What is the Temple Promise?
The Temple Promise is a new last-dollar financial aid grant program designed to make a world-class education at Temple University more accessible and affordable for the best and brightest students regardless of financial means. 

For the 2025–2026 academic year, the Temple Promise program will begin with qualifying full-time undergraduate students residing in Philadelphia County, who earn admission to the university. It will ease educational costs for families by closing the remaining gap after other financial aid awards are applied toward in-state Pennsylvania undergraduate tuition and eligible fees. 

It is being offered to Philadelphia residents who graduate from high school in Spring 2024 and qualify for Fall 2025 admission and in-state tuition, with a family adjusted gross income of $65,000 or less with financial need as documented on the FAFSA. As a last-dollar award, the program covers the remaining tuition and fees after all other qualifying aid is applied to a student’s account. Temple is starting with students from Philadelphia County in the 2025–2026 academic year, with the potential of expanding the program’s geographical reach in future years. 

What costs are covered by the Temple Promise program?
The Temple Promise program covers eligible students’ full-time tuition and mandatory university services fee. It does not include room and board and costs for course materials or fees that are related to specific courses. To learn more about tuition and fees at Temple and an explanation of university fees, visit the Bursar’s Office website. 

How is the Temple Promise program offered?
The Temple Promise funding is need-based financial aid that covers the remaining cost of tuition and the mandatory university services fee not already covered by federal, state and other institutional funding, such as merit scholarships, and non-Temple tuition-restricted funding.

What is ‘last-dollar’ financial aid?
Last-dollar awards and programs are paid after all other financial aid resources have been awarded. The last-dollar amount is determined based on the balance between the aid that has been awarded and the aid that is still needed to help a student meet the cost of tuition and the mandatory university services fee.

Will I be able to attend Temple tuition free?
With the Temple Promise financial aid grant program, a qualifying incoming student can attend Temple University tuition-free for the 2025–2026 academic year or later. Any tuition owed will be paid from financial aid resources.

Are transfer students eligible for the Temple Promise program?
No, only first-year undergraduate students admitted for Fall 2025 are considered for the Temple Promise. 

New transfer students (U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens) with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher are considered for academic scholarships ranging from $2,000–$8,000, based on a review of previous college work during the application process. No separate application is required.

New transfer students (U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens) are also encouraged to file the FASFA for need-based or other financial aid funding. 

I graduated from high school a few years ago and am now applying to college for the first time. Can I be considered for the Temple Promise Program?
Only students who graduated from high school in Spring 2024 are eligible for consideration.

Are continuing students or graduate students eligible?
No, only first-year, full-time undergraduate students are eligible for the Temple Promise program..

Am I eligible for the Temple Promise program for more than one year?
Eligible students are reviewed for funding renewal each year, and those students who satisfy all criteria may receive the Temple Promise grant for up to eight full-time semesters.

What are the eligibility criteria for renewal after a student’s first year at Temple?
Eligible student must continue to have a permanent Philadelphia address, legally qualify for Pennsylvania in-state tuition, file the annual FASFA by Feb. 1, have an annual family adjusted gross income of $65,000 or less and have need, and continue to meet the financial academic progress (SAP) requirements. 

What if I take off a semester or academic year from Temple University and am not enrolled, will I still be eligible for the Temple Promise program?
Students’ eligibility will be reviewed for each academic year (fall and spring semesters) in which they are enrolled.

Can I attend Temple University part time and still receive the Temple Promise financial aid grant?
No, you must be enrolled full time to receive the Temple Promise grant. 

What if I lose eligibility in my sophomore year? Will I be considered again in my junior year?
You can regain eligibility if established criteria are met. 

What are the credit requirements?
Recipients of the grant must be full-time students, completing 12 to 18 credit hours each semester. 

Are expenses like the cost of room and board and course fees covered by the grant program?
No, the Temple Promise financial aid program only covers the cost of tuition and mandatory university fees; costs associated with room and board and course-specific class and lab fees are not covered.  

How much can I receive from the Temple Promise financial aid grant program?
Aid awarded by the Temple Promise program will cover a student’s tuition and eligible mandatory university fee balance after all other awards have been applied to the tuition account. 

I am receiving other grants and awards that are only applicable towards tuition, not housing, food, or other expenses. Can I still receive the Temple Promise grant?
Yes, provided those other awards do not fully cover your tuition and fees. The Temple Promise program covers the remaining cost of in-state tuition after all other federal, state and institutional scholarships and grants, and other non-Temple tuition-restricted scholarships and grants have been applied to a student’s tuition account. 

Do I have to take out student loans?
You might. There will be costs other than tuition and mandatory university fees associated with attending Temple. You may need funds for room, board, textbooks and other expenses. You should discuss your need and eligibility for loans with Student Financial Services. 

What expenses does the grant cover?
The Temple Promise program only covers a student’s net in-state tuition and mandatory university fees balance after all other awards and grants have been applied. The program does not cover room, board or course-specific class and lab fees. 

All eligible students will automatically be considered for the Temple Promise program if they are admitted as a first-year undergraduate student for Fall 2025 and they have filed the 2025–2026 FAFSA by February 1, 2025. Contact Student Financial Services if you have any questions.

How do I accept participation in the Temple Promise grant program?
Students should accept their offer of admission to Temple by paying their enrollment deposit through their TUportal.

Is the Temple Promise program available for summer courses?
No, the Temple Promise grant is only available for fall and spring semesters. 

When will I hear that I am eligible for the Temple Promise program?
Students should receive confirmation about their eligibility in Spring 2025. 

Who can I contact at Temple with questions about the Temple Promise grant program?
Contact Temple’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions by calling 215-204-7200 or toll-free at 888-340-2222. If you have questions about financial aid options in general, please contact Student Financial Services.

How will Temple support me when I am a full-time student?
Temple University provides students with a comprehensive array of support resources and services, including financial aid resources, to help them succeed throughout their time here.