require students to take a break from attendance and they are a Cardinal Covenant student, a 2008-2009 leave of absence request must be submitted. All requests will be reviewed, if approved a leave of absence for Cardinal Covenant purposes will be granted. Not all requests for a leave of absence will be approved. These requests must be submitted to Lindsay Driskell in the Student Financial Aid Office.